Lung Disease

Lung Disease

1. Pulmonary Fibrosis

   • Scar tissue forms on the epithelium of the lungs, become irreversibly thickened.
     • Therefore, diffusion pathway is increased, oxygen cannot diffuse as efficiently.
   • Reduces elasticity of the lung.
     • Makes it difficult to breathe, therefore ventilate the lungs
   • Shortness of breath
     • Chronic dry cough- Bodies reaction to the obstruction of the fibrous tissue
       • Pain and discomfort in chest
         • Weakness and fatigue

2. Asthma

   • Localised allergic reaction
     • Air pollutants/exercise/infecction causes white blood cells on the linings of the bronchi to release histamine
   • Linings of airways becomes inflamed
     • Cells on epithelial lining secrete large quantities of mucus.
       • Fluid leaves capillaries and enters the airways
         • Muscles surrounding the bronchioles contracts, constricting airways
   • Overall, much greater resistance to the flow of air in and out.
     • Difficult to ventilate and therefore maintain the diffusion gradient across the exchange surface.
       • Wheezing sound when breathing.
         • Tight feeling in chest
           • Coughing in response to obstructed bronchi

3. Emphysema

   • Elastin in lungs has become permanently stretched
     • Lungs are no longer able to force out all the air from the alveoli.
   • Surface area of the alveoli is reduced and sometimes bursts.
     • Little, if any, exchange of gases can take place across the damaged and stretched air sacs.
   • Shortness of breath, difficulty inhaling air
     • Chronic cough, body tries to remove damaged tissue and mucus
       • Bluish skin coloration, low levels of oxygen

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