HUMAN DISEASES

GROUPED
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
HUMAN BODY
 TYPES OF RESPIRATORY DISEASES
•Obstructive Lung Diseases – Cause narrowing of airways, making exhalation difficult due
to airflow obstruction.

•Restrictive Lung Diseases – Limit lung expansion, leading to reduced lung volume and
difficulty in inhalation.

•Infectious Respiratory Diseases – Result from microbial infections affecting the airways
or lung tissue.

•Neoplastic Diseases – Involve abnormal tissue growths (benign or malignant) in the

respiratory tract.

•Pleural Diseases – Affect the pleura, causing fluid buildup or inflammation around the
lungs.

•Pulmonary Vascular Diseases – Disrupt blood flow in lung vessels, impairing gas
exchange and oxygenation.

•Sleep and Miscellaneous Disorders – Include structural or functional airway issues

affecting breathing during sleep or at rest.
OBSTRUCTIVE LUNG
DISEASES
RESPIRATORY DISEASES
 ASTHM
A
Symptoms:
Definition:
- Wheezing
Chronic inflammatory disease of the airways - Shortness of breath
causing reversible airflow obstruction - Chest tightness
- Cough (especially at night or early morning)

Causes: Types:
- Allergens: dust, pollen, pets - Allergic: Triggered by allergens (extrinsic)
- Non-Allergic: Triggered by stress or infections (intrinsic)
- Infections: cold, flu
- Exercise-Induced: Triggered by physical activity
- Exercise - Occupational: Triggered by workplace exposure
- Cold air
- Air pollution or smoke Diagnosis:
- Genetics: family history - Clinical symptom observation
- Spirometry (lung function test)
- Peak Expiratory Flow Rate (PEFR)
Pathophysiology: - Allergy testing (optional)
Step 1: Inflammation of airway lining Treatment:
Step 2: Bronchospasm (tightening of airway muscles) - Relievers: Quick-relief inhalers like Salbutamol
Step 3: Increased mucus production - Controllers: Inhaled corticosteroids for long-term control
Result: Narrowed airways → breathing difficulty - Lifestyle: Avoid triggers, breathing exercises

Complications:
- Severe asthma attacks
- Hospitalization
- Permanent lung changes if uncontrolled

Key Fact:
Asthma is reversible and manageable; it is not contagious
 Chronic Obstructive
COPD Pulmonary Disease

Symptoms:
Definition: - Chronic cough
Chronic progressive disease that causes irreversible airflow - Sputum (mucus) production
obstruction, mainly due to damage from long-term exposure - Shortness of breath
to harmful particles or gases. - Wheezing
- Fatigue
Causes: Types:
- Long-term smoking (most common) - Chronic Bronchitis: Persistent mucus cough ≥3 months/year
- Emphysema: Alveolar damage causing air trapping and poor gas
- Air pollution exchange
Diagnosis:
- Occupational exposure to dust/chemicals
- Spirometry (low FEV1/FVC ratio)
- Biomass fuel smoke (e.g., wood) - Chest X-ray or CT scan
- ABG test
- Genetic factors (e.g., alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency) - Clinical history (especially smoking)
Treatment:
- Smoking cessation
Pathophysiology: - Bronchodilator and steroid inhalers
- Pulmonary rehab and lifestyle changes
Step 1: Inflammation and narrowing of airways
- Oxygen therapy (severe cases)
Step 2: Destruction of alveolar walls (emphysema)
- Vaccination (influenza, pneumonia)
Step 3: Increased mucus and reduced airway clearance
Complications:
Result: Air trapping → hyperinflation → difficulty exhaling
- Respiratory infections
- Respiratory failure
- Cor pulmonale (right heart failure)
- Reduced quality of life
Key Fact:
COPD is irreversible but manageable with early care and prevention
 BRONCHIECTA
SIS
Symptoms:
Definition: - Chronic productive cough
- A chronic condition where airways become permanently - Large amounts of purulent (thick) sputum
widened, leading to mucus build-up and repeated - Recurrent chest infections
infections - Wheezing and breathlessness
- Fatigue and weight loss
Causes: Types:
- Post-infectious (e.g., TB, pneumonia) - Focal: Affecting one area (e.g., due to obstruction)
- Diffuse: Affecting both lungs (e.g., CF-related)
- Congenital (e.g., cystic fibrosis) Diagnosis:
- High-resolution CT (shows airway dilation)
- Autoimmune disorders
- Sputum culture (identify pathogens)
- Allergic bronchopulmonary aspergillosis (ABPA) - Spirometry (obstructive pattern)
- Bronchoscopy (in some cases)
- Airway blockage (e.g., tumor or foreign body) Treatment:
Pathophysiology: - Chest physiotherapy for mucus clearance
- Antibiotics (oral/inhaled for infection control)
- Inflammation damages airway walls - Bronchodilators and steroids (if needed)
- Surgery (in focal, severe cases)
- Bronchi dilate and lose elasticity - Vaccination and regular follow-up
- Mucus clearance fails → infection cycle continues Complications:
- Respiratory failure
- Result: Dilated, thickened airways filled with pus/mucus - Massive hemoptysis (bleeding)
- Progressive lung damage
- Cor pulmonale (advanced cases)
Key Fact:
Bronchiectasis causes irreversible airway damage but is
manageable with early treatment and infection control