Help with Respiratory Injuries and Disorders

Black lung is a form of pneumoconioses that is caused by inhalation of coal mine dust. This dust aggravates the tissues of the lungs and accumulates to give normally pink lungs a black color. There is no specific treatment or cure for black lung, but it can be managed by oxygen therapy or medications that dilate the airways.

Many diseases can affect the lungs and the lung tissue. When air accumulates in the alveolar sacs chronically due to loss of elastic tissue in the alveolar walls, it is called emphysema. This results in reduced surface area for exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide, leading to hypoxia and a buildup of carbon dioxide in the blood.

Asthma is a result of a non-patent airway, presenting with shortness of breath and wheezing. Bronchiectasis is the dilation of the bronchi and bronchioles over a period of time, usually due to an underlying disease such as pneumonia or tuberculosis. Symptoms are chronic cough with copious amounts of sputum. Chronic bronchitis is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and is caused by inflammation of the airways due to an irritant, such as tobacco. The individual will present with a chronic cough and shortness of breath and some sputum.

Asthma is a respiratory disease that results in the inflammation of airways. This inflammation of the airways can lead to shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. Asthma cannot be cured, but can be managed with the use of medication and lifestyle changes.

Cystic fibrosis is an inherited disease that affects the secretory glands. While mucus is normally slippery and watery, those who have cystic fibrosis often have thick and sticky mucus, which primarily affects the function of the respiratory system. This mucus is difficult to clear and provides a breeding ground for bacteria, leading to secondary infections.

Cystic fibrosis causes sweat to become very salty, which can lead to numerous secondary issues. Some of the issues caused by this include dehydration, increased heart rate, and fatigue. It can also lead to heat stroke or death.

Adenoviruses can cause common colds, sore throats, bronchitis, pneumonia, and other illnesses. Adenoviruses are rarely fatal, but those with a weakened immune system can face serious complications that could lead to death. Because infections are viral, treating adenoviruses with antibiotics is ineffective.

The thoracic outlet is the area between the clavicle and the first rib. If there is compression of the vessels and nerves in this area, it is called thoracic outlet syndrome. The structures in this area are the subclavian artery and the nerves in the brachial plexus, which supply the upper limb. Symptoms include pain, numbness, weakness, and ischemia if the artery is affected. Common causes of compression in the area are the presence of a cervical rib or abnormal placement of the scalene muscles of the neck.

If a patient were to aspirate (swallow a foreign object into the respiratory tract) it is most likely going to end up in the right principal bronchus. This is because the right principal bronchus is almost a vertical continuation of the trachea, while the left principal bronchus departs from the trachea at an angle. Terminal bronchioles are too small for foreign objects to be lodged.

Tuberculosis (TB) can be tested for using a skin test or a chest x-ray. Tests that come back positive can indicate a latent or active TB infection. TB can be treated using antibiotics, but it takes several months of daily treatment to clear the disease.

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disease that affects many organs in the body. It is usually detected in newborns by their mother, who will state that the baby has salty skin. Symptoms of cystic fibrosis are centered around the respiratory, endocrine, and gastrointestinal systems. Imbalance in the sodium chloride channels found on the cells of the body produces excessively thick mucus, which can cause complications in the ducts of the pulmonary, gastrointestinal, and pancreatic regions. Obstruction of the pancreatic ducts can result in inflammation of the pancreas, which is called pancreatitis. Children with cystic fibrosis tend to get many infections, such as pneumonia and bronchiectasis. Symptoms are managed with antibiotics and the mean survival age is around 40s to 50s years of age.

Lung cancer is not associated with cystic fibrosis.