The respiratory system is accountable for taking in oxygen and expelling carbon dioxide which is found in the body. Diseases and conditions of the respiratory system are divided into two categories: viruses or bacteria and chronic (Zimmermann, 2014).
Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emphysema progressively damages the air sacs known as the alveoli, which causes shortness of breath. The alveoli in a healthy individual are clustered together. With emphysema, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and eventually rupture which creates one larger air space instead of many small ones (Mayo clinic, n.d.a.).
With regards to causes, there can be many causes for the development of emphysema. The main cause of emphysema …show more content…
However, when emphysema progresses most people will develop shortness of breath. Other common symptoms include; wheezing, coughing, tightness feeling in the chest, constant fatigue, morning headaches, weight loss, swelling of the ankles, sleep difficulties and barrel-like distended chest (Drugs, …show more content…
The main cause of this cancer is asbestos exposure, once inhaled into the lungs, asbestos travels to the pleura. The body then tries to fight off the needle-like fibres, over time, trapped fibres irritate the pleural membrane, causing chronic inflammation and scarring. Painters have been linked to being at risk of mesothelioma due to the chemicals in the paint (Cancer research UK, n.d.a.).
Unfortunately, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma do not develop until stage three or four of the cancer and include; chest or lower back pain, shortness of breath, a high temperature and sweating particularly at night, persistent coughing and weight loss (Asbestos, n.d.).
Pleural mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose due to the cells being hard to recognise. It is possible for the cells to look normal or like lung cancer. Diagnostic tests can include; a x-ray which can reveal pleural effusions, CT scan which can show evidence of asbestos exposure, thoracoscopy which allows the doctor to examine the chest and take a biopsy and lastly, pleural aspiration if there is a build-up of fluid around the lungs, a sample may be taken by inserting a needle through an area of skin (NHS,
Emphysema is a type of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Emphysema progressively damages the air sacs known as the alveoli, which causes shortness of breath. The alveoli in a healthy individual are clustered together. With emphysema, the inner walls of the air sacs weaken and eventually rupture which creates one larger air space instead of many small ones (Mayo clinic, n.d.a.).
With regards to causes, there can be many causes for the development of emphysema. The main cause of emphysema …show more content…
However, when emphysema progresses most people will develop shortness of breath. Other common symptoms include; wheezing, coughing, tightness feeling in the chest, constant fatigue, morning headaches, weight loss, swelling of the ankles, sleep difficulties and barrel-like distended chest (Drugs, …show more content…
The main cause of this cancer is asbestos exposure, once inhaled into the lungs, asbestos travels to the pleura. The body then tries to fight off the needle-like fibres, over time, trapped fibres irritate the pleural membrane, causing chronic inflammation and scarring. Painters have been linked to being at risk of mesothelioma due to the chemicals in the paint (Cancer research UK, n.d.a.).
Unfortunately, symptoms of pleural mesothelioma do not develop until stage three or four of the cancer and include; chest or lower back pain, shortness of breath, a high temperature and sweating particularly at night, persistent coughing and weight loss (Asbestos, n.d.).
Pleural mesothelioma is very difficult to diagnose due to the cells being hard to recognise. It is possible for the cells to look normal or like lung cancer. Diagnostic tests can include; a x-ray which can reveal pleural effusions, CT scan which can show evidence of asbestos exposure, thoracoscopy which allows the doctor to examine the chest and take a biopsy and lastly, pleural aspiration if there is a build-up of fluid around the lungs, a sample may be taken by inserting a needle through an area of skin (NHS,