Respiratory System Disorders: Types, Causes and Factors

The respiratory system is the main part of our body functioning and it is also called a major part of our body. Because oxygen that is required for life is inhaled and exhaled because of the respiratory system only.

• It gives us oxygen and releases carbon dioxide.
• The circulatory system, which consists of the heart and blood vessels, helps the respiratory system by transporting blood to and from the lungs.
• In the present-day scenario, we are seeing many diseases in the respiratory system.
• There are many disorders of the respiratory system.

Key Terms: Inhalation, Exhalation, Respiration, Respiratory disorders, Viral Infection, Allergies, Asthma, Emphysema, Chronic disease, Tuberculosis, Lung disease

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What are Respiratory System Disorders?

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“Respiratory system disorders are lung and airway diseases that affect respiration.”

• A disorder is described as a condition in which the body functions irregularly.
• Respiratory system disorders, often known as respiratory disease, are medical terms that refer to a variety of infections, allergies, and other diseases affecting the many organs, tissues, and specialized cells of the human respiratory system.
• The respiratory system comprises mostly the upper respiratory tract, alveoli, bronchi, bronchioles, trachea, pleura, and pleural cavity.
• A common cold is an example of a minor respiratory disorder, whereas more significant and life-threatening respiratory disorders include pneumonia, lung cancer, asthma, influenza, tuberculosis, and so on.

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Factors Affecting Respiratory System Disorders

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There are several factors affecting respiratory disorders some of them are:

• Smoking
• Pollution
• Genetics
• More chemicals usage
• Allergies
• Viral infections
• Increasing viruses and infections
• Human negligence

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Types of Respiratory System Disorders

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Millions of individuals throughout the world suffer from respiratory system disorders. There are three primary categories of respiratory diseases:

Airway Diseases

It affects the bronchial tubes, which move oxygen and other gases into and out of the lungs. Airway disease reduces airflow, which is related to bronchial tube narrowing or blockage.

​Lung Tissue Diseases

These are the diseases that affect the structure of the lung tissues. It causes scarring or inflammation of the tissues.

• It makes the lungs very hard to expand fully. It is also called restrictive lung disease.
• This disease makes it very hard for the lungs to inhale and exhale.
• People who are suffering from this disease will be unable to breathe in oxygen and breathe out the carbon dioxide.
• People find it hard to take the gases. Passage of air is very tough.
• As a result of this people can't breathe deeply. Some examples of these types of diseases are pulmonary fibrosis and sarcoidosis.

Lung Circulation Diseases

These are the diseases that affect the blood vessels in the lungs. They also affect the working of the blood vessels.

• These are mainly caused by the clotting of the blood vessels, scarring, or inflammation of the blood vessels.
• They affect the ability of the lungs to take up oxygen and release carbon dioxide.
• These types of diseases may also affect heart functioning.
• An example of a lung circulation disease is pulmonary hypertension.
• People who are suffering from this disease feel very short of breath when they exert themselves.

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Causes of Respiratory Diseases

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The most common respiratory disease causes include the following:

Smoking and Air Pollution

Toxins from smoking and air pollution cause alveolar damage in the lungs. As a result, it is unable to properly transport gaseous oxygen into the circulation of blood. Therefore, the patients feel uncomfortable and short of breath.

Allergies

Some people's immune systems respond poorly to certain chemicals, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander. When allergic persons are exposed to certain allergens, they have difficulties with breathing.

Viral Infection

Viral infection is a major cause of respiratory disorders. Some viruses, including influenza, respiratory adenoviruses, and respiratory syncytial viruses, enter the alveoli and cause inflammation.

Bacterial Infection

Otitis, sinusitis, and pneumonia are among respiratory disorders that can be caused by bacteria.

Some additional respiratory disease causes are as follows –

• Inflammatory or autoimmune diseases
• Chest trauma and consequent bleeding
• Tuberculosis
• Abdominal and chest infection

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Respiratory Diseases

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The following are the major respiratory disorders or diseases:

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the bronchi and bronchioles in the lungs. It causes difficulty breathing and is followed by an intense cough, restlessness, cough, and a wheezing sound when breathing.

The following are the factors that cause Asthma

• Respiratory infections
• Cold air
• Air pollutants
• Airborne allergens
• Physical activity

Symptoms of Asthma

• Shortness in breathing
• Chest becoming tight or getting pain in the chest
• Wheezing when exhaling and inhaling
• Trouble in sleeping due to shortness of breath
• coughing or wheezing

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is a term used to represent a variety of respiratory disorders that cause difficulty of breath and affect normal exhalation.

• It is a serious condition with symptoms such as coughing up sputum (lung mucus) and shortness of breath.
• COPD can be difficult to diagnose since it can develop for a long period without any visible symptoms, or the symptoms can be mistaken for the natural process of aging.
• Cigarette smoking is one of the primary causes of COPD.

Bronchitis

This is a disorder in which people who are suffering from the disorder will face inflammation of the lining of their bronchial tubes.

• Bronchial tubes are the passages or tubes that carry air to the lungs and release it from the lungs.
• People who are suffering from this disorder will face coughs and thick mucus.
• Cold, respiratory infections are common in bronchitis.
• It becomes more severe due to constant and over-inflammation of bronchial tubes.
• This is mainly due to smoking. It causes severe and long-lasting effects. It is also called a chest cold.

Symptoms of Bronchitis

Cough, producing mucus that can be clear, white, yellowish-gray, or green may be streaked with blood, fatigue, shortness of breathing, slight fever, and discomfort in the chest are some symptoms.

Emphysema

Emphysema is a chronic disease that causes a decrease in the respiratory surface as a result of lung alveolar walls.

• It is mostly caused by cigarette smoking.
• The primary symptoms of emphysema are shortness of breath and cough.
• Emphysema can lead the lungs to lose flexibility.

The following are the factors that cause Emphysema

• Air pollution
• Dust
• Smoking tobacco
• Chemicals
• Exposure to passive cigarette smoking

Tuberculosis

Tuberculosis is shortly called TB. It is a very serious infection caused to the lungs.

• The bacteria that cause tuberculosis infection will spread to other persons.
• it is a communicable disease. Whenever the droplets of cough sneeze enter into the air this infection will spread to another person.
• This is the most dangerous disease which may even lead to death in some cases.
• There are two types of TB they are: Latent TB and active TB.
• Tuberculosis may affect our kidneys, brain, and spine.

Symptoms of Tuberculosis

The following are the symptoms of Tuberculosis

• Loss of appetite
• Coughing up blood or mucus
• Chest pain or pain with breathing or coughing,
• Unintentional weight loss
• Coughing for three or more weeks,
• Fatigue
• Fever
• Night sweats

Cystic Fibrosis

It is a type of respiratory disorder that is caused due to inheritance mostly. It is a severe condition of the lungs and digestive system.

• It affects the cells which produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices.
• In normal conditions, these liquids are thin and soft.
• But to the people who are suffering from cystic fibrosis, these liquids are thick and sticky in nature.
• These stop and block the tubes and ducts which are used as a passage.

Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

The following are the symptoms of Symptoms of Cystic Fibrosis

• Repeated lung infections
• A persistent cough that produces thick mucus (sputum)
• Recurrent sinusitis
• Wheezing
• Exercise intolerance
• Inflamed nasal passages or a stuffy nose

Pulmonary Hypertension

It is a type of disorder in which it causes high blood pressure. It affects the arteries present in the lungs. It also affects the right side of the heart.

• In this situation, blood vessels present in the lungs will get narrower and get blocked.
• Due to this, the blood vessels will get destroyed. This reduces the speed of blood flow in the vessels.
• This increases blood pressure in the arteries present in the lungs.
• This creates more pressure on the heart to pump the blood.

Symptoms of Pulmonary Hypertension

Fatigue, chest pressure, or pain, Dizziness or fainting spells which are called syncope, Fast pulse or pounding heartbeat which is called palpitations, dizziness or fainting spells which are called syncope, swelling in the ankles, legs, and eventually, the abdomen, bluish color to the lips and skin are some symptoms.

Lung Cancer

Nowadays cancer is growing very fast. It is the most common heart disease in the last two decades. Doctors and scientists are fighting to solve and cure cancer.

• Lung cancer is a type of cancer. It damages the lungs. We are seeing lung cancer worldwide.
• People who smoke and people who are habituated to smoking gas and smell get lung cancer.
• Reducing cigarettes is the best solution to reduce the effects of lung cancer.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Chest pain, A new cough, bone pains, headache, shortness of breathing, weight loss, and hoarseness are some symptoms.

Mesothelioma

It is a type of respiratory disorder. It is also a type of cancer that occurs in the thin layered tissues which cover internal organs. It is a severe form of cancer.

• Curing this disease is not possible. Prevention is the only measure.
• Treatment for mesothelioma is there but most people are not cured.

Symptoms of Mesothelioma

Chest pain, shortness of breath, weight loss, pain while coughing, abdominal swelling, nausea, and abdominal pain are some symptoms.

Pneumonia

It is a type of infection. It causes inflammation of the air sacs in the lungs. Air sacs will be filled with fluid material or pus.

• It causes a cough with pus. It also causes fever, chills, breathing problems, and respiratory issues.
• Due to fungi, bacteria, and viruses, we get pneumonia. It may be of mild range to life-threatening range.
• It is mostly seen in the old people who are in the age more than 65.

Symptoms of Pneumonia

Fatigue, chest pain, cough, fever, nausea, confusion in old people, sweating, vomiting, and shortness of breath are some symptoms.

Pleurisy

The pleura is a large thin layer of tissues on the lungs. It separates the lungs and the chest wall.

• Whenever this layer is inflaming then this situation is called pleurisy.
• It causes chest pain during breathing. In this situation, two pleura layers of two lungs rupture each other during inhalation and exhalation creating chest pain while breathing.

Symptoms of Pleurisy

Chest pain, cough, fever, shortness of breath are some symptoms.

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Things to Remember

• Respiratory system disorders are lung and airway diseases that affect respiration.
• The respiratory system is the main part of our body functioning and it is also called a major part of our body.
• A disorder is described as a condition in which the body functions irregularly.
• The respiratory system comprises mostly the upper respiratory tract, alveoli, bronchi, bronchioles, trachea, pleura, and pleural cavity.
• Several factors affect respiratory disorders such as Smoking, Pollution, Genetics, etc.
• Common symptoms for all the disorders are shortness of breath and cough.

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