Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases (COPD)
Asthma
Definition
Pathophysiology
Causes
Risk Factors
Signs and Symptoms
Diagnoses
Increased shortness of breath
Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu
Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
Chest tightness or pain
Is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing.
Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
Airborne substances, such as pollen, dust mites, mold spores, pet dander or particles of cockroach waste
Physical activity (exercise-induced asthma)
Air pollutants and irritants, such as smoke
Strong emotions and stress
Having a blood relative (such as a parent or sibling) with asthma
Having another allergic condition, such as atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
Being overweight
Being a smoker
Exposure to secondhand smoke
Signs that asthma is probably worsening
Asthma signs and symptoms that are more frequent and bothersome
Increasing difficulty breathing (measurable with a peak flow meter, a device used to check how well your lungs are working)
The need to use a quick-relief inhaler more often
Physical exam
Spirometry
Peak flow
Provocative testing for exercise and cold-induced asthma.
Treatment
Prevention and long-term control are key in stopping asthma attacks before they start
Long-term asthma control medications such as Inhaled corticosteroid e.g fluticasone furoate (Arnuity Ellipta)
Long-acting beta agonists such as salmeterol (Serevent)
is complex and involves airway inflammation, intermittent airflow obstruction, and bronchial hyperresponsiveness. is an exaggerated response to numerous exogenous and endogenous stimuli.
Chronic Bronchitis
Pathophysiology
is associated with hypertrophy of the mucus-producing glands found in the mucosa of large cartilaginous airways. As the disease advances, progressive airflow limitation occurs, usually in association with pathologic changes of emphysema
Causes
Definition
is defined as a cough that occurs every day with sputum production that lasts for at least 3 months, 2 years in a row. The major cause of chronic bronchitis is cigarette smoking
cigarette smoking
Dust
Bronchitis is a term that describes inflammation of the bronchial tubes (bronchi and the smaller branches termed bronchioles) that results in excessive secretions of mucus into the tubes with tissue swelling that may narrow or close off bronchial tubes.
Treatment
is to quit cigarette smoking
avoid air-borne bronchial irritants
medical treatments include bronchodilators, steroids, and oxygen therapy.
Risk Factors
smoking,
exposure to airborne chemicals
secondhand smoke,
other bronchial irritants.
dust
Signs and Symptoms
Cough and sputum production
Shortness of breath (dyspnea)
Wheezing
fatigue
headaches
Complications
respiratory failure,
pneumonia
difficulty breathing, sometimes severe,
Diagnosis
physical exam
the patient's breathing history
smoking history
family history of Chronic Bronchitis.
Chest X-Ray
Cold Air
Bronchiectasis Pulmonary Emphysema
Pathophysiology
Is best explained on the basis of decreased pulmonary elastic recoil. At any plural pressure, the lung volume is higher than normal.
Definition
A condition in which the air sacs of the lungs are damaged and enlarged, causing breathlessness.
A condition in which air is abnormally present within the body tissues
Causes
Tobacco smoke
Marijuana smoke
Air pollution
Chemical fumes and dust
is caused by an inherited deficiency of a protein that protects the elastic structures in the lungs. It's called alpha-1-antitrypsin deficiency emphysema.
Risk Factors
Smoking it is most likely to develop in cigarette smokers, but cigar and pipe smokers also are susceptible.
Age. Although the lung damage that occurs in emphysema develops gradually
Exposure to secondhand smoke
Occupational exposure to fumes or dust
Exposure to indoor and outdoor pollution.
Diagnoses
your medical history and do a physical exam
chest X-ray
Lab tests
Blood taken from an artery in your wrist can be tested to determine how well your lungs transfer oxygen into, and remove carbon dioxide from, your bloodstream.
Lung function tests
These noninvasive tests measure how much air your lungs can hold and how well the air flows in and out of your lungs.
Treatment
can't be cured, but treatments can help relieve symptoms and slow the progression of the disease.
Bronchodilators. These drugs can help relieve coughing, shortness of breath and breathing problems by relaxing constricted airways.
Inhaled steroids. Corticosteroid drugs inhaled as aerosol sprays reduce inflammation and may help relieve shortness of breath.
Antibiotics. If you have a bacterial infection, like acute bronchitis or pneumonia, antibiotics are appropriate.
Therapy
Pulmonary rehabilitation
Nutrition therapy.
Supplemental oxygen Therapy
Signs and Symptoms
You're so short of breath, you can't climb stairs
Your lips or fingernails turn blue or gray with exertion
You're not mentally alert
Prevention
don't smoke
avoid breathing secondhand smoke
Wear a mask to protect your lungs if you work with chemical fumes or dust.
Additionally, the altered relation between pleura and alveolar pressure facilitates expiatory dynamic compression of airways.