Respiratory Problems
Hyperventilation Caused by panic Exhale too much CO2 pH of blood becomes too basic (increases pH #)
Pneumothorax: collapsed lung *air in the pleural cavity
Remove the air so lung can inflate
Pneumonia CAUSES OF PNEUMONIA Pneumonia can have over 30 different causes. The two main causes: Bacteria Viruses
Pneumonia is an inflammation or infection of the lungs. Air sacs fill with pus, mucus, and other liquid restricting oxygen from reaching the blood. Bronchial Pneumonia Lobar Pneumonia
“Walking Pneumonia” Less severe form where the patient isn’t confined to bed or hospitalized.
Bronchitis Inflammation caused by: Virus Bacteria Smoking Inhalation of chemical pollutants or dust Cells lining bronchi are irritated and cilia within them stop functioning. Air passages clogged by debris Heavy secretion of mucus develops, causing the characteristic cough of bronchitis
Asthma: *chronic disease; inflammation of the airways (smooth muscles around airways constrict)
Some key points Asthma is very common and ranges from mild to severe. Symptoms: Wheeze, cough and shortness of breath Certain 'triggers' may make symptoms worse: exercise, colds, pollen, allergy to pets, air pollution. Inhalers are the main treatment. Reliever inhalers relax the muscle in the airways to ease symptoms. Preventer inhalers reduce inflammation which stops symptoms from developing. A short course of steroid tablets may be needed now and then to treat a bad attack of asthma.
Emphysema
Alveolar sacs deep in the lungs are damaged.
Less oxygen available to the body. Elasticity of the air sacs and the airways are destroyed. Patients need to forcefully blow the air out to empty the lungs. Walls of the air sacs may tear. Excessive coughing may cause the airways to collapse as well. Lungs may become enlarged and less efficient Less surface area available for gas exchange. Heart has to work harder Less oxygen available to the body.
Smoking is responsible for the majority (80% - 90%) of emphysema.
Autopsy of Emphysema Patient (former patient) Click for crazy cool video! Autopsy of Emphysema Patient (former patient)
Sleep Apnea
Sleep Apnea "apnea“ (Greek root) means "without breath." People with sleep apnea stop breathing repeatedly during their sleep, sometimes hundreds of times during the night and often for a minute or longer. Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) is caused by a blockage of the airway usually when the soft tissue in the rear of the throat collapses and closes during sleep. In central sleep apnea, the airway is not blocked but the brain fails to signal the muscles to breathe.
Risk factors: male, overweight, and over the age of forty but sleep apnea can strike anyone at any age, even children. Airway collapses
Sudden Infant Death Syndrome: SIDS sudden death of an infant under one year of age which remains unexplained after a thorough case investigation, including performance of a complete autopsy, examination of the death scene, and review of the clinical history.
Sometimes babies die. No one knows the reason why. NO ONE IS TO BLAME. To help keep baby safe: Sleep on back Do not put anything in the crib with the baby (form bed; not soft toys or bedding) Don’t smoke around your baby Do not let your baby get too hot. Keep baby close but not in your bed Breastfeed as long as possible (decreases risk 50% but don’t know why) Don’t give infant honey (don’t know why this increases risk)
Don't let anybody smoke near your baby before or after it is born Smoking mothers have small babies which also increases risk of SIDS Infants are three times more likely to die of SIDS if their mothers smoked both during and after pregnancy!