Respritory System & Treatments

Asthma

Chronic inflammation and Bronchronstriction of airways (s) wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing

Asthma & COPD Treatments

Bronchodilators : opens airways to help breathe / Gluccorticoids : anti-inflammatory agents, reduce inflammation & swelling

Chronic obstruction Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Encompass conditions like Emphysema (damaged avioli causing shortness of breath) & Chronic Bronchitis(inflammation of airways & persistent cough)

COPD Treatments

Bronchodilators & Xanthines, Anticholingergics

Influenza

Caused by influenza viruses (s) high fever, sneezing, coughing, sore throat, severe aches & pains, severe fatigue

Influenza Treatments/Prevention

Yearly vaccination -antiviral meds -med relievers

Colds/Viral infections

Cause information in throat & nose membrane (Rhinitis) (S): low or no fever, sneezing, mild cough, sore throat, stuffy nose

Cold Treatment

OTC drugs - warmth - fluids

Cystic Fibrosis

Genetic disorder characterized by thick mucus production leading to long infection & breathing difficulties

Cystic Fibrosis Treatment

Physical Therapy to clear mucus - Antibiotics to fight infection - Inhalers to improve lung function

Tuberculosis

Bacterial lung infection that spreads through air

Tuberculosis Treatment

Must be Antibiotics typically several months & has no otc alternatives

Pneumonia

Inflation in the lungs, result from bacterial/viral/fungal infections

Pneumonia Treatments

Antibiotics -Antivirals -Bronchodilators -Corticosteroids to reduce inflammation

Respiratory Primary functions

Transport air (gases) to and from lungs- Oxygen to Carbon Dioxide-Supply oxygen to blood- Respiration facilitates gas exchange

Respiration Process

Involves mouth, nose, trachea, lungs & diaghram - Airflows to aveoli when intrapulmonary pressure < atmospheric pressure

Oxygen Exchange

Oxygen passes through larynx trachea, bronchi, bronchioles to alveoli - Oxygenated air crosses alveoli to capillaries, enters arterial blood, carbon dioxide (waste) exhaled

Upper respiratory tract

Nose/nsalbcavity, paranasal sinuses, pharynx, larynx. Larynx with epiglottis guards trachea entrance

Diaphragm

Some shaped muscle @chest bottom-contraction and relaxation enable breathing-carbon dioxide exhaled during relaxation-oxygen inhaled during contraction

Lower respiratory tract

Trachea, two lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

Lungs

Around 10%solid tissue, rest filled w air & blood. Conducting airways (bronchi & bronchioles) lines w cilia & respiratory mucosa-cartilage supports bronchi

Inhale

Diaphragm contracts air into lungs

Exhale

Diaphragm relaxes -air flows passively out of lungs

Upper respiratory tract

Nose/nasal cavity, parasanal sinuses, pharynx, larynx :: larynx w Epiglottis guards trachea entrance

Lower respiratory tract

Trachea, two lungs, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli

Alveoli

Exchange incoming oxygen w carbon dioxide from the blood