Lung Diseases Affecting the Airways

  Healthy lungs keep the body healthy as one can breathe easily without discomfort.  However, when the lung airways are affected, they are unable to supply oxygen. Aetiology or causation of this condition is that airways are unable to supply oxygen due to tobacco smoke, exposure to airborne pollutants, respiratory infections and other conditions such as rheumatoid arthritis (Shaw et al. 2002). The research finds that patients who undergo bone marrow and lung transplantation may develop airways disease. The pathogenesis or the development of airways diseases happens due to inflammation of the bronchi and bronchioles and also due to fibrosis.  When this happens, the patient may experience pulmonary changes and suffer from asthma- inflammation of the airways and characterized by wheezing and shortness of breath.  Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) - difficulty in exhaling which is characterized by wheezing and shortness of breath. Chronic Bronchitis- difficult in inhaling and exhaling due to inflammation of the bronchial tubes. Acute Bronchitis- this is an inflammation of bronchi associated with upper respiratory infections such as epiglottitis, rhinitis, sinus infection, nasopharyngitis, laryngitis and more. Cystic Fibrosis- inflammation of the bronchial tubes cause sticky mucus, coughing and lung infections (Shaw et al. 2002).

 The research finds that the common pulmonary function tests cannot easily detect the airways obstruction. The best method is to examine the lung volumes and pulmonary ventilation distribution.  Low lung volumes and nonuniformity in ventilation may indicate airways obstruction (Shaw et al. 2002).  In general, the inflammation and fibrosis of the airways lead to functional abnormalities or a condition where the air creates resistance to flow. However, this condition can be managed through early diagnosis as the physician will examine the causative factors and prevent the condition from progressing to pulmonary disability (Shaw et al. 2002).  Patients should also avoid smoking tobacco and exposure to dust to keep their lungs in a healthy condition.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reference

 Shaw, R. J., Djukanovic, R., Tashkin, D. P., Millar, A. B., Du Bois, R. M., & Corris, P. A. (2002). The role of

small airways in lung disease. Respiratory medicine, 96(2), 67-80.