1.Pleurisyhttps://apnacare.me/?p=457
Pleurisy, also known as pleuritis, is an infection of pleura, made up of two thin layers of tissue that separate your lungs from your chest wall. Here are a few points on pleurisy.
Symptoms
Chest pain tends to be sharp, and this is rather a single most commonly presenting feature of pleurisy. The pain, worrying, worsens with breathing, sneezing, and cough.
Shortness of breath: Sometimes accompanied by difficulty in breathing.
Cough: A dry cough may be present.
Fever: Fever may present itself with chills whenever the pleurisy is due to infection.
Spreading pain: The pain may radiate to the shoulder or back.
Causes
Infections: Viral or bacterial infections are the commonest organisms.
Autoimmune Diseases: Autoimmune conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis can trigger pleurisy.
Pulmonary Embolism: A pulmonary embolism could be the cause.
Lung Conditions: Sometimes, pneumonia, lung cancer, and other lung diseases could contribute to the occurrence of pleurisy.
Injury: Trauma or injury to the chest.
Diagnosis
Medical History with Physical Exam: Your health care provider will assess your symptoms and medical history.
Imaging: Chest X-ray, CT scans, or ultrasound can be done for the detection of inflammation and other problems.
Blood Tests: Blood tests work well for detecting an infection.
Pleural Fluid Analysis: If pleural fluid is present, it may be tested to determine the cause.
Treatment
Pain Relief: Nonsteroid antiinflammatory drugs, acetaminophen, or ibuprofen provide relief from pain.
Treating the Root Cause: Treating the cause itself sets the contents, such as antibiotics for bacterial infections and anticoagulants for blood clots.
Drainage: In cases of large pleural effusion (presence of excess fluid), it may need to be drained by a chest tube.
Rest and Breathing Exercises: Rest with some gentle breathing exercises may ease symptoms.
2.What is PLEURISY
Pleurisy is also called pleuritis. This refers to a respiratory disease in which the outer lining of the lungs pleura is inflamed. Pleura is a double-layered membrane that surrounds the lungs and rib cage. This condition is painful when breathing occurs. In some cases, it is associated with yet another condition, termed pleural effusion, wherein there is the accumulation of fluid between the two pleural layers. It is associated with a sharp pain in the chest and consequent restriction of breathing.
Causes of Pleurisy
- Pleurisy is caused by a varied plethora of conditions.
- Infectious agents such as viral infections, namely flu or influenza
- Bacteria, namely tuberculosis, such as pneumonia.
- Sickle cell anemia and pancreatitis
- Lung cancer
- Heart surgery
- Certain medications
Prevention
Vaccination: Keeping vaccinations up to date may help prevent infections leading to pleurisy.
Avoiding Smoking: Avoiding both smoking and secondhand smoke can lower one’s risk.
Protective Measures: Utilizing protective equipment in environments where potential lung irritants exist can help.
3.Autoimmune diseases
Autoimmune diseases develop when the immune system momentarily perceives itself for deadly invaders and begins attacking healthy cells within the body. Some important facts in the field of auto-immunology are:
Common Autoimmune Diseases
Rheumatoid Arthritis (RA): This condition causes inflammation in the joints and causes pain, swelling, and stiffness.
Lupus: Symptoms are generally manifold.
Type 1 Diabetes: White blood cells fight off insulin-producing cells in the pancreas, and sugar in the blood increases.
Multiple Sclerosis (MS): Myelin damage hampers transmission of messages between body and brain.
Hashimoto’s: When thyroid cells are infiltrated by the immune system and cause hypothyroidism.
Celiac Disease: Literally meaning ‘celiac disease’ is when gluten causes damage to the lining of the small intestine.
Psoriasis: Red patches of thickened shin.
Sjögren’s: Attacks the seromucous glands associated with producing tears and saliva, hence leading to dryness of the mouth and eyes.
Symptom.
Fatigue is tiredness that manifests in doing work and which lasts beyond a day.
Pain: General aches.
Fever: Often low-grade.
Swelling: Though not specific to the immune system, swelling may occur in various parts of the body.
Rashes: With rashes manifesting as varying complexion conditions.
Difficulty concentrating: With cognitive interference and an inability to think clearly.
Numbness and tingling: Application to the body such as fingers and toes.
Causes and Risk Factors Genetics: Genetic predisposition could increasing the risk.
Environmental Factors: Exposure to specific chemicals, infections, and injurious sunlight could trigger the immune disease.
Hormonal Factors: Some autoimmune diseases have an increased incidence among females due to hormonal balances.
Other Health Conditions: Some other autoimmune diseases.
Therapy:
Anti-inflammatory drugs, immunosuppressants, and biologics for the treatment of symptoms and the control of the immune response2.
Lifestyle changes: Modifications in diet, exercise, and stress-reducing measures would improve general health.
Physical therapy: To maintain movement and function of the involved joints.
Follow-up: Regular check-ups so that the progress of disease and therapy can be monitored.
Prevention:
Vaccination: Staying current on vaccinations that may prevent the types of infections that may spawn autoimmune responses.
Healthy living: Proper diet, exercise, and no smoking.
Avoidance of triggers: Minimization of exposure to possible environmental triggers.
4.Pulmonary Embolism
Pulmonary embolism is a serious condition in which a blood clot lodges into an artery in the lungs, blocking blood flow and causing various symptoms. Here are some key points regarding pulmonary embolism:
Signs and Symptoms:
Shortness of Breath: Sudden onset; usually worse with exertion.
Chest Pain: Sharp and stabbing chest pain that may get worse with deep breathing, coughing, or bending over.
Cough: Sometimes with blood-streaked or bloody mucus.
Leg Pain or Swelling: Usually in the calf, indicating possible deep venous thrombosis (DVT).
Rapid Heartbeat: Fast or irregular pulse.
Feelings of Dizziness or Fainting: Sensation of faintness or pre-fainting.
Profuse Sweating: Unusually high levels of sweating.
Skin Changes: Pale, clammy, or bluish skin (cyanosis).
Causes and Risk Factors:
Deep vein thrombosis: Most pulmonary emboli originate from blood clots that develop in the legs and travel to the lungs to cause an embolism.
Prolonged immobility: Sitting or being on bed rest for long periods, such as during long flights or after a surgical procedure.
Smoking: Increases the chances of a blood clot.
Cancer: Risk of clot formation can be increased by a few types of cancers.
Genetic factor: Some individuals have genetic anomalies that can induce a tendency toward thrombus prevention.
Hormonal factors: Some estrogen-based medication and during pregnancy, moreover obesity can augment the risk.
Injury: Any trauma or surgery can cause damage to the blood vessels and lead to clot formation.
Diagnosis:
Medical history and physical examination: Study of symptoms and risk factors involved.
Imaging tests: CT pulmonary angiography; chest X-ray or ultrasound to see if clots are present.
Blood tests: Looking for a protein called D-dimer that indicates the presence of a clot.
Pleural fluid analysis: In the event that there is some fluid build-up.
Treatment
Anticoagulants: Drugs like heparin or warfarin prevent clotting.
Thrombolytics: Medicine used to dissolve already formed clots in very serious cases.
Compression stockings: To improve blood circulation in the legs and reduce risk.
Surgery: Surgical removal of the clot may be necessary but is relatively rare.
Prevention
Stay Active: Avoid prolonged immobility.
Hydrate: Drink plenty of water, especially when traveling long distances.
Quit Smoking: Less risk of blood clots.
Follow medical advice cautiously: Follow your doctor’s advice after surgery or during illness.
Remember, pulmonary embolism is an important medical emergency; procure immediate medical attention if you experience any of the above symptoms.
5.Lung Conditions
Lung conditions include a variety of diseases affecting the lungs and the respiratory system. Some of the most common lung conditions are:
Common Lung Conditions
Asthma
Definition: A chronic disease that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
Symptoms: Wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
Triggers: Allergens, exercise, cold air, and respiratory infections.
Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)
Definition: A family of progressive lung diseases, including chronic bronchitis and emphysema, which cause airflow obstruction.
Symptoms: Shortness of breath, chronic cough, wheezing, and frequent respiratory infections.
Risk Factors: Smoking, long-term exposure to irritants, and genetic factors.
Pneumonia
Description: An infection that inflames the air sacs in one or both lungs.
Symptoms: Cough with phlegm, fever, chills, and difficulty breathing.
Causes: Bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Tuberculosis (TB)
Description: A bacterial infection caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis that primarily affects the lungs.
Symptoms: Persistent cough, fever, night sweats, and weight loss.
Transmission: Spread through airborne droplets.
Lung Cancer
Definition: Growth of abnormal cells in the lungs, which is uncontrolled.
Symptoms: It causes a persistent cough, chest pain, shortness of breath, and unexplained loss of weight.
Risk factors: Smoking, exposure to radon and asbestos, and family history.
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Describes the condition that affects the lung tissue by scar formation and hardening, creating difficulty to breathe.
Characterized by symptoms like shortness of breath, dry coughing, and fatigue.
Possible causes of this disease: idiopathic, environmental factors, or autoimmune diseases.
Pleural Effusion
Refers to fluid collection in between the pleural layers covering the lungs
Causes of symptoms such as chest pain, shortness of breath, and cough are heart failure, infections, and cancers.
Cystic Fibrosis
Description: Genetic condition that involves the lung and other organs, in which there is an excessive thick and sticky mucus accumulation.
Symptoms: Long history of coughing, lung infection, and dyspnea.
Inheritance: Autosomal recessive pattern.
Diagnosis and Treatment
Diagnosis: Physical examinations, imaging tests (X-rays, CT scans), lung function tests, blood tests, and biopsies.
Treatment: Varies based on the specific condition but might involve medications like bronchodilators, steroids, antibiotics, pulmonary rehabilitation, oxygen therapy, and even surgery in some cases.
Prevention and Management
Avoid Smoking: Don’t smoke and avoid secondhand smoke.
Vaccinations: Stay up-to-date on vaccinations to prevent infections.
Healthy Lifestyle: A balanced diet, regular exercise, and proper hydration.
Regular Check-ups: Have regular medical check-ups, if you have a history of lung conditions.