Respiratory Diseases

🫁 Structure of the Respiratory System

The respiratory system includes:
✅ Nose and Nasal Cavity – Filters and moistens the air.
✅ Pharynx and Larynx – Direct air to the trachea and prevent food from entering the airway.
✅ Trachea (Windpipe) – Transfers air to the lungs.
✅ Bronchi and Bronchioles – Branches that carry air within the lungs.
✅ Alveoli – Tiny air sacs where gas exchange (oxygen and carbon dioxide) takes place.
✅ Diaphragm – Muscle that helps the lungs expand and contract.

🌬️ Types of Respiratory Diseases

Respiratory diseases are broadly classified into:

1. Obstructive Diseases – Block or reduce airflow (e.g., asthma, COPD).

2. Restrictive Diseases – Limit lung expansion and reduce lung volume (e.g., pulmonary fibrosis).

3. Infectious Diseases – Caused by viruses, bacteria, and fungi (e.g., pneumonia, tuberculosis).

4. Environmental and Occupational Diseases – Caused by exposure to harmful substances (e.g., asbestosis, pneumoconiosis).

🏥 Common Respiratory Diseases

1. Asthma

• Definition: A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that causes difficulty in breathing due to narrowing and swelling of the airways.

• Causes:

  • Allergens (pollen, dust mites, pet dander)

  • Air pollution

  • Cold air

  • Exercise

  • Genetic factors

• Symptoms:

  • Wheezing

  • Shortness of breath

  • Chest tightness

  • Coughing (especially at night)

• Treatment:
  ✅ Inhalers (bronchodilators)
  ✅ Corticosteroids (to reduce inflammation)
  ✅ Avoiding triggers

2. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

• Definition: A group of progressive lung diseases (mainly emphysema and chronic bronchitis) that cause airflow obstruction.

• Causes:

  • Smoking (primary cause)

  • Long-term exposure to pollutants (industrial dust, smoke)

  • Genetic factors

• Symptoms:

  • Persistent cough (with mucus)

  • Wheezing

  • Shortness of breath (even at rest)

  • Chest tightness

• Treatment:
  ✅ Bronchodilators
  ✅ Corticosteroids
  ✅ Pulmonary rehabilitation (exercise, breathing techniques)
  ✅ Oxygen therapy (in severe cases)

3. Pneumonia

• Definition: Infection that inflames the alveoli (air sacs) in one or both lungs, causing them to fill with fluid or pus.

• Causes:

  • Bacteria (Streptococcus pneumoniae)

  • Viruses (influenza, RSV, COVID-19)

  • Fungi (Pneumocystis jirovecii)

• Symptoms:

  • Chest pain during breathing or coughing

  • Fever and chills

  • Cough with yellow or green mucus

  • Shortness of breath

• Treatment:
  ✅ Antibiotics (if bacterial)
  ✅ Antiviral or antifungal medications
  ✅ Oxygen therapy (in severe cases)

4. Tuberculosis (TB)

• Definition: A bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs.

• Causes:

  • Airborne transmission (coughing, sneezing)

  • Close contact with an infected person

• Symptoms:

  • Persistent cough (lasting more than 3 weeks)

  • Blood in sputum

  • Chest pain

  • Weight loss

  • Night sweats

• Treatment:
  ✅ Antibiotics (isoniazid, rifampin)
  ✅ Long-term therapy (6–9 months)
  ✅ Isolation (to prevent transmission)

5. Lung Cancer

• Definition: Uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in the lung tissue.

• Causes:

  • Smoking (90% of cases)

  • Exposure to radon gas, asbestos, and air pollution

  • Genetic factors

• Symptoms:

  • Persistent cough

  • Chest pain

  • Coughing up blood

  • Unexplained weight loss

  • Difficulty breathing

• Treatment:
  ✅ Surgery (to remove the tumor)
  ✅ Chemotherapy
  ✅ Radiation therapy
  ✅ Immunotherapy

6. Pulmonary Fibrosis

• Definition: A lung disease that causes scarring of lung tissue, making breathing difficult.

• Causes:

  • Idiopathic (unknown cause)

  • Environmental exposure (asbestos, silica)

  • Autoimmune diseases (rheumatoid arthritis)

• Symptoms:

  • Shortness of breath (progressive)

  • Dry cough

  • Fatigue

  • Clubbing of the fingers

• Treatment:
  ✅ Antifibrotic drugs
  ✅ Oxygen therapy
  ✅ Lung transplant (in severe cases)

7. Pulmonary Embolism

• Definition: Blockage of a pulmonary artery in the lungs due to a blood clot.

• Causes:

  • Deep vein thrombosis (DVT)

  • Long periods of immobility (e.g., long flights)

  • Surgery or injury

• Symptoms:

  • Sudden shortness of breath

  • Chest pain (worse during breathing)

  • Rapid heartbeat

  • Coughing up blood

• Treatment:
  ✅ Anticoagulants (blood thinners)
  ✅ Thrombolytics (clot busters)
  ✅ Surgical removal of the clot (in severe cases)

8. Sleep Apnea

• Definition: A disorder where breathing repeatedly stops and starts during sleep.

• Causes:

  • Obesity

  • Enlarged tonsils

  • Relaxation of throat muscles

• Symptoms:

  • Loud snoring

  • Gasping for air during sleep

  • Daytime sleepiness

  • Headaches

• Treatment:
  ✅ CPAP (Continuous Positive Airway Pressure) machine
  ✅ Weight loss
  ✅ Surgery (to remove obstructions)

🧪 Risk Factors for Respiratory Diseases

🔹 Non-Modifiable Factors:

• Age (risk increases with age)

• Genetic factors

• History of lung disease

🔹 Modifiable Factors:

• Smoking – Leading cause of lung cancer and COPD

• Air Pollution – Increases the risk of asthma and COPD

• Obesity – Increases the risk of sleep apnea

• Occupational Exposure – Exposure to asbestos, dust, and chemicals

• Poor Indoor Air Quality – Mold and secondhand smoke exposure

🛡️ Prevention of Respiratory Diseases

✔️ Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke
✔️ Maintain a healthy weight
✔️ Improve indoor air quality (use air purifiers)
✔️ Get vaccinated (against flu, pneumonia, COVID-19)
✔️ Regular exercise to strengthen lung capacity
✔️ Avoid exposure to environmental pollutants

✅ Conclusion

Respiratory diseases can significantly affect quality of life and overall health. Early diagnosis, lifestyle changes, and modern medical treatments can improve breathing function, reduce symptoms, and prevent complications.