Respiratory Functions and Diseases

Asthma Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. Symptoms Cough with or without sputum production Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retractions) Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity Wheezing

Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by, and can lead to wheezing sounds. Common asthma triggers include: Animals (pet hair or dander) Dust Changes in weather (most often cold weather) Chemicals in the air or in food Exercise Pollen Respiratory infections, such as the common cold Strong emotions (stress) Tobacco smoke

Testing Prognosis X-ray Spirometry There is no cure for asthma With proper self management and medical treatment, most people with asthma can lead normal lives. Medications to prevent attacks. Medications to stop attacks.

Emphysema Emphysema occurs when the air sacs (alveoli) at the ends of your bronchioles are gradually destroyed. Alveoli -spherical air sacs — clustered like bunches of grapes In Emphysema, they turn into large, irregular pockets with gaping holes in their inner walls. Reduces the number of air sacs and keeps some of the oxygen entering your lungs from reaching your bloodstream.

In addition, the elastic fibers that hold open the small airways leading to the air sacs are slowly destroyed, so that they collapse when you breathe out, not letting the air in your lungs escape.

The main emphysema symptoms are: Shortness of breath Wheezing Chest tightness Reduced capacity for physical activity Chronic coughing, which could also indicate chronic bronchitis Fatigue Smoking is the leading cause of emphysema. Also some genetic component at the protein level in the lungs.

COPD Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases Symptoms a progressive disease that makes it hard to breathe. Combination of Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema Symptoms Coughing that produces large amounts of mucus Wheezing Chortness of breath Chest tightness Chronic bronchitis

In COPD, less air flows in and out of the airways because of one or more of the following: The airways and air sacs lose their elastic quality. The walls between many of the air sacs are destroyed. The walls of the airways become thick and inflamed (swollen). The airways make more mucus than usual, which tends to clog the airways.

Outlook Fourth leading cause of death in the United States. More than 12 million people are currently diagnosed with COPD. Symptoms are worse over time. No cure…only medications to help “breath” such as inhalers. Cause of COPD? = Exposure to irritants (long term) such as smoking. Some genetic component at the protein level in the lungs.

COPD and Lung Capacity Will have a lower Vital Capacity and a decreased total lung capacity. = harder to get O2 in the lungs and CO2 out, surface area has been diminished due to the disease. http://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/14 1287.php Video

Respiratory Functions Airflow and lung volume measurements can be used to differentiate obstructive from restrictive (loss of lung, etc) pulmonary disorders characterize severity, measure responses to therapy Measurements are typically reported as absolute flows and volumes and as percentages

O2 Concentration When your body detects too much CO2, (by H+ ions), your body breaths to decrease the amount. Therefore, when you exercise, the body is using more energy, producing more CO2 and is demanding more oxygen. Oxygen concentration is going to go up to meet the demands.