Transcript RESPIRATORY DISORDERS Tonsillitis Pleurisy Laryngitis

RESPIRATORY DISORDERS
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Tonsillitis
Laryngitis
Common cold
Bronchitis
Pneumonia
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Pleurisy
Emphysema
Cystic fibrosis
Asthma
Lung cancer
TONSILLITIS
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Tonsillitis is an
infection (usually
viral) of the tonsils
If a child has many
infections, the tonsils
are surgically removed
TONSILLITIS
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It is believed the
tonsils help prevent
bacteria and other
pathogens from
entering the body –
therefore a removal
may increase the
number of illnesses
later in life
LARYNGITIS
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Laryngitis is an
inflammation of
the larynx (vocal
cords)
CAUSES: virus
allergies
straining
of voice
LARYNGITIS
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When the larynx is
inflamed, the vocal
cords can’t vibrate
properly –
therefore the voice
is hoarse or even
non-existent
TREATMENT – rest,
fluids, no talking!!
Upper Respiratory Tract
Infections: Common Cold
(Infectious Rhinitis)
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Viral (rhinovirus)
Spread through respiratory droplets
Highly contagious
Initially mucous membranes of nose,
pharynx swollen, increased secretions
Signs
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Nasal congestion and watery discharge
Mouth breathing
Change in tone of voice
Sore throat, headache, slight fever
Cough
COMMON COLD
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Treatment – rest,
fluids – NOT
antibiotics – it is a
virus
Presently, there is
no cure or vaccine
COMMON COLD
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The cold virus is
spread either
through droplets in
the air or direct
contact with an
infected person or
contaminated
surface (1 day
before symptoms
appear and up to 5
days after)
The best way to reduce the
chances of getting a cold…
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WASH HANDS!
BRONCHITIS
An infection of the
bronchi
2 types:
1. Acute – caused by
a bacteria
- treated with
antibiotics
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BRONCHITIS
2. Chronic – long
term
- usually caused
by an irritant – ie
smoking
- cilia become
damaged and
can’t clear debris
- treatment – quit
smoking
PNEUMONIA
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The alveoli become
inflamed and fill
with liquid
Gas exchange is
impaired and the
body becomes
starved for oxygen
X-RAY OF PNEUMONIA
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Patient has
pneumonia in the right
lung (note – white
mass = fluid)
Lungs should appear
black on an x-ray
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Lobar
pneumonia
affects a lobe
of the lungs
(see x-ray),
and bronchial
pneumonia can
affect patches
throughout
both lungs.
Lobular pneumonia
TYPES OF PNEUMONIA
LOBULAR
BRONCHIAL
TREATMENT
BACTERIAL
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Caused by the
bacterium
Streptococcus
pneumoniae
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Treated with
antibiotics
Can be somewhat
prevented with the
pneumococcal vaccine
VIRAL
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Caused by a virus
Can be treated with
anti-viral medication
They are usually less
severe – however a
secondary bacterial
infection can follow –
which is then treated
with antibiotics
PLEURISY
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The pleura is a sac
surrounding the lungs. It
consists of two layers,
one covering the lung
(visceral), while the
other covers the inside of
the chest wall or rib cage
(parietal). Between the
two layers is a space in
which a small amount of
fluid circulates to
lubricate the two surfaces
as they slide over one
another during breathing.
PLEURISY
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Pleurisy refers to the
inflammation
(irritation, swelling,
stickiness) of the
pleura.
Pleurisy is not a
disease, but a
symptom of another
condition (e.g. virus or
bacterial infection).
SYMPTOMS & TREATMENT
SYMPTOMS
 Sharp, stabbing
pain in chest –
usually localized in
one area
TREATMENT
 Treat the cause –
ie virus or bacteria
causing the
pleurisy
EMPHYSEMA
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A chronic
respiratory
disorder
The alveolar walls
break down & lose
their elasticity
Surface area is
greatly reduced –
breathing is
difficult
EMPHYSEMA
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CAUSE: usually
from many years of
smoking
Effects are
permanent and
incurable
EMPHYSEMA - treatments
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Low-flow oxygen
tank – delivers a
higher oxygen
concentration
Lung volume
reduction surgery
(LVR) – removal of
damaged tissue to
let healthy tissue
work more
efficiently
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
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Genetic condition
An abnormal gene
causes the cells
lining the alveoli to
secrete a thick,
sticky mucus
Mucus attracts
bacteria and
numerous
infections result
CYSTIC FIBROSIS treatments
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There is no cure –
life expectancy is
usually low – early
30s
Medicines are used
to thin the mucus
Antibiotics are
given for infections
CYSTIC FIBROSIS
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New treatments
include gene
therapy
An inhaler is used
to spray healthy
versions of the
abnormal gene –
the healthy genes
can then make
proper mucus
ASTHMA
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Asthma is a chronic
respiratory
disorder
Bronchi and
bronchioles are
affected –
bronchiole muscles
tighten, mucus is
produced –
breathing is
difficult
ASTHMA - causes
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Generally it is
thought that
asthma is
somewhat
inherited
TRIGGERS –
include pollen,
dust, smoke, pets,
exercise
ASTHMA - symptoms
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Chest tightness
Wheezing
Night-time cough
Restricted
breathing
ASTHMA - treatments
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IMMEDIATE –
bronchodilators –
give immediate
relief to tightened
bronchioles
Inhalers can be
metered - ie
medicine is forced
out by a chemical
propellant
powdered - no
propellant
ASTHMA - treatments
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LONG-TERM –
some patients use
a corticosteroid
treatment to
control spasms in
the bronchioles (eg
– QVAR inhaler)
Patients with
severe asthma may
even take stronger
medications such
as Prednisone
Obstructive Lung Disease:
Lung Cancer
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Primary or secondary; benign rare
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Linked with cigarette smoking
Metastases develop frequently in lung b/c:
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Primary is major cause of death
Venous return and lymph vessels bring tumor
cells from distant site in body  heart  lung
Poor prognosis
Normal Lung vs. Cancerous Lung
LUNG CANCER
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Abnormal cells
multiply and form
malignant tumours
called carcinomas
Carcinomas impede
healthy lung tissue
– making breathing
difficult
LUNG CANCER - causes
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Carcinogens (cancercausing agents) in
cigarette smoke are
the leading cause of
lung cancer
Exposure to radon – a
heavy gaseous
radioactive element –
found in rocks, soil
and some buildings
Exposure to asbestos
– found in some
insulation & ceiling
tiles
LUNG CANCER - diagnosis
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X-ray
CT scan (computed
tomography – a
cross-section of
the lungs is taken)
Helical low-dose CT
scan can detect
very small tumours
(see right)
Lung Cancer—treatment
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Surgery on
localized lesions
Chemotherapy and
radiation
Poor prognosis
unless tumor in
early stages of
development
TRADITIONAL HEALING
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Many cultures,
including native
Canadians have
used natural
treatments for a
wide variety of
illnesses for many
years
TRADITIONAL HEALING
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White willow – tea
made from the
bark contains
salicin – reduces
fever (acetyl
salicylic acid – ASA
= Aspirin )
TRADITIONAL HEALING
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Boswellia – sap
from this tree is
used as an antiinflammatory
Used in the
manufacturing of
non-steroidal antiinflammatory
drugs for arthritis
TRADITIONAL HEALING
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Seneca snakeroot –
contains a milky
liquid used for
treating snakebites
Also used as a
decongestant to
loosen mucus in
the lungs
TRADITIONAL HEALING
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Pleurisy root –
treats colds,
coughs, bronchitis,
pneumonia, and
pleurisy
TRADITIONAL HEALING
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Licorice root – believed to help
relieve symptoms of common cold
Rat root – helps clear mucus from
lungs