Respiratory and Circulatory Diseases

Respiratory and Circulatory Diseases
A. Emphysema
Emphysema is one of the chronic obstructive pulmonary disorders.
Emphysema is an irreversible enlargement of the air spaces distal to the
terminal bronchioles due to the destruction of the alveolar walls.
The result is decreased elastic recoil properties of the lungs. It is the
most common cause of death from a respiratory disease in the United
States. The number one cause of emphysema is smoking.
Symptoms: Signs and symptoms include dyspnea, malaise, barrel-
chest, prolonged expiratory periods with pursed lip breathing, and
tachypnea.
Treatment: Oxygen therapy, stopping smoking, and breathing
techniques to help control the dyspnea.
B. Influenza
Influenza, or flu, is an acute, highly contagious viral infection of the
respiratory tract. It occurs sporadically or in epidemics. It tends to affect
school children most often, but has its most severe effects on the elderly.
Transmission occurs from inhaling infected respiratory droplets or by
contact with a contaminated object.
Symptoms: The signs and symptoms include fever, chills, headache,
malaise, myalgia, rhinorrhea, and a non-productive cough.
Treatment: Usually includes bed rest, fluid intake, and mild analgesics
to relieve the pain. There are some antiviral agents which are effective in
treating the disease. Flu vaccines given in the fall are generally effective in
reducing susceptibility.
C. Lung Cancer
Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer in the United
States. Lung cancer typically develops in the wall or the epithelium of the
bronchial tree. The prognosis is generally poor.
Lung cancer is attributable to the inhalation of pollutants,
especially those found in cigarette smoke. There are no symptoms of lung
cancer in the early stages.
Symptoms: Later symptoms include dyspnea, hemoptysis,
hoarseness, wheezing, and weight loss.
Treatment: May include surgery, radiation therapy, and/or
chemotherapy.
D. Pneumonia
Pneumonia is an acute infection of the lungs which prevents gas
exchange. Pneumonia can be caused by viruses, bacteria, or the aspiration of
fluid.
Symptoms: a cough – you may cough up yellow or green mucus
(phlegm), shortness of breath, a high temperature, chest pain, an aching body,
feeling very tired, loss of appetite, making wheezing noises when you breathe –
babies may also make grunting noises, feeling confused – this is common in older
people.
Treatment: Treatment depends on the cause, but may include
antibiotics for bacterial infections or antimicrobials for viral infections.
Treatment also includes humidified oxygen therapy, adequate fluids,
bedrest, and analgesics to relieve the pain. Vaccines are available for those who
are elderly or have health problems to prevent the onset of pneumonia during
the winter months.
E. Tuberculosis
Tuberculosis, or TB, is a bacterial infection of the lungs is
characterized by pulmonary infiltrates. People who live in crowded
conditions or poorly ventilated areas are more likely to be infected. The
incidence of TB has risen in the United States due to rising homelessness,
drug abuse and HIV infection.
Symptoms: The signs and symptoms of TB include fatigue, weakness,
anorexia, weight loss, night sweats, and low grade fever.
Treatment: Includes the use of medications that may continue up to
one year in order to make sure the bacterial infection has been completely
treated.
F. Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease affecting people of all ages. It
is caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways, which
makes it harder to breathe.
Symptoms include: Shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain,
wheezing when exhaling, which is a common sign of asthma in children,
trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing,
coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such
as a cold or the flu.
Treatment: There are two types of medicines reliever and
preventer. Reliever relieve agony immediately by bronchodilatation.
Salbutamol, theophylline and terbutaline are included in this group.
Medicine such as inhaled steroids reduce swelling of bronchial tubes to
improve asthma and these prevent asthmatic symptoms. Most of asthmatic
medicines are available in oral and inhaled forms. Inhaled forms act quickly
have less side effects and are more effective even in very low dose. Therefore
inhaled medicines are preferred.

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