RESPIRATORY DISEASESAND

DISORDERS

- Lung cancer- 23 times higher risk for males and 11 times higher risk for females- Chronic Bronchitis and Emphysema- 5 times higher risk- Heart Disease- 2 times higher risk- chemicals in tobacco are poisons and destroy cells- high temperatures, smoke, and carbon monoxide can injure cells- secondhand smoke- inhaling smoke from others that are smoking, also unhealthy and can harm the respiratory system

Smoking and Respiratory Problems

-Smoking-Polluted air-Coal dust-asbestos

Causes of Respiratory Problems

-Bronchial tubes are irritated and swell, and too much mucus is produced- bronchitis can be treated with antibiotics and clears up within a few weeks, if not it is called chronic bronchitis- person coughs a lot to clear mucus from airway, but it damages cilia and bronchial tubes and scar tissue can form and the respiratory system cannot perform properly

Bronchitis

-Disease that causes alveoli in the lungs to enlarge- when cells in alveoli swell, they release an enzyme that causes walls of alveoli to break down- causes less oxygen in the bloodstream and shortness of breath- often develop heart problems because heart has to work harder to supply oxygen to body cells

Emphysema

-3rd leading cause of death in U.S.- greatest cause is inhaling tar in cigarette smoke- carcinogens- substances that can cause uncontrolled growth of cells

Lung Cancer

-Lung disorder that can cause shortness of breath, wheezing, or coughing- asthma attack- bronchial tubes contract quickly, medicines in inhalers relax the tubes- often an allergic reaction to a foreign substance- attacks can be caused by cigarette smoke, plant pollen, certain foods, or stress

Asthma

-Caused by bacteria, viruses or other micro-organisms- usually affects upper respiratory system- from nose to pharynx- can cause irritation and swelling in larynx, trachea, and bronchi

Common Cold

-Caused by a virus- can affect many body systems- virus multiplies in the cells of the alveoli and damages them

Influenza (the flu)

-Infection in the alveoli- can be caused by bacteria, viruses, or other micro-organisms- can be treated with antibiotics

Pneumonia