UNIT 14 – Physiological disorders and
their care
The respiratory system consists of several key components which help the
human body function, specifically for breathing and gas exchange. The
respiratory system includes the trachea, bronchi, lungs, diaphragm, larynx
and chest walls, all in which work together to ensure that oxygen is
brough to the body and carbon dioxide is expelled this is a waste product
of metabolism which is an essential part for keeping the body's cells alive
and functioning properly. However, there are different disorders that
affect the respiratory system such as asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD).
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes occasional breathing
difficulties throughout someone's lifetime. This respiratory disorder is
quite common and can affect all ages. However, it often starts in
childhood but can develop for the first time in adulthood. When you have
asthma there is always a little swelling or inflammation inside the airways
with or without symptoms. There are certain triggers that their lungs react
to such as dust, infection and pollen which causes changes within the
airway, narrowing the opening making it difficult for people to breathe. A
healthy airway is pink and clear with no interior swelling , there muscle
bands are not tight and there is no extra mucus , air is able to move freely
through the airway .However when you have asthma the airway is
irritated red and swollen , due to this the airway becomes narrow and the
airflow is decreased , there can also be extra mucus causing a clogged
airway. People with asthma can also have tightening muscles which is
called bronchoconstriction. This tightens the muscles and reduces the
airway opening making it harder to breathe. These three factors can occur
when a person with asthma meets a trigger, and it causes an asthma
attack or episode.
There are several factors that can cause asthma, this may include factors
such as inherited traits, lifestyle choices, diet, and environmental factors.
Asthma is a complex condition that can be influenced by genetics, the
transfer of genes from grandparents and parents can be a huge risk factor
for developing asthma. For example if one parent or both parents of a
child have asthma the risk of the child having asthma increases
significantly , If one parent has asthma the child is 25% likely to inherit
the disorder, and if both parents have asthma the child is 50% likely to
inherit the disorder, however this doesn't guarantee the inheritance of the
disorder. Asthma can run through the family , however it is less likely that
a child will develop it as the chromosomes have genes that the child
,inherits from the parents as the genes may contain certain conditions as a
result of a fault gene whilst a healthy gene doesn't carry any health
conditions that are likely to be passed onto the baby. Asthma can also be
caused by multiple interacting genes that are associated with the immune
system function and lung health. For example, IL4, IL13, AND IL5, these
genes impact the immune system and the production of IGE which
contributes to allergic asthma.
Asthma can be caused by lifestyle choices; lifestyle choices are the
personal choices and habits that an individual makes that have an impact
on their overall health and wellbeing and quality of life. Such habits can
increase and decrease certain health conditions as it can affect an
individual's physical, social, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing.
Smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke is a prevalent lifestyle choice
that significantly worsens asthma severity. The unhealthy substances
found in cigarettes irritate the airway, making them inflamed and narrow
and result in developing asthma. An individual actively smoking can
increase the risk of developing asthma and can make symptoms worse in
individuals who are already diagnosed with asthma or may result in
asthma attacks and flare up. Exposure to secondhand smoking can
increase the risk of developing asthma which is quite common with
children, for example exposure to smoke during pregnancy or children
around people who smoke constantly in the same environment. Exercise
is a lifestyle choice that can trigger or can cause asthma. Exercise is
usually associated with maintaining one's healthy weight however
exercise can negatively affect an individual's health. Exercise – induced
asthma can cause individuals to develop asthma, for example when an
individual is exercising or after exercise, they start breathing harder and
heavier and they usually try to inhale or breath through the mouth
causing the air to be cooler and dryer than when breathing through the
nose only. The dryer and cooler a are the main cause of the airway
narrowing which can result in developing asthma.
An individuals personal eating choices have contributed to an increase in
developing or worsening the disease. For example, a poor diet often leads
to obesity, which is a huge risk in developing this disorder. Obesity may
put pressure on the lungs, reducing the lung function, resulting in
difficulty breathing and the development of asthma. Increased
inflammation can lead to the development of asthma. There are several
inflammatory foods such as refined grains, overly sweetened desserts,
processed red meats and other preserved food products. These foods
contain trans fats and add sugars which can trigger asthma symptoms or
assist in the development of asthma, as it is making the airways more
sensitive and reactive. Also having a weakened immune system can cause
,asthma, an individual with nutrient deficiencies like vitamin D, C and E
can also weaken the lung function making them more vulnerable to lung
infections resulting in the development of asthma. Therefore, good
nutrition is valuable for asthma.
There are various environmental factors that may either trigger or
increase the risk of developing asthma, particularly in individuals who are
genetically predisposed to the condition. These environmental factors can
be both indoor or outdoor, one environmental factor that can cause
asthma is the different allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander
and mold. Mold is a common cause of asthma, especially mold spores in
damp or humid environments can result in developing asthma or trigger
asthma attacks. Infections can also result in the development of asthma;
these infections affect the upper airways such as colds and flus.
Asthma is a chronic disorder that can be identified through observable
signs, which can be used to indicate that the individual has airway
inflammation and obstructive function. One observable sign is wheezing.
This is a high whistling cough, especially during exhalation. Another
observable sign is difficulty in breathing, if an individual needs to put
more effort into breathing normally this can indicate signs of airway
inflammation. Labored breathing can include rapid or shallow breaths,
flaring nostrils or the use of other muscles whilst breathing like shoulder
and neck movement with each breath. A consistent cough is also an
observable sign which normally happens at nighttime or after physical
activity, this often occurs as a response to inflammation and irritation in
the airways can lead to increased buildup of mucus.
Asthma can cause a range of various symptoms which can vary in severity
and may be triggered by allergens, exercise, or respiratory infections. One
symptom that is experienced by people who have asthma is difficulty with
breathing as the airways have become inflamed or narrowed making it
harder for the hair to move in and out of the lungs as required. Individuals
with asthma may feel like they do not have enough air, especially during
physical activity, they are more likely to struggle catching their breath
back compared to someone with healthier airways. Another symptom that
is experienced by individuals with asthma feeling tightness in the chest,
they often feel pressure or constriction in the chest making it harder for
them to breathe. People with asthma may experience this during asthma
attacks of when exposed to certain triggers .Increased mucus production
is another symptom of asthma , this where the airways the airways
produce an excessive amount of mucus clogging the airways and making
harder for individuals to breathe .Excessive mucus in the airways can
contribute towards coughing and worsen the airway obstruction.
, Asthma can affect multiple levels of the body including the cells, tissues,
organs, and the body system itself. Asthma can impact certain cells in the
human body, specifically the epithelial cells. Without asthma the epithelial
cells can function normally and maintain a balanced immune system
without producing excessive inflammation. However, the epithelial cells in
the airway of individuals with asthma are affected as they become
inflamed and produce excess mucus. The mast cells in the immune
system release histamine and other substances produced can lead to
constriction of the airways in the lungs. Asthma affects the systems in the
body, specifically the respiratory system. It is affected in several ways
such as airway inflammation and narrowing, bronchoconstriction and
reduced oxygen exchange. Asthma causes severe inflammation,
excessive mucus production and smooth muscle hyperresponsive, this
affects the bronchial tissue in the trachea causing the tissue walls to be
thickened, and individuals to have trouble breathing. On the other hand,
airway tissues are flexible and clear which allow air to flow freely. The
lungs and airways are also affected by asthma, especially during an
asthma attack. The bronchi and bronchioles become narrow during an
asthma attack resulting in difficulty breathing, without asthma the airways
are open, and the lungs can expand and contract effectively. Asthma
causes the airways to narrow, limiting the airflow which leads to lower
oxygen levels in the blood; therefore, the heart must work much harder,
in some cases this may cause respiratory failure. Without asthma oxygen
exchange occurs effectively, wand not affected by airway constriction.
There are various immediate effects of asthma to physical health,
however this can vary depending on the individual and the circumstances
which can range from mild to life threatening. Some immediate effects of
asthma are breathlessness and coughing; this can vary in different
situations and for the individual. For example, in exercise like fast walking
for a long distance can trigger slight breathlessness, in this situation the
severity of the breathing considered mild can be treated withing the same
hour with rest and quick relief e.g., an inhaler. When someone with
asthma experiences breathlessness, which is noticeable, they may have
to seek help from a health care professional as these symptoms are
considered moderately severe. Someone with asthma may experience
extreme breathlessness, this may result in them being unable to complete
full sentences or partake in small activities, these are severe symptoms of
asthma in which they may require emergency medical attention.
Coughing is another immediate symptom of asthma. This can be triggered
by different allergens such as pollen and mold. When an individual
experiences a slight cough, these symptoms are considered mild, and
they can recover from them withing a brief period with rest. When the
their care
The respiratory system consists of several key components which help the
human body function, specifically for breathing and gas exchange. The
respiratory system includes the trachea, bronchi, lungs, diaphragm, larynx
and chest walls, all in which work together to ensure that oxygen is
brough to the body and carbon dioxide is expelled this is a waste product
of metabolism which is an essential part for keeping the body's cells alive
and functioning properly. However, there are different disorders that
affect the respiratory system such as asthma and chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD).
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes occasional breathing
difficulties throughout someone's lifetime. This respiratory disorder is
quite common and can affect all ages. However, it often starts in
childhood but can develop for the first time in adulthood. When you have
asthma there is always a little swelling or inflammation inside the airways
with or without symptoms. There are certain triggers that their lungs react
to such as dust, infection and pollen which causes changes within the
airway, narrowing the opening making it difficult for people to breathe. A
healthy airway is pink and clear with no interior swelling , there muscle
bands are not tight and there is no extra mucus , air is able to move freely
through the airway .However when you have asthma the airway is
irritated red and swollen , due to this the airway becomes narrow and the
airflow is decreased , there can also be extra mucus causing a clogged
airway. People with asthma can also have tightening muscles which is
called bronchoconstriction. This tightens the muscles and reduces the
airway opening making it harder to breathe. These three factors can occur
when a person with asthma meets a trigger, and it causes an asthma
attack or episode.
There are several factors that can cause asthma, this may include factors
such as inherited traits, lifestyle choices, diet, and environmental factors.
Asthma is a complex condition that can be influenced by genetics, the
transfer of genes from grandparents and parents can be a huge risk factor
for developing asthma. For example if one parent or both parents of a
child have asthma the risk of the child having asthma increases
significantly , If one parent has asthma the child is 25% likely to inherit
the disorder, and if both parents have asthma the child is 50% likely to
inherit the disorder, however this doesn't guarantee the inheritance of the
disorder. Asthma can run through the family , however it is less likely that
a child will develop it as the chromosomes have genes that the child
,inherits from the parents as the genes may contain certain conditions as a
result of a fault gene whilst a healthy gene doesn't carry any health
conditions that are likely to be passed onto the baby. Asthma can also be
caused by multiple interacting genes that are associated with the immune
system function and lung health. For example, IL4, IL13, AND IL5, these
genes impact the immune system and the production of IGE which
contributes to allergic asthma.
Asthma can be caused by lifestyle choices; lifestyle choices are the
personal choices and habits that an individual makes that have an impact
on their overall health and wellbeing and quality of life. Such habits can
increase and decrease certain health conditions as it can affect an
individual's physical, social, mental, and emotional health and wellbeing.
Smoking and exposure to tobacco smoke is a prevalent lifestyle choice
that significantly worsens asthma severity. The unhealthy substances
found in cigarettes irritate the airway, making them inflamed and narrow
and result in developing asthma. An individual actively smoking can
increase the risk of developing asthma and can make symptoms worse in
individuals who are already diagnosed with asthma or may result in
asthma attacks and flare up. Exposure to secondhand smoking can
increase the risk of developing asthma which is quite common with
children, for example exposure to smoke during pregnancy or children
around people who smoke constantly in the same environment. Exercise
is a lifestyle choice that can trigger or can cause asthma. Exercise is
usually associated with maintaining one's healthy weight however
exercise can negatively affect an individual's health. Exercise – induced
asthma can cause individuals to develop asthma, for example when an
individual is exercising or after exercise, they start breathing harder and
heavier and they usually try to inhale or breath through the mouth
causing the air to be cooler and dryer than when breathing through the
nose only. The dryer and cooler a are the main cause of the airway
narrowing which can result in developing asthma.
An individuals personal eating choices have contributed to an increase in
developing or worsening the disease. For example, a poor diet often leads
to obesity, which is a huge risk in developing this disorder. Obesity may
put pressure on the lungs, reducing the lung function, resulting in
difficulty breathing and the development of asthma. Increased
inflammation can lead to the development of asthma. There are several
inflammatory foods such as refined grains, overly sweetened desserts,
processed red meats and other preserved food products. These foods
contain trans fats and add sugars which can trigger asthma symptoms or
assist in the development of asthma, as it is making the airways more
sensitive and reactive. Also having a weakened immune system can cause
,asthma, an individual with nutrient deficiencies like vitamin D, C and E
can also weaken the lung function making them more vulnerable to lung
infections resulting in the development of asthma. Therefore, good
nutrition is valuable for asthma.
There are various environmental factors that may either trigger or
increase the risk of developing asthma, particularly in individuals who are
genetically predisposed to the condition. These environmental factors can
be both indoor or outdoor, one environmental factor that can cause
asthma is the different allergens such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander
and mold. Mold is a common cause of asthma, especially mold spores in
damp or humid environments can result in developing asthma or trigger
asthma attacks. Infections can also result in the development of asthma;
these infections affect the upper airways such as colds and flus.
Asthma is a chronic disorder that can be identified through observable
signs, which can be used to indicate that the individual has airway
inflammation and obstructive function. One observable sign is wheezing.
This is a high whistling cough, especially during exhalation. Another
observable sign is difficulty in breathing, if an individual needs to put
more effort into breathing normally this can indicate signs of airway
inflammation. Labored breathing can include rapid or shallow breaths,
flaring nostrils or the use of other muscles whilst breathing like shoulder
and neck movement with each breath. A consistent cough is also an
observable sign which normally happens at nighttime or after physical
activity, this often occurs as a response to inflammation and irritation in
the airways can lead to increased buildup of mucus.
Asthma can cause a range of various symptoms which can vary in severity
and may be triggered by allergens, exercise, or respiratory infections. One
symptom that is experienced by people who have asthma is difficulty with
breathing as the airways have become inflamed or narrowed making it
harder for the hair to move in and out of the lungs as required. Individuals
with asthma may feel like they do not have enough air, especially during
physical activity, they are more likely to struggle catching their breath
back compared to someone with healthier airways. Another symptom that
is experienced by individuals with asthma feeling tightness in the chest,
they often feel pressure or constriction in the chest making it harder for
them to breathe. People with asthma may experience this during asthma
attacks of when exposed to certain triggers .Increased mucus production
is another symptom of asthma , this where the airways the airways
produce an excessive amount of mucus clogging the airways and making
harder for individuals to breathe .Excessive mucus in the airways can
contribute towards coughing and worsen the airway obstruction.
, Asthma can affect multiple levels of the body including the cells, tissues,
organs, and the body system itself. Asthma can impact certain cells in the
human body, specifically the epithelial cells. Without asthma the epithelial
cells can function normally and maintain a balanced immune system
without producing excessive inflammation. However, the epithelial cells in
the airway of individuals with asthma are affected as they become
inflamed and produce excess mucus. The mast cells in the immune
system release histamine and other substances produced can lead to
constriction of the airways in the lungs. Asthma affects the systems in the
body, specifically the respiratory system. It is affected in several ways
such as airway inflammation and narrowing, bronchoconstriction and
reduced oxygen exchange. Asthma causes severe inflammation,
excessive mucus production and smooth muscle hyperresponsive, this
affects the bronchial tissue in the trachea causing the tissue walls to be
thickened, and individuals to have trouble breathing. On the other hand,
airway tissues are flexible and clear which allow air to flow freely. The
lungs and airways are also affected by asthma, especially during an
asthma attack. The bronchi and bronchioles become narrow during an
asthma attack resulting in difficulty breathing, without asthma the airways
are open, and the lungs can expand and contract effectively. Asthma
causes the airways to narrow, limiting the airflow which leads to lower
oxygen levels in the blood; therefore, the heart must work much harder,
in some cases this may cause respiratory failure. Without asthma oxygen
exchange occurs effectively, wand not affected by airway constriction.
There are various immediate effects of asthma to physical health,
however this can vary depending on the individual and the circumstances
which can range from mild to life threatening. Some immediate effects of
asthma are breathlessness and coughing; this can vary in different
situations and for the individual. For example, in exercise like fast walking
for a long distance can trigger slight breathlessness, in this situation the
severity of the breathing considered mild can be treated withing the same
hour with rest and quick relief e.g., an inhaler. When someone with
asthma experiences breathlessness, which is noticeable, they may have
to seek help from a health care professional as these symptoms are
considered moderately severe. Someone with asthma may experience
extreme breathlessness, this may result in them being unable to complete
full sentences or partake in small activities, these are severe symptoms of
asthma in which they may require emergency medical attention.
Coughing is another immediate symptom of asthma. This can be triggered
by different allergens such as pollen and mold. When an individual
experiences a slight cough, these symptoms are considered mild, and
they can recover from them withing a brief period with rest. When the
