Concept and Etiology
c c c c c Pleural Effusion can be described as a "Build-up of excess fluids between the layers of the pleura
outside the lungs". Pleura being the two thin outside layers of the lungs that protect them and
facilitate breathing. So, in terms of the definition of Health discussed in the first discussion, this
condition can affect your health in a negative way. There are typically small amounts of fluid
present to aid in lubrication of the lungs. However, with Pleural Effusion there is too much and can
hinder breathing, potentially causes more health problems.
Classification
c c c c c They are classified as exudates and transudates. Exudates being that local factors are affected,
like the lungs themselves. As far as transudates, this refers to systematic factors are affected. For
example, raised blood pressure.
Clinical Manifestations
c c c c c c c Symptoms can include chest pain, dry cough, shortness, or difficulty breathing. This can be
caused by things like heart failure, surgery, lung cancer and more. Some signs could be hearing a
raspy cough, listening to the lungs, or observing someone with laboured breathing.
Diagnostic Tests
c c c c c c In terms of testing for Pleural Effusion there are a few options. They include a chest X-ray, CT
scan of the chest, ultrasound of the chest and an examination of fluid expelled.
How does the disease effect the respiratory system in particular? How does it deviate from the
definition of health discussed in Module One?
Asthma is a condition that causes your airways to narrow, swell and at times produce extra mucus.
This causes restriction to the airway path making it difficult for one to breathe. When you
experience a trigger, the insides of your airways swell even more. This narrows the space for air to
move in and out the lungs. The muscles that wrap around your airways also can tighten, making
breathing even harder. When that happens, it’s called an asthma flare-up, asthma episode or
asthma “attack.” (lung.org)
One function of the lungs is to help us breathe, if we are unable to breathe, we are then in essence
not alive. The human body needs air to survive.
How is the disease classified?
According to the cause:
Extrinsic- Allergens, food, pollen, dust and medications
Intrinsic- Respiratory Infections, air pollution, smoke, emotional stress
Nocturnal- Often happens at night, Bronchoconstriction
Exercise Induced- Usually occurs 10-15 minutes after physical activity end
Occupational- Reaction to substance encountered at work. Ex: Plastic
Drug Induced- Usually caused by aspirin
Clinical Manifestations
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Dyspnoea (difficulty breathing)
Cough
Anxiety
Tachypnoea (rapid breathing)
Diagnostic Test
Physical Examination
Pulmonary Function Test
Chest X-ray
Challenge Testing
Allergy Testing
Concept and Etiology:
Asthma is a major noncommunicable disease (NCD) across the world that can affect both adults and
children (World Health Organization, 2021). The respiratory system can get affected with asthma
disease where the mucous glands can become swollen muscles within the bronchioles and bronchi
result in the narrowed airway. Moreover, it can sometimes lead to result in chesty cough or
wheeze, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. The asthma disease deviates from the definition
of health because it cannot be cured, but the proper care and inhaled medications can be effective
for the person to control the disease and give a chance to live a normal and active life (World
Health Organization, 2021).
Classification of Asthma:
Based on frequency of symptoms and objective measures like spirometry results and peak flow
measurements results, the asthma disease can be classified into four categories: mild persistent,
mild intermittent, severe persistent, and moderate persistent (WebMD, 2021).
Clinical Manifestations (Symptoms and Signs) of Asthma:
In general, asthma disease has the symptoms like wheezing, coughing, especially at night, chest
tightness, pressure or pain, and shortness of breath. However, there are some early signs that warn
the person about asthma. These signs appear before the beginning of symptoms that includes:
losing breath easily or shortness of breath; frequent night cough; wheezing or coughing after
exercise; feeling very tired or weak while doing some physical exercising; decreases or changes in
lung function; trouble sleeping; feeling tired, easily upset, moody or grouchy; and other signs of a
cold or allergies (WebMD, 2021).
Diagnostic Tests:
A doctor does some of the physical examinations to illuminate the diagnosis of chronic obstructive
pulmonary disease (COPD) or respiratory infection. The doctor may ask to go for spirometry and
peak flow test to measure the lung's infections. Apart from that, some of the additional diagnostic
tests may also be conducted like imaging tests, methacholine challenge, nitric oxide test, allergy
testing, sputum eosinophils, and provocative testing for exercise and cold-induced asthma (Mayo
Foundation for Medical Education and Research, 2020).
Atelectasis
Concept and Etiology: Atelectasis is a complete or partial collapse of the lung. It is one of the most
common respiratory complications after surgery (Mayo Clinic, 2018). It occurs when the alveoli be
deflated or filled with fluid. This means the affect part of the lung cannot take in oxygen for organs
and tissues (Lasky, 2020). atelectasis occurs due to one of three processes: compression of lung
tissue (compressive atelectasis), absorption of alveolar air (resorptive atelectasis), or impaired
pulmonary surfactant production or function (Grott & Dunlap, 2019).
Classification: atelectasis can categorize into obstructive, non-obstructive, postoperative, and
rounded atelectasis. 90% of cases are post operative cases (Grott & Dunlap, 2019).
Clinical Manifestations (Symptoms and Signs): While in some cases there is no symptoms with mild
cases, more severe cases have symptoms that are present and they are usually:
Difficulty breathing
Rapid, shallow breathing
Wheezing
Cough
Diagnostic Tests: Chest X-ray, Chest CT and/or thoracic ultrasonography are useful in the diagnosis
of atelectasis. Atelectasis can also be seen during a fibreoptic bronchoscopy (Grott & Dunlap, 2019.
References
Grott, K., & Dunlap, J. D. (2019, August 22). Atelectasis. Nih.gov; Stat Pearls Publishing.
https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK545316/
Lasky, J. (2020). Atelectasis. Salem Press Encyclopaedia of Health.
Mayo Clinic. (2018). Atelectasis - Symptoms and causes. Mayo Clinic.
https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/atelectasis/symptoms-causes/syc-20369684
Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. (2020, August 11). Asthma. Mayo Clinic.
Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-
conditions/asthma/diagnosis-treatment/drc-20369660.
World Health Organization. (2021). Asthma. World Health Organization. Retrieved November 10,
2021, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/asthma.
WebMD. (2021). Adult-onset asthma symptoms, treatments, causes, types, and Health Tools.
WebMD. Retrieved November 10, 2021, from https://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/adult-onset-
asthma#:~:text=Asthma%20is%20classified%20into%20four%20categories%20based%20upon,inter
mittent%3B%20mild%20persistent%3B%20moderate%20persistent%3B%20and%20severe%20persis
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