List of Diseases of the Respiratory System

Last Updated: Mar 11, 2011 | By Lisabetta DiVita

List of Diseases of the Respiratory System Photo CreditJupiterimages/Goodshoot/Getty Images
The respiratory system is composed of the trachea (windpipe), a set of lungs and its blood vessels and bronchioles (smaller airways).
Sometimes, an infection can invade the respiratory system. In some cases, an anatomical problem is to blame for respiratory
difficulties. Generally, problems with the respiratory tract can lead to diseases that cause trouble breathing.

Central Sleep Apnea

Central sleep apnea refers to a condition in which a person stops breathing while sleeping. According to MedlinePlus, the brain
actually interferes with the signaling necessary for the respiratory muscles to manage breathing.

Other symptoms of central sleep apnea include restlessness during sleep, morning headaches, sleepiness during the daytime and
chronic fatigue. Central sleep apnea may also include trouble swallowing, changes in the voice and numbness or tingling of the body,
especially if sleep apnea is due to a problem with the nervous system.

MedlinePlus says central sleep apnea sufferers may have problems with the brain stem, the structure located at the back of the brain.
Certain medical problems such as encephalitis ( a brain infection), a stroke, morbid obesity and medications like narcotic analgesics
(pain relievers) may lead to central sleep apnea.

Treatment for central sleep apnea involves receiving oxygen therapy or using a nasal CPAP (continuous positive airway pressure) or a
BiPAP (bilateral positive airway pressure). Both the CPAP and BiPAP are breathing devices worn over the nose and mouth while
sleeping. They provide air pressure, so that apnea spells are decreased. Sometimes, drugs can be used to promote breathing.

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Epiglottitis
The Mayo Clinic says epiglottitis is a potentially fatal condition in which the tissue that covers the windpipe (epiglottis) is swollen and
actually prevents air from entering the body.

Specific epiglottitis symptoms include a fever, trouble swallowing and difficulty breathing. Epiglottitis can also lead to hoarseness of
the voice, drooling and blue lips or skin.

Certain bacteria such as the Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) bacteria can lead to epiglottitis. Other bacteria that can lead to this
condition include streptoccoccus pneumonia, streptococcus A, B and C, candida albicans or varicella zoster. Sometimes, smoking
 heroin, swallowing an object or swallowing a caustic chemical may lead to epiglottitis, says the Mayo Clinic.

Treatment for epiglottitis includes securing a breathing tube in order to get enough oxygen. Sometimes, a tracheotomy (creating a hole
in the lower throat region to help in breathing) may be necessary. Intravenous antibiotics can be given to treat the bacteria causing
epiglottitis.

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Pneumonia
Pneumonia refers to a condition in which the lung becomes inflamed. According to MedlinePlus, symptoms of pneumonia include
shortness of breath, a cough, a fever, shaking chills and a headache. Pneumonia can also cause chest pain with inspiration (breathing
in), excessive sweating (diaphoresis) and low energy.

Bacteria such as staphylococcus aureus or viruses such as the respiratory syncytial virus can lead to pneumonia. MedlinePlus says
some risk factors for getting pneumonia include smoking cigarettes, living in a nursing home, suffering from diabetes or cirrhosis and
having trouble swallowing.

Treating pneumonia involves receiving intravenous fluid and antibiotics, such as levofloxacin, amoxicillin or cefuroxime, to destroy
the bacteria. Drinking fluids, resting and taking over-the-counter cough medications or pain relievers are additional ways to manage
pneumonia.

Term Definition Cause Effect (Symptoms)

Asthma Bronchial Asthma is May be precipitated by exposure to Treatment: is with bronchodilators, with or
the condition of subjects one or more of a wide range of without corticosteroids, usually
with widespread stimuli, including allergens, drugs administered via aerosol or dyr-powder
narrowing of the (such as aspirin and other NSAIDs inhalers, or if the condition is more
bronchial airways, and beta blockers), exertion, emotion, severe via a nebulizer. Oral
which changes in infections, and air pollution.The onset corticosteroids are reserved for patients
severity over short of asthma is usually early in life and who fail to respond adequately to these
periods of time (either in atopic subjects may be measures. Severe asthmatic attacks may
spontaneously or under accompanied by other manifestations need large doses of
treatment) and leads to of hypersensitivity, such as hay-fever corticosteroids.Avoidance of known
cough, wheezing, and and dermatitis; however the onset allergens, especially the house dust mite,
difficulty in breathing. may be delayed into adulthood or allergens arising from domestic pets, and
even middle or old age. food additives, will help to reduce the
frequency of attacks, as will the
discouragement of smoking.

Cardiac
Asthma occurs in left
ventricular heart failure
and must be
distinguished from
bronchial asthma, as
the treatment is quite
different.

Bronchitis Acute Bronchitis: Is caused by viruses or bacteria. Coughing

The production of mucpurulent
sputum.
Narrowing of the bronchi due to
 spasmodic contraction.

Chronic Bronchitis: The disease is particularly prevalent The patient coughs up excessive
Is not primarily an in Britain in association with cigarette mucus secreted by enlarged
inflammatory condition, smoking, air pollution, and bronchial mucus glands.
although it is frequently emphysema.
complicated by acute The bronchospasm cannot
infections. always be relieved by
bronchodilator drugs.

Emphysema Pulmonary Normal lung tissue contains: Severe emphysema causes

emphysema: breathlessness/severe breathing difficulty,
The air sacs (alveoli) of which is made worse by infections.
the lungs are enlarged
and damaged, which
reduces the surface Over-expansion of aveloar sacs
area for the exchange leads to:
of oxygen and carbon Loss of elasticity
dioxide.
Loss of surface area
Loss of lung capacity
Insufficient take-up of oxygen
It is particularly common in men in
Britain and is associated with
chronic bronchitis, smoking, and
advancing age.

Surgical emphysema: Air may escape into the tissues of the The presence of gas or air gives the
chest and neck from leaks in the affected tissues a characteristic crackling
lungs and oesophagus; occasionally feeling to the touch.
air escapes into other tissues during
surgery, and bacteria may form gas
in soft tissues. The presence of gas
or air gives the affected tissues a
characteristic crackling feeling to the
touch, and it may be visible on X-
rays. It is easily absorbed once the
leak or production is stopped.

Hay Fever A form of allergy due to Pollens of grasses, trees, and other The symptoms of sneezing, running or
the pollen of grasses, plants. blocked nose, and watering eyes are due
trees, and other plants, to histamine release and often respond to
characterized by treatment with antihistamines.If the
inflammation of the allergen is identified it may be possible to
lining of the nose and undertake desensitization.
sometimes of the
conjunctiva.

Pleurisy Inflammation of the Often due to pneumonia in the Pain on deep breathing.
pleura. underlying lung. The normally shiny
A characteristic rub can be heard
and slippery pleural surfaces lose
through a stethoscope.
their sheen and become slightly
sticky, so that there is pain on deep
breathing.
Pleurisy is always associated with
some other disease in the lung, chest
wall, diaphragm, or abdomen.

Pneumonia Inflammation of the lung Bacteria Symptoms include those of any infection:
caused by bacteria, in
 which the air sacs
(alveoli) become filled Pneumonias may be classified in
with inflammatory cells different ways:
and the lung becomes
solid. According to X-ray appearance,
According to the infecting
organism,
According to the clinical
environmental circumstances
under which the infection is
acquired (e.g. community-
acquired pneumonia, hospital-
acquired (nosocomial)
pneumonia).
Rhinitis Inflammation of the It may be caused by:
mucous membrane of
Virus infection (acute rhinitis),
the nose.
An allergic reaction (allergic
rhinitis).
Tuberculosis An infectious disease Bacillus inhaled into the lungs:
caused by the In pulmonary tuberculosis
bacillus Mycobacterium formerly known
tuberculosis and as consumptionand pthisis (wasting
characterized by the the bacillus is inhaled into the lungs
formation of nodular where it sets up a primary tubercle
lesions (tubercles) in and spreads to the nearest lymph
the tissues. nodes (the primary complex).
Natural immune defences may heal it
at this stage; alternatively the disease
may smoulder for months or years
and fluctuate with the patients
resistance. Many people become
infected but show no symptoms.
Others develop a chronic infection
and can transmit the bacillus by
coughing and sneezing.
Bacillus entering by mouth (usually in
infected cows milk):
Set up a primary complex in the
abdominal lymph nodes, leading to
peritonitis, and sometimes spread to
other organs, joints, and bones.
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Fever, Malaise, Headaches etc.,
together with
Cough and chest pain.
Treatment:
Appropriate antibiotic therapy, based on
the clinical situation and on
microbiological studies, results in
complete recovery in the majority of
patients.
In atrophic rhinitis the mucous
membrane becomes thinned and fragile.
In perennial (or vasomotor)rhinitis there
is overgrowth of, and increased secretion
by, the membrane.
Symptoms of the active disease include
fever, night sweats, weight loss, and the
spitting of blood. In some cases the bacilli
spread from the lungs to the bloodstream,
setting up millions of tiny tubercles
throughout the body (military
tuberculosis), or migrate to the
meninges to cause tuberculous
meningitis.
Treatment:Tuberculosis is curable by
various combinations of antibiotics.
Preventative measures in the UK include
the detection of cases by X-ray screening
of vunerable populations and inoculation
with BCG vaccine of those with no
immunity to the disease.