Chronic Lower Chronic Lower Respiratory DiseasesRespiratory Diseases

Two main Types Discussed TodayTwo main Types Discussed Today

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)Disease (COPD)

AsthmaAsthma

COPDCOPD

Chronic Obstructive Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Diseases Pulmonary Diseases include:include: EmphysemaEmphysema Chronic Chronic

bronchitisbronchitis

COPD FactsCOPD FactsCOPD claims the lives of nearly 120,000 COPD claims the lives of nearly 120,000 Americans yearly.Americans yearly.

Annual costs to the nation exceed $30 Annual costs to the nation exceed $30 billion. billion.

Approximately 80-90% of COPD cases are Approximately 80-90% of COPD cases are caused by smoking.caused by smoking.

A smoker is 10 times more likely than a non-A smoker is 10 times more likely than a non-smoker to die of COPD.smoker to die of COPD.

Other causes are frequent lung infections Other causes are frequent lung infections and exposure to certain industrial pollutants.and exposure to certain industrial pollutants.

Chronic BronchitisChronic Bronchitis

Is an inflammation and eventual scarring Is an inflammation and eventual scarring of lining of bronchial tubes.of lining of bronchial tubes.8.8 million people were diagnosed with it 8.8 million people were diagnosed with it in 2009in 2009Symptoms:Symptoms: Chronic coughChronic cough Increased mucusIncreased mucus Frequent clearing of the throatFrequent clearing of the throat Shortness of breathShortness of breath

EmphysemaEmphysema

Causes irreversible damage to lungs.Causes irreversible damage to lungs.How?How? The walls between the air sacs within the The walls between the air sacs within the

lungs lose their ability to stretch & recoil.lungs lose their ability to stretch & recoil. They become weakened & break.They become weakened & break. Elasticity of the lung tissue is lost, causing air Elasticity of the lung tissue is lost, causing air

to be trapped in the air sacs & impairing the to be trapped in the air sacs & impairing the exchange of Oxygen & Carbon Dioxide.exchange of Oxygen & Carbon Dioxide.

The support of the airways is lost, allowing for The support of the airways is lost, allowing for obstruction of airflow.obstruction of airflow.

Emphysema (cont.)Emphysema (cont.)

An estimated 2.8 million Americans have An estimated 2.8 million Americans have been diagnosed with emphysema been diagnosed with emphysema sometime in their life. sometime in their life. More men than women are diagnosed.More men than women are diagnosed.Number of women are increasing.Number of women are increasing.Symptoms:Symptoms: CoughCough Shortness of breathShortness of breath Limited exercise toleranceLimited exercise tolerance

Treatment for COPDTreatment for COPD

Supplemental oxygenSupplemental oxygen

Eventually mechanical Eventually mechanical ventilationventilation

Medications to decrease Medications to decrease symptoms or complicationssymptoms or complications BronchodilatorsBronchodilators Antibiotics if infectionsAntibiotics if infections CorticosteroidsCorticosteroids

Lung TransplantsLung Transplants

Lung Transplants are Lung Transplants are being performed in being performed in increasing numbers, increasing numbers, and may be an and may be an option for people option for people suffering from suffering from severe emphysemasevere emphysema

ASTHMAASTHMA

A CHRONIC disease of the airways that A CHRONIC disease of the airways that causes recurrent & distressing episodes:causes recurrent & distressing episodes: WheezingWheezing BreathlessnessBreathlessness Chest tightnessChest tightness Nighttime or early morning coughingNighttime or early morning coughing

Those affectedThose affected

InfantsInfants

Young ChildrenYoung Children

ElderlyElderly

SmokersSmokers

Workers exposed to chemical inhalantsWorkers exposed to chemical inhalants

Those with seasonal allergiesThose with seasonal allergies

Those with recurrent respiratory infectionsThose with recurrent respiratory infections

What Happens In An Attack?What Happens In An Attack?

May remain unnoticed (asymptomatic)May remain unnoticed (asymptomatic)Once out of control, the sides of the airway Once out of control, the sides of the airway become inflamed & swollenbecome inflamed & swollenMuscles of airway constrict, less air Muscles of airway constrict, less air passes in & outpasses in & outExcess mucus forms in the airways, Excess mucus forms in the airways, clogging them even moreclogging them even moreBreathing becomes an effort: coughing, Breathing becomes an effort: coughing, wheezing, etc… occur.wheezing, etc… occur.

Asthma TriggersAsthma TriggersAllergic reactions to such things as:Allergic reactions to such things as: Dust mitesDust mites AnimalsAnimals Exposure to moldExposure to mold

Strenuous exerciseStrenuous exerciseWeather (freezing temps, high humidity)Weather (freezing temps, high humidity)Certain foods &/or food additivesCertain foods &/or food additivesEmotional StatesEmotional StatesOutdoor Pollutions (emissions, car exhaust, Outdoor Pollutions (emissions, car exhaust, smoke from burning brush, trash)smoke from burning brush, trash)Cigarette Smoke/Second-hand smokeCigarette Smoke/Second-hand smoke

TreatmentTreatmentVariety of medications are used, Variety of medications are used, depending on different factors:depending on different factors: Is there an infection present?Is there an infection present? Is there an allergic trigger?Is there an allergic trigger? Can the person successfully use inhaler?Can the person successfully use inhaler?

Treating asthma involves managing both Treating asthma involves managing both the chronic inflammation & recurrent the chronic inflammation & recurrent episodes of airflow limitation & episodes of airflow limitation & bronchoconstriction.bronchoconstriction.