RESPIRATORY SYSTEM DISORDERS

SBI 3C: DECEMBER 2010

COMMON COLD/INFLUENZA: Infection of respiratory tract Mild discomfort Congestion due to production of mucus which

stimulates cough to clear contaminants from airways

Can be treated with antibiotics if bacterial

BRONCHITIS: Inflammation or swelling of bronchi and

bronchioles Can be caused by viral or bacterial infection or

by chemical irritants (smoke) Results in production of excess mucus Causes narrowing in airways making

breathing and gas exchange more difficult

PNEUMONIA: Lung infection caused by virus, bacterium or

fungus that leads to accumulation of fluid in lung

Symptoms: Cough, chest pain, difficulty breathing

Leading cause of death in young, old and chronically old

ASTHMA Involves inflammation of

bronchi and bronchioles In response to:

Allergic reaction Exercise Cold air

Causes excess mucus production, airways narrow

Asthmatics take inhalers that deliver corticosteroids to lungs and cause bronchi and bronchioles to open

PNEUMOTHORAX (COLLAPSED LUNG): The space between the wall

of the chest cavity and the lung itself fills with air, causing all or a portion of the lung to collapse

Air usually enters this space, called the pleural space, through an injury to the chest wall or a hole in the lung

Leads to severe oxygen shortage, low blood pressure, and cardiac arrest unless treated

PNEUMOTHORAX/COLLAPSED LUNG: Risk Factors:

Tall males, especially smokers, are characteristically at a higher risk of spontaneous pneumothorax

Traumatic pneumothorax occurs either because a hole in the chest wall, such as a stab wound or gunshot wound, allows air to enter the pleural space, or because of injury to the lung

SMOKING AND LUNG CANCER: Leading cause of cancer death in Canada Smoking is responsible for 87% of all lung

cancers Each year 330 nonsmoking Canadians die

from lung cancer due to secondhand smoke Tobacco use is the single most preventable

cause of death in the world

SMOKING AND LUNG CANCER: Begins in the cells of bronchi or

bronchioles Smoke travels to bronchi and

bronchioles and irritates cells Cells produce excess mucus to trap

foreign particles Chemicals in smoke stop cilia from

beating and removing contaminants from lungs

Tar and toxic materials become trapped in mucus and can cause mutations in cells

Mutated cells grow uncontrollably resulting in cancerous tumor

When smokers quit their respiratory system improves immediately and risk of developing cancer and other smoking-related diseases decreases over time