3.6 Respiratory Disorders
This section outlines diseases affecting the lungs and other parts of the respiratory system, categorized by the location of the infection or the nature of the disorder.
1. Upper Respiratory Tract Infections
Infections affecting the upper parts of the respiratory system, such as the sinuses and middle ear.
Sinusitis
Definition: An inflammation of the nasal sinuses (air-filled cavities in the skull). It can be acute (symptoms last 2-8 weeks) or chronic (symptoms last much longer).
Causes: Cold or wet climate, atmospheric pollution, smoke, dust, overcrowding, dental infections, and viral infections.
Symptoms: Fever, nasal obstruction, raspy voice, pus-like nasal discharge, loss of smell, and facial pain or headache that worsens when bending over.
Treatment: Antibiotics or sulpha drugs for bacterial infections; nebulization to reduce inflammation.
Otitis Media
Definition: An inflammation or infection of the middle ear.
Causes: Typically results from a malfunctioning eustachian tube, which prevents fluid drainage from the middle ear. This fluid buildup allows bacteria and viruses to grow. Triggers include colds, allergies, or a malformed eustachian tube.
Symptoms: Irritability, difficulty sleeping, tugging at ears, fever, fluid drainage from the ear, loss of balance, hearing difficulties, and ear pain.
Treatment: Antibiotic medication (oral or ear drops), pain and fever medication, or a combination.
2. Lower Respiratory Tract Infections
Infections affecting the lower parts of the respiratory system, including the lungs. The lower respiratory tract includes the trachea→, bronchi, bronchioles, and lungs where gas exchange occurs at the alveoli→.
Pneumonia
Definition: An infection that inflames the alveoli (air sacs) in one or both lungs, causing them to fill with fluid or pus.
Causes: Caused by various organisms, including bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Symptoms: Chest pain when breathing or coughing, confusion (especially in older adults), cough with phlegm or pus, fatigue, fever, chills, shortness of breath, and sometimes nausea or vomiting.
Treatment: Varies by cause:
- Bacterial: Antibiotics
- Fungal: Antifungal medications
- Viral: Often resolves on its own without medication.
In severe cases with pleural effusion (fluid between lungs and chest wall), fluid may be drained with a catheter or surgery.
Pulmonary Tuberculosis (TB)
Definition: A highly contagious, chronic bacterial infection of the lungs. The infection causes alveoli to burst and be replaced by inelastic connective tissue. The body forms a protective capsule called a tubercle around the bacteria. If these tubercles rupture, the infection can spread.
Cause: The bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
Symptoms: Low-grade evening fever, night sweats, weight loss, anorexia, depression, weakness, a dry cough with sputum, and a dull ache in the chest.
Treatment: A 9-month course of medication known as DOTS (Daily Observed Treatment Short Course), where medicine intake is supervised to ensure completion and cure.
Prevention: Good ventilation, covering mouth when coughing or sneezing, proper disposal of sputum (burying or burning), and use of masks in medical settings.
3. Disorders of the Lungs
Chronic conditions that impair lung function, often due to long-term exposure to irritants.
Emphysema
Definition: A lung disease where the walls of the alveoli are damaged, reducing the surface area for gas exchange. This can lead to trapped air in the lungs and less oxygen entering the bloodstream.
Causes: Smoking (main cause), marijuana, vaping, cigar smoke, air pollution, and dust.
Symptoms: Long-term smoker's cough, wheezing, shortness of breath (especially with light exercise), chest tightness, and increased mucus production.
Treatment: Quitting smoking, bronchodilators, corticosteroids, antibiotics, and anti-inflammatory medications.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Definition: A group of lung conditions causing breathing difficulties due to inflamed, damaged, and narrowed lungs. It includes:
- Emphysema: Damage to the air sacs.
- Chronic Bronchitis: Long-term inflammation of the airways.
Causes: Primarily smoking; also caused by long-term exposure to harmful fumes or dust or a rare genetic problem.
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, persistent chesty cough with phlegm, frequent chest infections, and wheezing.
Treatment: Stopping smoking, inhalers, pulmonary rehabilitation (exercise and education), and in rare cases, surgery or a lung transplant.
4. Effects of Smoking
Smoking has numerous detrimental effects on the respiratory system.
- Causes about 87% of lung cancer cases.
- Major cause of cancers of the mouth, larynx, and esophagus.
- Leads to lung diseases like chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
- Chemicals in smoke irritate air passages, causing a chronic smoker's cough.
- Damages or destroys cilia, increasing susceptibility to infections like pneumonia.
- Can immediately make breathing difficult and worsen asthma and allergies.
5. Cardiopulmonary Resuscitation (CPR)
Definition: Also known as mouth-to-mouth artificial respiration or resuscitation, it is a technique used to recover a person who has stopped breathing. The rescuer forces air into the victim's lungs.
Procedure:
- Place the victim on their back and loosen tight clothing.
- Clear the victim's mouth of any foreign objects.
- Tilt the head back and lift the chin to open the airway.
- Pinch the victim's nostrils closed.
- Place your mouth tightly over the victim's mouth.
- Blow into the air passage until the chest rises.
- Remove your mouth, listen for exhalation, and repeat.
- Continue until the person is revived or medical help arrives.