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
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