RESPIRATORY

DISORDERS

Tonsillitis

Laryngitis
Common cold
Bronchitis
Pneumonia

Pleurisy
Emphysema
Cystic fibrosis
Asthma
Lung cancer

TONSILLITIS

Tonsillitis is an
infection (usually
viral) of the tonsils
If a child has many
infections, the
tonsils are
surgically removed

TONSILLITIS

It is believed the
tonsils help prevent
bacteria and other
pathogens from
entering the body
therefore a removal
may increase the
number of illnesses
later in life

LARYNGITIS

Laryngitis is an
inflammation of the
larynx (vocal cords)
CAUSES: virus
allergies
straining
of voice

LARYNGITIS

When the larynx

is inflamed, the
vocal cords cant
vibrate properly
therefore the
voice is hoarse or
even non-existent
TREATMENT rest,
fluids, no talking!!

Upper Respiratory Tract

Infections: Common Cold
(Infectious Rhinitis)

Viral (rhinovirus)
Spread through respiratory droplets
Highly contagious
Initially mucous membranes of nose,
pharynx swollen, increased secretions
Signs

Nasal congestion and watery discharge

Mouth breathing
Change in tone of voice
Sore throat, headache, slight fever
Cough

COMMON COLD

Treatment rest,
fluids NOT
antibiotics it is
a virus
Presently, there
is no cure or
vaccine

COMMON COLD

The cold virus is

spread either
through droplets
in the air or direct
contact with an
infected person or
contaminated
surface (1 day
before symptoms
appear and up to
5 days after)

The best way to reduce the

chances of getting a cold

WASH HANDS!

BRONCHITIS
An infection of
the bronchi
2 types:
1. Acute caused
by a bacteria
- treated with
antibiotics

BRONCHITIS
2. Chronic long
term
- usually caused
by an irritant ie
smoking
- cilia become
damaged and
cant clear debris
- treatment quit
smoking

PNEUMONIA

The alveoli
become inflamed
and fill with
liquid
Gas exchange is
impaired and the
body becomes
starved for
oxygen

X-RAY OF PNEUMONIA

Patient has
pneumonia in the
right lung (note
white mass = fluid)
Lungs should
appear black on an
x-ray

Lobar
pneumonia
affects a lobe
of the lungs
(see x-ray),
and bronchial
pneumonia can
affect patches
throughout
both lungs.

Lobular pneumonia

TYPES OF PNEUMONIA
LOBULAR

BRONCHIAL

TREATMENT
BACTERIAL

VIRAL

Caused by the
bacterium
Streptococcus
pneumoniae
Treated with
antibiotics
Can be somewhat
prevented with the
pneumococcal
vaccine

Caused by a virus
Can be treated with
anti-viral medication
They are usually less
severe however a
secondary bacterial
infection can follow
which is then treated
with antibiotics

PLEURISY

The pleura is a sac

surrounding the lungs. It
consists of two layers, one
covering the lung
(visceral), while the other
covers the inside of the
chest wall or rib cage
(parietal). Between the
two layers is a space in
which a small amount of
fluid circulates to lubricate
the two surfaces as they
slide over one another
during breathing.

PLEURISY

Pleurisy refers to the

inflammation
(irritation, swelling,
stickiness) of the
pleura.
Pleurisy is not a
disease, but a
symptom of another
condition (e.g. virus or
bacterial infection).

SYMPTOMS &
TREATMENT
SYMPTOMS
Sharp, stabbing
pain in chest
usually localized
in one area

TREATMENT
Treat the cause
ie virus or
bacteria causing
the pleurisy

EMPHYSEMA

A chronic
respiratory
disorder
The alveolar walls
break down & lose
their elasticity
Surface area is
greatly reduced
breathing is
difficult

EMPHYSEMA

CAUSE: usually
from many years
of smoking
Effects are
permanent and
incurable

EMPHYSEMA treatments
Low-flow oxygen
tank delivers a
higher oxygen
concentration
Lung volume
reduction surgery
(LVR) removal of
damaged tissue to
let healthy tissue
work more
efficiently

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

Genetic condition
An abnormal gene
causes the cells
lining the alveoli
to secrete a thick,
sticky mucus
Mucus attracts
bacteria and
numerous
infections result

CYSTIC FIBROSIS treatments

There is no cure
life expectancy is
usually low early
30s
Medicines are used
to thin the mucus
Antibiotics are
given for
infections

CYSTIC FIBROSIS

New treatments
include gene
therapy
An inhaler is used
to spray healthy
versions of the
abnormal gene
the healthy genes
can then make
proper mucus

ASTHMA

Asthma is a
chronic respiratory
disorder
Bronchi and
bronchioles are
affected
bronchiole
muscles tighten,
mucus is produced
breathing is
difficult

ASTHMA - causes

Generally it is
thought that
asthma is
somewhat
inherited
TRIGGERS
include pollen,
dust, smoke,
pets, exercise

ASTHMA - symptoms

Chest tightness
Wheezing
Night-time cough
Restricted
breathing

ASTHMA - treatments

IMMEDIATE
bronchodilators
give immediate
relief to tightened
bronchioles
Inhalers can be
metered - ie
medicine is forced
out by a chemical
propellant
powdered - no
propellant

ASTHMA - treatments

LONG-TERM some
patients use a
corticosteroid
treatment to control
spasms in the
bronchioles (eg
QVAR inhaler)
Patients with severe
asthma may even
take stronger
medications such as
Prednisone

Obstructive Lung Disease:

Lung Cancer

Primary or secondary; benign rare

Linked with cigarette smoking

Metastases develop frequently in lung
b/c:

Primary is major cause of death

Venous return and lymph vessels bring tumor

cells from distant site in body heart lung

Poor prognosis

Normal Lung vs. Cancerous

Lung

LUNG CANCER

Abnormal cells
multiply and form
malignant
tumours called
carcinomas
Carcinomas
impede healthy
lung tissue
making breathing
difficult

LUNG CANCER - causes

Carcinogens (cancercausing agents) in

cigarette smoke are the
leading cause of lung
cancer
Exposure to radon a
heavy gaseous
radioactive element
found in rocks, soil and
some buildings
Exposure to asbestos
found in some
insulation & ceiling
tiles

LUNG CANCER diagnosis

X-ray
CT scan (computed
tomography a
cross-section of the
lungs is taken)
Helical low-dose CT
scan can detect
very small tumours
(see right)

Lung Cancertreatment

Surgery on
localized lesions
Chemotherapy
and radiation
Poor prognosis
unless tumor in
early stages of
development

TRADITIONAL HEALING

Many cultures,
including native
Canadians have
used natural
treatments for a
wide variety of
illnesses for
many years

TRADITIONAL HEALING

White willow
tea made from
the bark
contains salicin
reduces fever
(acetyl salicylic
acid ASA =
Aspirin )

TRADITIONAL HEALING

Boswellia sap
from this tree is
used as an antiinflammatory
Used in the
manufacturing of
non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory
drugs for arthritis

TRADITIONAL HEALING

Seneca snakeroot
contains a milky
liquid used for
treating
snakebites
Also used as a
decongestant to
loosen mucus in
the lungs

TRADITIONAL HEALING

Pleurisy root
treats colds,
coughs,
bronchitis,
pneumonia, and
pleurisy

TRADITIONAL HEALING

Licorice root believed to help

relieve symptoms of common
cold
Rat root helps clear mucus
from lungs