Diseases and Abnormal Conditions Respiratory System Diseases and Abnormal Conditions

1. Asthma a. Bronchospasms narrow the openings of the bronchioles, mucus production increases and edema develops in the mucosal membrane. b. Caused by sensitivity to an allergen such as dust, pollen, animals, medications, or foods c. Symptoms (1) Dyspnea and wheezing (2) Coughing with expectoration of sputum (3) Tightness in chest d. Treatment (1) Bronchodilators to enlarge the bronchioles (2) Epinephrine and anti-inflammatory medications (3) Oxygen therapy e. Identification and elimination of or desensitization to allergens causing the problem is important in preventing asthma attacks

2. Bronchitis a. Inflammation of the bronchi and bronchial tubes b. Acute bronchitis (1) Usually caused by an infection (2) Characterized by a productive cough, dyspnea, rales (bubbly or noisy breath sounds), chest pain, and fever (3) Treated with antibiotics, expectorants to remove excessive mucus, rest, and drinking large amounts of water

c. Chronic bronchitis (1) Occurs after frequent attacks of acute bronchitis and long-term exposure to pollutants or smoking (2) Characterized by chronic inflammation, damaged cilia, and enlarged mucous glands (3) Symptoms aa. Excessive mucus resulting in a productive cough bb. Wheezing and dyspnea cc. Chest pain dd. Prolonged expiration of air (4) Treatment but no cure aa. Antibiotics and bronchodilators bb. Respiratory therapy

3. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) a. Any chronic lung disease that results in obstruction of the airways b. Disorders such as chronic asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and tuberculosis lead to COPD c. Smoking is the primary cause, but allergies and chronic respiratory infections are also factors d. Treatment methods include bronchodilators, mucolytics (loosen mucus secretions), and cough medications e. Prognosis is poor because damage to the lungs causes a deterioration of pulmonary function leading to respiratory failure and death

4. Emphysema a. Noninfectious chronic respiratory condition b. Occurs when walls of the alveoli deteriorate and lose their elasticity (1) Carbon dioxide remains trapped in the alveoli (2) Poor exchange of gases c. Most common causes are heavy smoking and prolonged exposure to air pollutants d. Symptoms (1) Dyspnea and a feeling of suffocation (2) Pain and a barrel chest (3) Chronic cough (4) Cyanosis (5) Rapid respirations with prolonged expiration (6) Eventual respiratory failure and death e. Treatment but no cure (1) Avoiding smoking (2) Bronchodilators (3) Breathing exercises (4) Prompt treatment of respiratory infections (5) Oxygen therapy and respiratory therapy

5. Epistaxis, or nosebleed a. Occurs when capillaries in nose become congested and bleed b. Causes (1) Injury or blow to the nose (2) Hypertension (3) Chronic infections (4) Anticoagulant drugs (5) Blood diseases such as hemophilia or leukemia c. Treatment (1) Compress nostrils toward the septum, elevate the head and tilt it slightly forward, and apply cold compresses (2) At times, it is necessary to insert nasal packs or to cauterize (burn and destroy) the bleeding vessels (3) Eliminate an underlying cause, such as hypertension

6. Influenza or flu a. Highly contagious viral infection of the upper respiratory system with a sudden onset b. Symptoms (1) Chills and fever (2) Cough, sore throat, and runny nose (3) Muscle pain and fatigue c. Treatment (1) Bed rest and fluids (2) Analgesics for pain and antipyretics for fever (3) Antibiotics are not effective against viruses, but they are given at times to avoid secondary infections such as pneumonia d. Immunization with a flu vaccine (1) Recommended for the elderly, individuals with chronic diseases, pregnant women, and health care workers (2) Many different viruses cause influenza, so vaccines are developed each year to immunize against the most common viruses identified

7. Laryngitis a. Inflammation of the larynx and vocal cords b. Frequently occurs with other respiratory infections c. Symptoms (1) Hoarseness or loss of voice (2) Sore throat (3) Dysphagia, or difficulty swallowing d. Treatment (1) Rest and fluids (2) Limited use of the voice (3) Medications if an infection is present

8. Lung cancer a. Leading cause of cancer death in men and women b. A preventable disease because the main cause is exposure to carcinogens in tobacco through smoking or through exposure to secondhand smoke c. Three common types of lung cancer (1) Small cell (2) Squamous cell (3) Adenocarcinoma d. Symptoms (1) None in the early stages (2) Chronic cough (3) Hemoptysis: coughing up bloodtinged sputum (4) Dyspnea and chest pain (5) Fatigue and weight loss e. Prognosis is poor since the disease is usually advanced before it is diagnosed f. Treatment: surgical removal of the cancerous sections of the lung, radiation, and/or chemotherapy

9. Pleurisy a. Inflammation of pleura, or membranes of the lungs b. Usually occurs with pneumonia or other infections c. Symptoms (1) Sharp stabbing pain while breathing (2) Crepitation, or grating sounds, in the lungs (3) Dyspnea and fever d. Treatment (1) Rest (2) Medications to relieve pain and inflammation (3) If fluid collects in the pleural space, a thoracentesis (withdrawal of fluid through a needle) is done to remove fluid and prevent compression of the lungs

10. Pneumonia a. Inflammation or infection of the lungs with a buildup of fluid or exudate in the alveoli b. Usually caused by a bacteria, a virus, a protozoa, or chemicals c. Symptoms: chills, fever, chest pain, productive cough, dyspnea, and fatigue d. Treatment: bedrest, oxygen therapy, fluids, antibiotics if indicated, respiratory therapy, and pain medication

11. Rhinitis a. Inflammation of nasal mucous membrane resulting in a runny nose, watery eyes, sneezing, soreness, and congestion b. Common causes are infections and allergens c. Treatment: fluids and medications to relieve congestion

12. Sinusitis a. Inflammation of mucous membrane lining the sinuses b. Usually caused by a bacteria or virus c. Symptoms (1) Headache, pressure, or dizziness (2) Thick nasal discharge and congestion (3) Loss of resonance in the voice d. Treatment (1) Antibiotics if indicated (2) Analgesics for pain (3) Decongestants to loosen secretions (4) Moist inhalations (5) Surgery in chronic sinusitis to open the cavities and encourage drainage

13. Sleep Apnea a. Condition in which an individual stops breathing while asleep, causing a measurable decrease in blood oxygen levels b. Two main kinds of sleep apnea: obstructive and central c. Obstructive sleep apnea is caused by blockage in air passage that occurs when muscles that keep airway open relax and allow tongue and palate to block the airway d. Central sleep apnea is caused by a disorder in the brain’s respiratory control center e. Condition is more common in men f. Factors such as obesity, hypertension, smoking, alcohol ingestion, and/or the use of sedatives may increase severity g. Diagnosed when more than five periods of apnea lasting at least ten seconds each occur during an hour of sleep (1) Periods of apnea lower the blood oxygen level (2) Causes the brain to awaken the individual, who then gasps for air and snores loudly (3) Interruption of the sleep cycle leads to excessive tiredness and drowsiness during the day

h. Treatment involves losing weight, abstaining from smoking and the use of alcohol or sedatives, and sleeping on the side or stomach i. In more severe cases, a continuous positive airway pressure or CPAP (pronounced see-pap) is used to deliver pressure to the airway to keep it open while the individual sleeps (1) CPAP consists of a mask that fits securely against the face (2) Tubing connects the mask with a blower device that can be adjusted to deliver air at different levels of pressure j. Treatment of central sleep apnea usually involves the use of medications to stimulate breathing

14. Tuberculosis (TB) a. Infectious disease of the lungs caused by the bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis b. At times, white blood cells surround invading TB organisms (1) Wall them off, creating a nodule called a tubercle (2) Organisms remain dormant in the tubercle (3) Can cause an active case of tuberculosis later if body resistance is lowered c. Symptoms of an active case of TB (1) Fatigue and chest pain (2) Fever and night sweats (3) Weight loss (4) Hemoptysis, or coughing up bloodtinged sputum d. Treatment (1) Administration of drugs for one or more years to destroy the bacteria (2) Good nutrition and rest e. In recent years, a new strain of the TB bacterium that is resistant to drug therapy has created a concern that tuberculosis will become a widespread infectious disease

15.Upper respiratory infection (URI), or common cold a. Inflammation of mucous membrane lining upper respiratory tract b. Caused by viruses and is highly contagious c. Symptoms: fever, runny nose, watery eyes, congestion, sore throat, and hacking cough d. No cure and minimal treatment (1) Symptoms usually last about a week (2) Analgesics for pain and antipyretics for fever (3) Rest and increased fluid intake (4) Antihistamines to relieve congestion