Respiratory Disease Summary

Respiratory DiseaseLeslie ThompsonHCS/245September 22, 2014Sheela AlvaradoRespiratory DiseaseThe respiratory system involves breathing and the exchange of gases. It supplies oxygen to vital cells to live and function correctly. It also helps get rid of carbon dioxide, which is a product of cellular waste. The respiratory system is divided into two parts the upper respiratory system includes the nose, sinuses, larynx, pharynx, and mouth. The lower respiratory system which make up the lungs includes the bronchioles, bronchi, and trachea. “The gas exchange takes place in the alveoli, which are found at the distal end of the terminal bronchioles. Alveoli are tiny air sacs, oxygen and carbon dioxide is exchanged” (Neighbors & Tannehill-Johnson,
The muscle become tighten and restricts the airway which makes it difficult for one to breathe. An asthmatic individual may experience coughing, chest tightness, wheezing and dyspnea. Doctors diagnose asthma by a lung function test and medical assessment which includes history, symptoms and physical exam. According to “Center for Disease Control and Prevention” (2014), “An asthma attack can happen when you are exposed to “asthma triggers” (Learn How to Control Asthma). “The most common triggers are tobacco smoke, dust mites, outdoor mites, outdoor pollution, cockroach allergen, pets, mold and smoke from burning wood or grass” (“Center For Disease Control and Prevention”, 2014). Asthma can be treated and managed by identifying triggers, avoiding triggers and complying with daily medication. Asthma can be classified as secondary and tertiary. Tertiary prevention can be established by avoiding triggers and using medication. Secondary prevention can be established by focusing on interventions to prevent further complications by educating patient on compliance of medications and triggers to
In the United States about 25 million people have asthma- one out of every 12 people” (Asthma Facts). There is not one specific group of individuals asthma affects. Asthma affects infants, school age children, middle age adults and seniors. According to “Center for Disease Control and Prevention” (2014), “It’s more common in children than adults” (Asthma Facts). Children miss excessive amount of school due to this disease. This can be challenging for the child and as well as parents. Asthma has an enormous financial burden. The cost in the U.S is over $50 billion per year in health care expenses, missed school and work days, and early death. The National Asthma Education and Prevention of the National Institute of Health’s National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute issued guidelines to manage asthma. According to "Center For Disease Control And Prevention" (2014), “These guidelines translated advances in scientific and clinical research into practical advice for people with asthma , for health care providers who look after them, and for the communities where they live” (Asthma Facts). The guidelines basically educate and promote the health care providers and individuals with asthma how to manage this chronic disease. The goal would be to decrease deaths, hospitalization, cost and loss in productivity. Prevention and management of asthma is