Respiratory Disorders

 

 Respiratory Disorders
There are a number of respiratory disorders which affect people. The percentage of such disorders is particularly in Pakistan. It is due to the more concentration of air pollutants not only in the urban but also in rural atmosphere. Some of the important respiratory disorders are described next.

 

 Bronchitis

Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi or bronchioles. It results in excessive secretions of mucus into the tubes, leading to the swelling of tubular walls and narrowing of tubes. It is caused by viruses, bacteria or exposure to chemical irritants (e.g. tobacco smoke).
The symptoms of   bronchitis include a cough, mild wheezling, and fever, chilis and shortness breathe (especially when doing hard jobs).

Emphysema

Emphysema is the destruction of the walls of alveoli. It results in larger sacs but with less surface area for gaseous exchange. As lung tissue breaks down, the lung does not come back to its original shape after exhalation. So air cannot be pushed out and is trapped in the lungs.
Symptoms of Emphysema include shortness of breath, fatigue, recurrent respiratory infection and weight loss. By the time the symptoms of emphysema appear, the patient has usually lost 50% to 70% of his/her lung tissue. The level of oxygen in blood may get so low that it causes serious complication.

Pneumonia

Pneumonia is an infection of lungs. If this infection affects both lungs, it is called double pneumonia. The most common cause of pneumonia is a bacterium, Streptococcus pneumoniae.Some viral and fungal infection may also lead to pneumonia.
The symptoms of pneumonia include a cold that is followed by a high fever, shivering and a cough with sputum production. Patient may become short of breath. The patient’s skin color may change and become dusky or purplish. It is due poor oxygenation of blood.                       
Vaccines are available to prevent pneumonia caused by S.pneumoniae.Antibiotics are used in the treatment of this type of pneumonia.

 

Asthma

Asthma is a form of allergy, in which there is inflammation of the bronchi, more mucous production and narrowing of the airways. All those factors which causes allergy is called allergens
The symptom of asthma is varying from person to person. The major symptoms include the shortness of breath, wheezing, cough and chest tightness.
The chemical with ability to dilate the bronchi and bronchioles are used in the treatment of asthma. Such medicines are given in the form of inhalers.

 

Lung cancer

                                Lung cancer is a disease of uncontrolled cell division in the tissue of lungs. The cell continue ton divide without any control and form tumors. The cellular growth may also invade adjacent tissues beyond the lungs.
The most common symptoms are shortness of breath, coughing and weight loss.