Respiratory diseases and their prevention

There are a huge number of respiratory diseases, the study and treatment of which is engaged in a separate section of medicine - pulmonology. Every person encounters such pathologies from time to time. In addition, each disease is accompanied by a unique set of symptoms and requires appropriate treatment.

Of course, many people are interested in additional information. What are the symptoms of respiratory illness and injury? What are the causes of the appearance of inflammatory and purulent processes? What to do if there are disorders of the respiratory system? What diagnostic and treatment methods does modern medicine offer? Are there any complications? The answers to these questions are of interest to many readers.

The main forms of pathological processes

The incidence rate of respiratory diseases is very high. There is hardly a person who at least once in his life has not encountered such problems as coughing, runny nose and sore throat. Such pathologies can be independent or develop against the background of other diseases, in particular, infectious.

There is a whole branch of medicine called pulmonology, which studies the functioning of the respiratory system and their pathologies. At the same time, the pulmonologist deals with the treatment and prevention of diseases of the trachea, lungs, bronchi, pleura, larynx, diaphragm, nearby lymph node, nerve bundles, and vessels supplying these organs.

As already mentioned, respiratory diseases are extremely diverse and in modern medicine the following types of pathological processes are distinguished:

• chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (this group includes pulmonary hypertension, emphysema, pneumosclerosis, chronic forms of bronchitis, bronchial asthma, chronic pneumonia);
• destructive diseases, for example, gangrene or lung abscess;
• lesions of the pleural cavity (hemothorax, spontaneous pneumothorax, various forms of pleurisy);
• chest injuries;
• benign tumors of the pleura and lungs, cancer, the appearance of malignant neoplasms;
• acute inflammatory diseases of the respiratory system (pneumonia , bronchitis, tracheitis);
• acute respiratory failure and conditions that lead to its development (shock lung syndrome, asthmatic status, thromboembolism);
• systemic pathologies that affect the lungs, in particular, sarcoidosis, fibrosing alveolitis, cystic fibrosis);
• congenital and acquired malformations of the trachea, lungs, bronchi.

Naturally, there are many other schemes for classifying such diseases.

Reasons for the development of diseases

The causes of respiratory diseases can be very different. In most cases, the inflammatory process is associated with the activation of a bacterial infection. Various microorganisms, including pneumococci, tuberculous mycobacteria, chlamydia, and hemophilic bacilli, can act as pathogens. Diseases of the respiratory system caused by viruses are also not uncommon - influenza viruses, colds, etc. lead to damage to various respiratory organs.

It is worth noting that sometimes the occurrence of certain pathologies is associated with the activation of conditionally pathogenic microflora, in particular, streptococci, staphylococci, etc. In this case, the work of the immune system plays a huge role.

By the way, infection is not the only factor causing respiratory diseases. Biology in this case is much more complicated. For example, there are dozens of pathologies of allergic origin. To date, there are several main groups of allergens:

• household, for example, particles of skin, dust, etc.
• medicinal (allergic reactions often develop while taking this or that drug; often with antibiotics, enzymes leads to such lesions);
• food allergens (citrus fruits, cocoa, milk, honey);
• often allergic reactions occur after contact with pollen of plants;
• exposure to allergens of animal origin (wool, particles of the epidermis, proteins secreted during the course of life) is also possible;
• yeast and mold also secrete substances that can cause a reaction from the respiratory system;
• allergies can be associated with the use of chemicals, cosmetics, household cleaners / detergents, etc.

It is worth noting that there are also some risk factors, when exposed to which, patients are more likely to develop internal diseases. The respiratory system functions well with protection from the immune system. Any weakening of the immune system increases the risk of developing pathology. The list of adverse factors includes:

• smoking, alcohol abuse and other bad habits;
• living in a territory with poor ecology;
• adverse climatic conditions (living in areas with high humidity, atmospheric pressure fluctuations, low temperatures);
• the presence in the body of foci of chronic inflammation;
• occupational risks (work with potentially hazardous chemicals).

Respiratory diseases: a summary of common symptoms

What signs are worth paying attention to? In fact, diseases of the respiratory system are accompanied by various symptoms. Several common features of the clinical picture can be distinguished.

• Dyspnea. This is one of the very first and characteristic signs of respiratory system diseases. In some patients, breathing difficulties occur during physical activity, while in others, they are also present at rest. A similar symptom is accompanied by pneumonia, bronchitis, tracheitis.
• Pain. Many patients complain of discomfort and chest pain that may occur, for example, during a coughing fit.
• Cough. It is difficult to find a respiratory disease that, to one degree or another, would not be associated with a cough. Such a reflex act may be accompanied by sputum production or be dry, asphyxiating.
• Hemoptysis - a symptom that is often accompanied by diseases such as pneumonia, tuberculosis, lung cancer. If there are impurities of blood in the sputum, then this indicates a dangerous violation - you should immediately consult a doctor.
• Intoxication. If we are talking about inflammatory and infectious diseases, then patients will certainly be worried about the symptoms of general intoxication of the body. There is an increase in body temperature, muscle aches, weakness, fatigue, irritability.

Upper respiratory tract diseases

Respiratory diseases and their prevention are important information that many people are interested in. Of course, there are dozens of such pathologies, which are conditionally divided into diseases of the airways and the lungs proper. Consider a list of the most common problems.

• Rhinitis, perhaps, can be considered the most common disease of the airways. This pathology is accompanied by inflammation of the mucous membranes of the nose. From time to time, everyone experiences a runny nose. In the initial stages, the disease is accompanied by swelling and nasal congestion. Then there are abundant mucous secretions, sometimes with impurities of pus. It is worth noting that rhinitis appears against a background of various infectious diseases, in particular, with flu, scarlet fever, measles, etc. In addition, a runny nose and nasal congestion may indicate an allergic reaction.
• Anosmia - a pathology that is accompanied by a violation of smell. This disease may be the result of trauma to the nasal septum. Some genetic abnormalities and congenital anatomical abnormalities can lead to the same result.
• Sinusitis is a disease characterized by inflammation of the sinuses. The ailment is accompanied by nasal congestion, copious discharge, periodically appearing headaches. There is also weakness, fever and other symptoms of intoxication. Most often, sinusitis is a kind of complication after the flu previously transmitted by a person, measles, scarlet fever and some other infectious diseases.
• Adenoiditis is a disease accompanied by inflammation of the nasal tonsil. According to statistics, this disease is most susceptible to children aged three to eleven years. The tissues and shape of the tonsils change, making nasal breathing difficult. Such problems lead to sleep disturbances - the child cannot rest normally, becomes irritable, complains of constant tiredness and distraction. Perhaps the appearance of headaches, a change in the timbre of the voice. Some patients have hearing problems.
• Tonsillitis is characterized by flushing and swelling of the tonsils located in the pharynx. As a rule, inflammation in this area is associated with the activity of a viral and / or bacterial infection. The acute form of the disease is accompanied by swelling of the pharynx, breathing problems, pain during swallowing, and fever. If untreated, there is a high likelihood of the disease becoming chronic. It is worth noting that chronic tonsillitis is dangerous. Despite the absence of external symptoms and discomfort, the chronic inflammatory process is accompanied by the release of dangerous toxins that adversely affect myocardial tissue.
• Pharyngitis is called inflammation of the mucous membranes of the pharynx. This pathology may be associated with the activity of pathogenic microorganisms or the prolonged inhalation (sometimes ingestion) of potentially dangerous chemicals that irritate the tissues of the pharynx. Pharyngitis is accompanied by the appearance of a dry cough. Patients complain of burning and sore throat.
• Laryngitis is associated with inflammatory damage to the tissues of the larynx. The disease is accompanied by fever, hoarseness, dry throat, discomfort. At the first stages of the development of the disease, a dry cough appears. At night, coughing fits become suffocating. Sputum gradually begins to stand out. The disease can occur against the background of infection, hypothermia, exposure to other environmental factors.
• A pharyngeal abscess is a dangerous pathology, which is accompanied by an accumulation of purulent masses in the submucous membrane of the pharynx. Patients complain of severe pain when swallowing. The disease requires immediate treatment.
• It is also worth noting that in almost all parts of the respiratory system tumors can form, both benign and malignant. Similar diseases are accompanied by pain, weakness, asthenia, bleeding.

Lesions of the bronchi and lungs

Modern medicine knows a huge number of respiratory diseases. First aid and an effective treatment regimen largely depends on the causes and localization of the pathological process. If we talk about diseases of the lungs and bronchi directly, then we can distinguish several of the most common ailments.

• Bronchitis is characterized by acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchial mucosa. As a rule, the disease begins with a dry cough and fever. As the disease develops, the cough becomes moist and is accompanied by the release of mucopurulent sputum. The disease is well treatable.
• Pneumonia is accompanied by an infectious and inflammatory lesion of the lung tissue (the cause may be a viral, bacterial, fungal infection, penetration of simple parasites into the body). The pathological process affects the alveoli, as a result of which their cavities are filled with fluid. Ailment is characterized by severe treatment. The likelihood of complications is high. Therapy is carried out in a hospital, as it often requires intravenous administration of drugs and constant monitoring of the patient's condition.
• Bronchial asthma is a chronic inflammatory pathology associated with allergic reactions. Patients narrow the lumen of the bronchi, their patency is impaired. The ailment is accompanied by asthma attacks, coughing and other breathing problems.
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases are associated with inflammation of non-allergic origin. The lumen of the bronchi narrows, which leads to a chronic violation of gas exchange in the tissues of the body.
• Respiratory distress syndrome is characterized by the development of acute respiratory failure, which is associated with lung damage. This is a dangerous condition, which is accompanied by pulmonary edema, chest pain, cough, purulent sputum.
• Pulmonary thromboembolism is accompanied by a blockage of the vessel by a thrombus. This is a dangerous condition that, if untreated, may result in the death of the patient.
• Pleurisy is an ailment that is accompanied by inflammation of the pleural membrane that covers the lungs. Pathology may be accompanied by the appearance of exudate and its accumulation between the pleura sheets.

Primary diagnosis

Respiratory diseases are diverse, therefore, various procedures are performed during the diagnosis.

• As a rule, at first the doctor makes an anamnesis, collects information about the symptoms.
• Auscultation allows a specialist to hear uncharacteristic wheezing in the lungs.
• Percussion (percussion) is a procedure that is carried out in order to determine the boundaries of the lungs and to find out how much their volume is reduced.
• A general examination is performed (e.g., a throat examination).
• The patient gives blood for analysis - such testing allows you to determine the presence of an inflammatory process in the body.
• For verification, sputum samples are taken, which are then examined for the presence of antipytic cells. Bacteriological culture is also carried out, which will allow to isolate the causative agent of the disease and to conduct the effectiveness of drugs.

Instrumental diagnostics

Of course, examination and laboratory tests give doctors the opportunity to suspect the presence of a disease. Nevertheless, additional procedures are performed to make an accurate diagnosis:

• X-ray of the lungs allows you to determine the presence of foci of inflammation, to determine their size, number, location;
• angiopulmonography is a procedure that allows you to examine the work of blood vessels and is performed with suspected thromboembolism;
• bronchography and bronchoscopy is performed to check the operation of the bronchi, the detection of various anatomical abnormalities, neoplasms, etc .;
• CT of the lungs allows the doctor to obtain three-dimensional images of the respiratory organs, assess their condition, and detect certain violations.

Conservative treatment methods

Respiratory diseases in children and adults are very common. Each pathology has its own causes and a unique set of symptoms. That is why therapy is selected depending on the origin and characteristics of the course of the disease, the general condition and age of the patient. The treatment regimen may include:

• antitoxic drugs (for example, "Polyvinol", "Neocompensan");
• anti-inflammatory drugs that help relieve pain and swelling, stop the further development of the inflammatory process (Ibuprofen, Nurofen, Paracetamol, Reopirin, Hydrocortisone);
• antibiotics (usually a wide spectrum of exposure);
• respiratory diseases caused by viruses require the use of antiviral and immunomodulating drugs (Amizon);
• expectorants help cleanse the lungs of mucous congestion;
• antihistamines help relieve spasm and swelling, block the further development of allergic reactions;
• painkillers and antipyretics help relieve symptoms ("Analgin", "Aspirin");
• bronchodilator drugs (“Eufilin” is considered effective);
• antitussive drugs help cope with suffocating coughing fits (Codeine, Amezil);
• sometimes respiratory stimulants are used.

Other therapeutic measures

Conservative treatment of respiratory diseases, as a rule, gives good results. Nevertheless, patients are often recommended classes in therapeutic and respiratory gymnastics, special massage, physiotherapeutic procedures (for example, warming up), and spa treatment. Such manipulations help to quickly restore the full functioning of organs and prevent the development of complications.

Unfortunately, some internal respiratory diseases require surgical intervention. For example, surgery is indicated for patients with rupture or severe damage to the pleura, abscesses, thromboembolism, benign or malignant neoplasms.

Respiratory Disease Prevention

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• Overcooling and overheating should be avoided, as this increases the likelihood of developing certain pathologies. It is important to dress according to the weather, not to “wrap up” too much in summer and spring and to give preference to warm clothes in the winter.
• Regular breathing exercises will have a positive effect on the state of the respiratory system.
• It is important to avoid stress, since any emotional overstrain affects the level of certain hormones, which in turn can reduce the activity of the immune system.

There are many factors that can lead to the development of the disease. And respiratory diseases can be prevented by avoiding the negative effects of the external and internal environment. And of course, when the first symptoms appear, you need to consult a specialist. Such ailments are much easier to treat if you start treatment in the early stages.