Pathophysiology of Ventilation and Diffusion

Obstructive Lung Diseases

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Treatment: Inhaled corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone),Long-acting beta agonists (e.g., salmeterol)

Symptoms: Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness.

Pathophysiology: Reversible airway obstruction due to inflammation and hyperreactivity.

Asthma

Treatment: Bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol), Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone)

Symptoms: Chronic cough, sputum production, dyspnea.

Pathophysiology: Airflow limitation due to chronic inflammation and remodeling of airways.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Restrictive Lung Diseases

Pulmonary Fibrosis

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Pathophysiology: Scarring of lung tissue leading to stiffness and reduced lung volume.

Symptoms: Progressive dyspnea, dry cough.

Treatment: Oxygen therapy,Antifibrotic agents (e.g., pirfenidone)

Sarcoidosis

Pathophysiology: Granuloma formation in lungs leading to reduced compliance.

Symptoms: Dyspnea, fatigue, cough.

Treatment: Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), Immunosuppressants (e.g., methotrexate

Vascular Lung Diseases

Pulmonary Embolism

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Pathophysiology: Blockage of a pulmonary artery by a blood clot.

Symptoms: Sudden dyspnea, chest pain, hemoptysis.

Treatment: Anticoagulants (e.g., heparin),Thrombolytics (e.g., alteplase)

Pulmonary Hypertension

Pathophysiology: Increased pressure in pulmonary arteries leading to right heart failure.

Symptoms: Dyspnea, chest pain, edema.

Treatment: Vasodilators (e.g., sildenafil), Diuretics (e.g., furosemide)

Infectious Lung Diseases

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Pneumonia

Pathophysiology: Infection causing inflammation of the alveoli.

Symptoms: Cough, fever, chest pain, dyspnea.

Treatment: Antibiotics (e.g., amoxicillin),Antivirals (e.g., oseltamivir) for viral pneumonia

Tuberculosis

Pathophysiology: Chronic bacterial infection leading to granuloma formation.

Symptoms: Chronic cough, weight loss, night sweats.

Treatment: Antibiotics (e.g., isoniazid, rifampin), Long-term therapy (6-9 months)

Interstitial Lung Diseases

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Idiopathic Pulmonary Fibrosis (IPF)

Pathophysiology: Chronic and progressive fibrotic lung disease.

Symptoms: Chronic dry cough, progressive dyspnea.

Treatment: Antifibrotic agents (e.g., nintedanib), Pulmonary rehabilitation

Hypersensitivity Pneumonitis

Pathophysiology: Inflammatory response to inhaled organic dusts.

Symptoms: Cough, dyspnea, fever.

Treatment: Corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), Avoidance of antigen exposure

Pleural Diseases

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Pleural Effusion

Pathophysiology: Accumulation of fluid in the pleural space.

Symptoms: Chest pain, dyspnea, cough.

Treatment:Thoracentesis (fluid drainage), Treat underlying cause (e.g., antibiotics for infection)

Pneumothorax

Pathophysiology: Air in the pleural space causing lung collapse.

Symptoms: Sudden chest pain, dyspnea.

Treatment: Needle decompression, Chest tube insertion

Neuromuscular Diseases

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Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS)

Pathophysiology: Progressive degeneration of motor neurons affecting respiratory muscles.

Symptoms: Muscle weakness, respiratory difficulty.

Treatment: Non-invasive ventilation (e.g., BiPAP), Supportive care

Myasthenia Gravis

Pathophysiology: Autoimmune disorder affecting neuromuscular junctions.

Symptoms: Muscle weakness, respiratory distress.

Treatment: Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors (e.g., pyridostigmine), Immunosuppressants (e.g., prednisone)