Essays on Emphysema

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‘Institution’ Emphysema is an irreversible condition, wherein air spaces in the lungs are enlarged, specifically those beyond the terminal bronchioles and most notably in the alveoli resulting in alveolar wall damage and airflow obstruction. This is most common among chronic smokers. (Braun, 2007) The development of an inflammation in the small airways is mainly the source of obstruction. In moderate to severe emphysema, the primary cause of obstruction is the loss of elastic recoil in the alveoli. Along with the airway obstruction, vascular changes in the lungs can be noted that will make the lining of the arteries and ...

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) refers to emphysema and chronic bronchitis. Stoller claims that COPD has been the interest of many researchers recently. The disease caused about 2.5 million deaths in 2000 (Stoller, 2012). Normally, there are two lungs in the chest. Lobes are sections that make up lungs. Ribcage protects the lungs. They remove carbon dioxide from the body and bring oxygen into it. The nose and the cough are the ways in which lungs protect themselves. People breathe in air through the mouse or nose (Thoracic.org, 2015). Then the air moves down the trachea. The epiglottis controls ...

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Introduction Chronic Obstructive pulmonary disease also known as COPD is a group of diseases which make breathing difficult by obstructing airflow and causing other breathing related problems (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention [CDC], 2015). This disease which is described by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) as progressive because it worsens over time includes chronic bronchitis, emphysema and asthma in some cases (CDC, 2013; NHLBI, 2013a). In developing countries, poor quality of indoor air is suspected to play a major role in the disease development and progression whereas in the Unites States, tobacco smoke is reported ...

COPD is a medical condition that is characterized by alteration in lung parenchyma, bronchitis, emphysema and narrowing of the respiratory passages. It occurs as a consequence to chronic inflammation reaction involving the respiratory tract. The mucous secretion and fibrosis associated with chronic inflammation, can cause blockage and narrowing of the airway. Bronchitis refers to inflammation of the inner lining of the lung, while, emphysema is a clinical condition that occurs following the long term destruction of lung parenchyma. Bronchitis and emphysema are both characteristic features of COPD. Destruction of lung parenchyma causes loss of alveolar attachment and decreases the ...

After analysing the details of Robert Reid from the case study, it is evident that some of the his risk factors for Coronary Heart Disease (CHD) and Hypertension include the fact that he is male, old age, has a family history of CHD and he is African-American. The other factors that predispose him to CHD and hypertension that he can control include obesity, long periods of physical inactivity, unhealthy eating habits and the low levels of High Density Lipoproteins (HDL) and high levels of Low density Lipoproteins (LDL) (Pedersen et al. p.1383). Complications that could result from the latter ...

Introduction

This paper aims at evaluating concepts of alteration in homeostatic state, secondary to temporal variables. It analyses the case study of Brad, a 45-year old coal cutter who has held the job for 25 years. Brad is experiencing a chronic cough due to prolonged exposure to coal. Importantly, he has not been attending yearly checkups because he fears that his lung is “black.” The disease leads to fibrosis, reduced diffusing ability, and dilation of the small airways. In the final stage, the airways, alveoli, and pulmonary capillaries become damaged.

How the disease described in the case study creates incongruous between ventilation and perfusion

Chronic lung disease may induce mismatch in ventilation and perfusion ...

The primary cause of emphysema is smoking cigarettes. CH and other patients with emphysema are at risk of the destruction of the alveoli and different cancers, coronary artery diseases, heart failures, cerebral vascular diseases, osteoporosis, and some anxiety diseases. Emphysema is a complex respiratory disease and is usually associated with various systemic symptoms. A low BMI and relatively high rates of dyspnoea contribute to impaired exercise tolerance and promote a dreadful forecast beyond the respiratory obstruction. Emphysema sufferers are vulnerable to some conditions such as lung cancer, anemia, depression, coronary artery diseases, and dysfunctional skeletal myopathy. COPD has been ...

Describe the underlying pathology of COPD and the common pathological characteristics of the condition. Discuss the impact these pathological changes have on normal function, including how alveolar ventilation might be different in Mr Wenham compared to a normal individual. The hallmark pathological attributes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are one, poorly reversible airflow obstruction and two, a progressive atypical inflammatory response within the lungs. The abnormal inflammatory response denotes the responses of the innate and adaptive immune systems to long-standing exposure to noxious gases and particles especially cigarette smoke. Notably, all cigarette smokers have some degree of inflammation ...

Emphysema is a type of COPD (Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary disease) that progressively damages the alveoli (air sacs) in the lungs and is mainly associated with smoking (Wells et al., 2012). The disease mainly causes breathing difficulties whereby this is associated with over-inflation of the air sacs in the lungs. As such, “barrel chest” configuration is among the key characteristics for emphysema whereby individuals suffering from the disease usually develop a “barrel chest” following progression of the disease. Based on the case study, the nurse would obviously expect the patient to have a “barrel chest” since he has had the ...

This is a case of a 60 year old elderly with complaints of persistent coughing for at least the past three months with pulmonary secretions. The patient’s name is A.D. (initials used for confidentiality purposes). She lives with her family and it was her daughter, D.F., who brought her to the hospital for medical consult. The doctors from the hospital conducted a comprehensive physical examination and found out what the main problems are; they also laid out an initial plan of action and the parties agreed with a course of action. I encountered numerous challenges when I got ...

Pulmonary emphysema is a pathological condition of the lung tissue, which is characterized by its increased airiness due to the expansion of the alveoli, as well as the destruction of alveolar walls. This disease happens with males twice as often than with females. The risk of development of emphysema among people with chronic obstructive pulmonary illnesses is very high, especially after 55 years (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2014).

Factors that Provoke the Development of Emphysema

At the present time there are many causes and risk factors of pulmonary emphysema, with which a person meets almost every day. Some of them we will consider now. The main cause ...

Introduction

The reflection notion aids academic nurses to practice their profession. The patients’ medical history aids the nurse to prosper. The case study decreases explicit difficulty and complications subsequent to physical examination. It discloses evidence focused conventional medical assessment. The study helps numerous and multifaceted desires of an individual. This study augments both multidisciplinary growth and interdisciplinary growth. Nursing interventions are deeds assumed via a nurse to advance the patient’s treatment course. In numerous countries, specialized nursing establishments have fashioned multifaceted grouping schemes for nursing interventions, generating a consistent system, which can be utilized d by all nurses to offer ...

Introduction

As people grow older there are certain biological and cognitive changes that take place in the body. The human body experiences decreased capabilities in its respiratory, cardiovascular, digestive, neural and urinary functions. Due to the adverse challenges that the elderly face in their later life, it would be great for the various scientists and experts to come together and research more on the theories of aging or the causes of aging. They can come up with more treatments that will increase the immunity system of the old people. This way the older people are able to live their last ...