RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
INTRODUCTION Respiratory disorders refers to the medical term that include different pathological conditions affecting the organs and tissues of respiratory system which make gas exchange possible in higher organisms. Respiratory diseases range from mild and self-limiting, such as the common cold, to life-threatening entities like bacterial pneumonia, pulmonary embolism, and lung cancer. Respiratory infections are consider to be the greatest contributor to the overall burden of disease in the world. Respiratory disease causes an immense worldwide health burden.
Among them the most common diseases are Asthma and Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (COPD) is the major cause of morbidity, mortality, and health-care costs worldwide. These diseases represent a challenge to the public health in both industrialized and developing countries because of their frequency and economic impact.
FACTORS OF RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Exposure to tobacco smoke Exposure to air pollution Malnutrition Multiple early lung infections Poverty
COMMON RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease is a broad term that indicates several respiratory illnesses. It is characterized by persistent airflow limitation that is usually progressive and associated with an enhanced chronic inflammatory response in the airways and the lungs. It is the fourth leading cause of death in the world. Treatment: Smoking cessation Bronchodilator therapy Pulmonary rehabilitation
BRONCHIECTASIS Bronchitis is an inflammation of the bronchi. In chronic bronchitis the airways become narrow, scarred, and partly clogged with mucus, making it difficult to breathe. These inflammatory reactions may be caused by different factors like viruses as well as allergens, airborne particles, smoking and environmental pollutants. Treatment : Intake of acetaminophen and aspirin can alleviate patients with fever and muscle aches. A cool mist vaporizer or humidifier can help decrease bronchial irritation.
ASTHMA It is a chronic disease that affects the airways of the lungs. Your airways are the breathing tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. When you have asthma, your airways become swollen. Treatment: There are some medicines that can be used to keep your airways open and reduce the swelling, so air can move in and out of your lungs more easily.
PNEUMONIA Pneumonia is typically caused by a virus or bacteria to which individual is expose in the environment or is passed from another person. It is a lung infection which effect the air sacs of the lungs. Symptoms: Cough, Fever, Shaking chills Shortness of breath, can range from mild to severe.
TUBERCULOSIS Tuberculosis (TB) is contagious, airborne disease caused by germs that are spread from person to person through the air. TB usually affects the lungs, but it can also affect other parts of the body, such as the brain, the kidneys, or the spine. Cause: Main cause of TB is bacterium Mycobacterium tuberculosis Symptoms: Feelings of sickness or weakness Weight loss, fever, and night sweats
PULMONARY EDEMA Pulmonary edema is a condition caused by excess fluid in the lungs. This fluid collects in the numerous air sacs in the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms: A feeling of suffocating or drowning Wheezing or gasping for breath Anxiety, restlessness or a sense of apprehension A cough that produces frothy sputum that may be tinged with blood
PREVENTION OF RESPIRATORY DISORDERS We can prevent these respiratory disorders by Avoiding exposure to tobacco smoke, home and workplace air pollutants Most importantly Smoking cessation Washing hands regularly with soap