Lung transplantation

Cystic fibrosis is a genetic disorder that affects many organs and impairs the lung function. A blocked chloride transport in the cell membranes creates mucous that has little water content and becomes thick. The thick, sticky mucous causes problems in the lung, pancreas, liver, salivary glands, and testes. It is an autosomal recessive trait and the cystic fibrosis gene can be located in chromosome seven. A symptom of cystic fibrosis is very salty-tasting skin and the reason is, is when a…

Asthma affects the body through bronchospasms; these are unusual narrowing or constrictions of the airways. These are usually caused a spasm in the smooth muscles of bronchi and bronchioles, an inflammation of the airways or an excessive production of mucus due to an allergic reaction or possible irritation. This therefore makes it difficult to breath and as a result causes the individual to start wheezing due to the inhaled air struggling to pass through the narrowed airways…

Stridor is a high-pitched, wheezing sound caused by disrupted airflow. Airflow is usually disrupted by a blockage in the larynx (voice box) or trachea (windpipe). It’s most noticeable when breathing in, though it can sometimes be heard when breathing out. Stridor affects children more often than adults. In infants, a condition called laryngomalacia is usually the cause of stridor. It may be quieter when your child is lying on their stomach, and louder when lying on their back. Larynogomalacia…

airways and irritates the lungs. (Lewis et al., 2014 p732). When this irritants is being inhaled, the cilia in the lungs are damaged that causes persistent cough and increase mucus production which cause airflow obstruction (Lewis et al., 2014 p 735). As COPD progress, pulmonary hypertension may occur where there will be a structural changes in the lungs such as swelling of the smooth muscle and constriction of pulmonary vessels due…

and alkalosis and metabolic acidosis and alkalosis. Respiratory acidosis, or respiratory failure, occurs when the lungs cannot produce enough CO2, which causes blood pH to drop below 7.35 and PCO2, or partial pressure of carbon dioxide, is increased above 45 mmHg. Some causes for respiratory acidosis include airway obstruction, emphysema, pulmonary edema, and other chronic or acute lung disorders. If respiratory problems are not too extreme then the kidneys will help out with raising the blood…

common dusts to cause pneumoconiosis. Some Suppurative and Necrotic conditions of the Lower Respiratory Tract include Pyothorax, Pneumothorax, and Abscess of the Mediastinum. Pyothorax or also known as Empyema, is where pus gathers in between the lungs and inner surface of the chest wall. Pyothorax (J86.0, J86.1), usually develops after pneumonia. The pus can not be coughed out but drained out by a needle or even surgery. The most common bacteria that causes Pyothorax is Streptococcus…

Pulmonary Embolism (PE) is a serious and oftentimes life threatening condition that is sadly easily treatable if caught early. The definition of Pulmonary Embolism is a blockage or thrombi in one of the pulmonary arteries of your lungs (Pulmonary Embolism). Most of these thrombi originate in the veins in your lower extremities; though sometimes the thrombi can come from upper extremity veins, renal, pelvic, or right heart chambers, instead. Once in the pulmonary arteries, large thrombi sometimes…

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a progressive disease that makes breathing difficult. When having this disease, lung damage is produced. The disease worsens over time, although it is not treated, it can be slowed down. This is mainly caused by smoking, chemical fume, dust, and air pollution. Although there are many causes to this disease, smoking is the most common. It happens to over 12 million Americans and the risk factors can be environmental or genetics. COPD is largely preventable…

pulmonary disease (COPD) is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes obstructed airflow from the lungs. It's caused by smoking cigarettes or long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter. Your lungs are directly affected by COPD, because air travels down your trachea and into your lungs through the bronchi. The bronchi are divided into many smaller tubes or bronchioles that end in clusters of tiny air sacs called alveoli. Your lungs rely on the natural elasticity of the…

L- Today in lab I learned how to properly place my stethoscope when auscultating the lungs. E- To prepare us for auscultation of the lungs, Jackie showed us the landmarks used to find the intercostal spaces. Once I found the manubrium, I followed the angle of Louis to find the second intercostal space. I noticed it is imperative the stethoscope is placed between the ribs to hear breath sounds. To begin the process, locate the second intercostal space on one side of Caroline’s chest. Following I…