DISEASES AFFECTING THE RESPIRATORY AND CIRCULATORY SYSTEMS

• The circulatory and the respiratory systems are two of the most vital systems in your body. Together, they allow your body to absorb nutrients, take up oxygen, and eliminate carbon dioxide (CO2) and other wastes.
• Circulatory system


  The body's transport system, carrying blood to and from the heart and the entire body
• Respiratory system


  Helps you breathe
• Disorders of the Respiratory System

  • Obstructive
  • Restrictive
  • Vascular
  • Infectious/Environmental
• Emphysema


  • A condition in which a person has trouble breathing
  • One type of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
  • Occurs when certain air sacs in the lungs have been damaged and the alveolar membrane that assists in the exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide has depleted
  • CO, is not expelled properly from the lungs
• Asthma


  • An obstructive respiratory disorder caused by the inflammation of the air passage, which narrows the path and blocks the normal flow of air within the respiratory tract
  • Symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, and dry cough
  • Can be triggered by allergic reactions to objects in the environment
• Bronchitis


  • A respiratory condition involving the bronchial tubes
  • Caused by an infection in the air passages of the lungs, which increases the production of mucus and results in severe coughing
  • Two types: chronic and acute
  • Chronic bronchitis is characterized by an overactive mucus gland, resulting in the excessive secretion of mucus within the bronchi
• Cystic Fibrosis


  • A genetic respiratory disorder that results from a malfunctioning gene that causes excessive mucus buildup in the air passages
  • The accumulation of mucus blocks the airways and results in an infection
  • Also affects other organs of the body, such as the pancreas
• Sarcoidosis


  • A condition in which immune cells grow granulomas, cellular lumps in any organ of the body that affect mostly the lungs and the lymph nodes in the chest
  • Caused by genetic malformation, infection, environmental factors, and harmful substances
• Pleural Effusion


  • Occurs when excess liquid accumulates around the pleural layers surrounding the lungs and the chest cavity
  • Characterized by chest pain, dry cough, shortness of breath or inability to breathe normally
  • May be caused by a viral infection or other lung conditions like pneumonia, or signify a more serious illness
• Pneumonia


  • Inflammation of tissues in the alveoli due to the buildup of fluid in the air sacs
  • Caused by viruses or bacteria
  • Common symptoms include excessive coughing, coughing up blood, breathing difficulties, fever, sweating, shivering, chest pain, and nausea
• Tuberculosis (TB)


  • An infectious disease acquired by inhaling the particles from the coughs or sneezes of a person with tuberculosis
  • Caused by a bacterium that primarily damages the lungs, but may affect other parts of the body
  • Common symptoms include prolonged coughing, unwanted weight loss, fatigue, fever, and swelling in the neck
  • Two types: latent (not contagious) and active (contagious)
• Asbestosis


  • A chronic respiratory condition that commonly damages the lungs when one inhales asbestos
  • Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, constant wheezing, fatigue, chest pain, and in some cases, swollen fingertips
• Pulmonary Edema


  • Fluid accumulates in the air sacs of the lungs, causing difficulty in breathing
  • May be caused by other respiratory or circulatory diseases
  • Common symptoms include prolonged coughing, breathing difficulties, and chest pain
• Pulmonary Embolism


  • Occurs when a blood clot forms in an artery in the lungs and obstructs the blood flow
  • Symptoms include sudden difficulty in breathing, intense chest pain, and a foamy cough
• Pulmonary Hypertension


  • Occurs when the blood vessels in the lungs experience high blood pressure, which can stiffen or damage the vessel
  • Common symptoms include shortness of breath, fatigue, chest pain, and lightheadedness
• The respiratory system is built with protective tissues and a defense system that guard the respiratory tract from invading pathogens.
• Coughing


  The body's method of eliminating inhaled dust, mucus, and other debris gathered in the lungs
• Breathing exercises are recommended for cleaning up the lungs from pathogens.
• Disorders of the Circulatory System

  • Atherosclerosis
  • Anemia
  • Leukemia
  • Hypertension
  • Coronary Heart Disease
  • Rheumatic Heart Disease
  • Congenital Heart Disease
• Atherosclerosis


  • A circulatory ailment of the arteries where cholesterol and fat-absorbing cells block the big blood vessels and intervene with the blood supply throughout the body
  • Can lead to stroke, which may result in permanent disability or untimely death
  • Symptoms depend on which arteries are affected
• Anemia


  • Occurs when blood lacks healthy red blood cells and hemoglobin, resulting in insufficient distribution of oxygen throughout the body
  • Symptoms include fatigue, paleness, lightheadedness, and shortness of breath
  • Commonly caused by lack of iron and other vitamin deficiencies
• Leukemia


  • A type of cancer in the blood and the bone marrow that attacks the immune system
  • Characterized by the presence of immature blood cells and abnormal production of white blood cells
  • Symptoms include frequent bruising, gum bleeding, tenderness of the bones, high fever, and night sweating
• Hypertension


  • Also known as high blood pressure, occurs when a buildup of cholesterol narrows the path of blood in the arteries, making it harder for the heart to pump blood
  • Often asymptomatic, but extremely high blood pressure can lead to headaches and nosebleeds
  • Risk factors include poor diet, smoking, alcohol, obesity, and stress
• Coronary Heart Disease


  • Occurs when the arteries that supply blood to the heart harden and narrow due to cholesterol plaque accumulation
  • Can lead to heart attack, heart failure, and arrhythmia
  • Symptoms may not be experienced in early stages, but severe cases cause intense chest pain
• Rheumatic Heart Disease


  • Characterized by inflammation of the inner lining and failure of the heart valve to close
  • Usually begins with strep throat infection leading to rheumatic fever, which damages heart tissues and valves
  • Symptoms include shortness of breath, palpitations, and arrhythmia
• Congenital Heart Disease


  • An inborn abnormality in the structure of the heart that develops during the fetal stage
  • Often caused by illness or infection during the mother's pregnancy
  • Commonly characterized by shortness of breath and blueness in the nails, signifying low oxygen and blood circulation