Respiratory System Disorders

Question 1

smoking

Answer 1

• mucous covers epithelium of respiratory system
• tobacco smoke irritates epithelial cells
• toxins reach alveoli
• frequent coughing is attempt to clean itself
• 90% of lung cancer cases are due to smoking
• 13-14 years less life expectancy than a non smoker

Question 2

common cold

Answer 2

• caused by virus that enters the cells of the upper respiratory tract
• > 150 cold viruses
• spreads by mucous droplets containing the virus
• symptoms: nasal stuffiness, scratchy throat, headache, sneezing and coughing
• common in winter because people are confined and are in close contact w each other

Question 3

pneumonia

Answer 3

• bacterial or viral
• fluid builds up in the alveoli
• can cause death
• inflamed bronchiole causes mucous build up in alveoli

Question 4

bronchitis

Answer 4

• viral or bacterial infection (inflamed bronchi)
• acute: usually bacterial, responds to antibiotics
• symptoms: heavy mucous discharge, persistent cough
• chronic: caused by infection or the environment

Question 5

asthma

Answer 5

• compromised airflow during “attacks” due to inflammation, mucous secretion, and bronchoconstriction
• symptoms: wheezing, shortness of breath
• causes: exercise, allergens (hyper-responsiveness)
• treatment: inhalers (bronchodilators and/or steroid)

Question 6

emphysema

Answer 6

disease characterized by the alveoli becoming brittle and eventually rupturing

Question 7

pulmonary fibrosis

Answer 7

• environmental particles (contaminants) are inhaled
• causes: asbestos, silica, coal dust
• causes cells in the lungs to form fibrous CT, making the lungs less elastic and therefore less efficient