1. What are the functions of the respiratory system?
The major function of the respiratory system is gas exchange. Oxygen diffuses out of the lungs and into the blood, while carbon dioxide diffuses in the opposite direction, out of the blood and into the lungs. Also the process of gas exchange regulates the acid-base balance of the body - the component of homeostasis.
The respiratory system also helps maintain body temperature and eliminate excess water from the body. The movement of gas through the larynx, pharynx, and mouth allows humans to speak.
2. What is bronchitis? What types of it do you know? Speak on its causes, clinical pattern, treatment and complications.
Bronchitis is an acute inflammation of the air passages within the lungs. It occurs when the trachea and the large and small bronchi became inflamed because of infection or irritation. Bronchitis occurs most often during the cold and flu season, usually coupled with an upper respiratory infection. It also occurs when a person inhales irritating fumes of dust, chemical solvent
and smoke. Doctor diagnoses bronchitis on a basic symptoms and a physical examination. Methods of diagnostics: blood test, X-ray, oxygen saturation measurement, pulmonary function test.
Acute bronchitis most commonly occurs after an upper respiratory infection such as the common cold or a sinus infection. The affected person may have symptoms such as fever with chills, muscle aches, nasal congestion, and sore throat. The cough may be dry or may produce phlegm, which can last for 2 weeks. Wheezing may occur because of the muscular tightness and inflammation of the airways. Chronic bronchitis is characterized by the presence of a productive cough that lasts for three months at least two years. Chronic bronchitis occurs when person inhales dust, chemicals while working. Symptoms may include wheezing, dyspnoea. The cough is often worse after awakening and the sputum produced may have a yellow or green color.
Treatment: First of all, antipyretics such as aspirin, tylenol will help with fever and muscle aches. Drinking a lot of fluids is also important. A cool mist vaporizer can help decrease bronchial irritation. An over-the-counter cough suppressant may be helpful. Bronchodilator inhalers will help open airways and decrease wheezing. For natural treatment we can use honey, lemon, ginger, bay leaf. If the doctor suspects a bacterial infection, antibiotics will be prescribed for 4-5 days. And different immunomodulators should be given too. In some cases patients may have complications such as pneumonia, recurrent respiratory infections, emphysema, right-sided heart failure, pulmonary hypertension.
3. What is pneumonia? What are the causes and symptoms of pneumonia? Speak on its treatment and complications.
It’s an inflammation of lung tissue.
The infection causes the air sacs of the lung, where oxygen passes into the blood, to become clogged with pus and other secretions, so that the supply of oxygen to the blood is reduced.
Causes: Pneumonia is divided into viral and bacterial form. An infection leading to pneumonia can be due to a variety of agents, including fungi, protozoa, bacteria or viruses.
The resulting symptoms include shortness of breath, fever, chills, and persistent cough that brings up phlegm discolored by pus and sometimes by blood and chest pain. +chest pain, sweating, wheezing.
Treatment: Viral pneumonia does not respond to antibiotic treatment (anti-viral drugs), but antibiotics may be given if there is a bacterial infection. Other treatments given for all cases of pneumonia include medications to ease a cough and reduce pain. Patient may be hospitalized to get an oxygen therapy. Nonsteroidal anti-inflamatory drugs – redce pain and fever. Cough suppressants, mucolytic drugs – to thin sputum and ease cough.
The complications are pleural effusion, empyema, abscess, pulmonary oedema.
4. What is TB? What is its cause? What types of it do you know? What are the symptoms and possible complications of TB? Speak about treatment.
Pulmonary tuberculosis is a contagious bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis.
TB can develop after inhaling droplets sprayed into the air from a cough or sneeze by someone infected with bacteria.
It can occur in 2 forms: dormant disease and active form.
Symptoms: The primary stage doesn’t have symptoms. After the developing the TB, symptoms may include minor cough, mild fever, fatigue, unintentional weight loss, coughing up blood, phlegm-producing cough. Additional symptoms are wheezing, excessive sweating especially at night, chest pain, breathing difficulty, clubbing of fingers, unusual breath sounds.
Treatment is typically lasts 6 months with anti antitubercular drugs (Izonaizid, Rifamin). Hospitalization may be indicated to prevent the spread of the disease to others until the contagious period has been resolved.
Complications: drug resistance to particular TB strains, Relapse of the disease.