PATHOLOGY & PATHOPHYSIOLOGY DISORDERS OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM
DISORDERS OF THE RESPIRATORY SYSTEM Disorders of the Respiratory System Infections Degenerative Tumours Immune Trauma Congenital Upper respiratory tract infections Emphysema Chronic bronchitis Asthma Cystic fibrosis Influenza and common cold Bronchitis Pneumonia Tuberculosis
UPPER RESPIRATORY TRACT INFECTIONS Rhinitis Sinusitis Tonsillitis Common cold Influenza
THE COMMON COLD Learner Study Guide Pathology & Pathophysiology, Chapter 13, pages 92-100 Definition: Viral infection of the nose and nasopharynx Aetiology: Droplet spread. Pathogen can be any one of 200 viruses. Signs and symptoms: Runny nose, sneezing, sore throat, dry cough, headache and perhaps a mild fever Self-limiting Complications: Sinusitis, otitis media, acute bronchitis and pneumonia Children have an average of 6 to 10 colds per year Adults have 2 to 4 colds per year
TREATMENT OF THE COMMON COLD Learner Study Guide Pathology & Pathophysiology, Chapter 13, pages 92-100 Rest Drinking lots of fluids Isolate yourself from family and other people Can use a humidifier Echinacea Vitamin C Lysine Zinc Liquorice root its an expectorant
PREVENTION OF THE COMMON COLD Learner Study Guide Pathology & Pathophysiology, Chapter 13, pages 92-100 A person with the cold sneezes, coughs or blows his nose. Now the virus is on his hands. He touches money, a doorknob or a light switch. The virus survives for 3 hours. You touch the light switch and rub your itchy nose (as you have hay fever) and now the virus goes into your nose and spreads Best prevention: Frequent hand washing
INFLUENZA Flu Definition: A viral infection of the respiratory tract Spread: The viruses are usually inhaled Signs and symptoms: High fever, malaise, headache, myalgia, fatigue, runny nose, sore throat, coughing and sneezing Complications: Pneumonia, acute bronchitis infection of the lower respiratory tracts, otitis media, sinusitis, cardiomyopathy, post viral fatigue Recovery may be slow Prevention: Vaccinations? Treatment: Symptomatic, bed rest, lots of fluids
CROUP A contagious viral infection of the upper airways that causes a cough and sometimes also difficulty in breathing
CROUP Laryngotracheobronchitis Affects children from 3 to 7 years Signs and symptoms: Barking cough Difficulty breathing in Stridor Worse at night Treatment: Humidify, cold night air Danger: Bluish skin colour
ASTHMA Definition: A disorder where there is spasm, swelling and mucous production in the airways. This is reversible. Signs and symptoms: Intermittent tight chest, shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing Triggers: Emotion, exercise, URTI, allergens, drugs (aspirin, Beta-blockers), smoking, fumes Status asthmaticus (prolonged attack)
ASTHMA
ACUTE BRONCHITIS Learner Study Guide Pathology & Pathophysiology, Chapter 13, pages 92-100 Definition: Short-term inflammation of the bronchi Signs and symptoms: It presents as a persistent cough. If it is due to infection there will also be general signs and symptoms of infection Usually a complication of the common cold or flu Lasts 2 to 3 weeks
PNEUMONIA Definition: Inflammation of the lung tissue, usually caused by an infectious agent An infection in the lungs can cause the alveoli to become filled with dead white blood cells, mucous and fluid Signs and symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, fever Risk factors: URTI, elderly, bedridden, chronic chest disease, poor cough reflexes, foreign body in lungs
PNEUMONIA
PNEUMONIA Definition: Inflammation of the lung tissue, usually caused by an infectious agent An infection in the lungs can cause the alveoli to become filled with dead white blood cells, mucous and fluid Signs and symptoms: Chest pain, shortness of breath, coughing, fever Risk factors: URTI, elderly, bedridden, chronic chest disease, poor cough reflexes, foreign body in lungs In the USA, 2 million people develop pneumonia each year 40,000 to 70,000 people die Pneumonia is often acquired in hospitals
TUBERCULOSIS Definition: A bacterial infection of the lungs - a contagious airborne disease Spread: The bacteria becomes airborne and then inhaled Bacteria: Mycobacterium tuberculosis Risk factors: Overcrowding, malnutrition, extremes of age, diabetes mellitus, malignancy, emotional/physical stress, corticosteroid treatment, HIV
STAGES OF TUBERCULOSIS Learner Study Guide Pathology & Pathophysiology, Chapter 13, pages 92-100 Primary stage: The person inhales the bacteria. The bacteria spread to the alveoli. The macrophages engulf them, but cannot destroy the bacteria and instead the body walls the area off. This is called a tubercle. Tubercles are usually found in the lungs, but if some of the bacteria seep out into the blood or lymph, they set up the same process elsewhere in the body. Secondary stage/active stage: Approximately 10% of the people exposed to TB will develop the active disease later in life.
TUBERCULOSIS
TUBERCULOSIS Signs and symptoms of active stage: A persistent cough that starts dry and becomes productive with blood or pus in the phlegm Loss of weight Night sweats
CHRONIC BRONCHITIS Learner Study Guide Pathology & Pathophysiology, Chapter 13, pages 92-100 Definition: Cough with sputum on most days for 3 months or more. This pattern occurs for at least 2 years in a row. Signs and symptoms: Dyspnoea, recurrent respiratory tract infections, chronic coughing and chronic sputum production It often occurs simultaneously or as a predecessor to emphysema Complications: Pneumonia, emphysema or right-sided heart failure
EMPHYSEMA Definition: A condition in which the alveoli of the lungs become stretched out and inelastic. Exhalation is more difficult than inhalation Aetiology: Smoking, pollution, occupational dust exposure A person with healthy lungs spend about 5% of his energy on breathing. A person with advanced emphysema spends 50% of his energy on breathing. Signs and symptoms: Dyspnoea on exertion, a chronic cough, wheezing, weight loss, a barrel chest
EMPHYSEMA
TUMOURS OF THE RESPIRATORY TRACT Warning signs: Persistent cough Haemoptysis Shortness of breath Wheeze Chest pain Lymphadenopathy Hoarseness Loss of weight, loss of appetite (anorexia), malaise, anaemia Endocrine abnormalities Clubbing of the finger nails
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