Disorders Of The Respiratory System: Symptoms And Function

What are Respiratory Disorders?

Respiratory system disorders are various diseases wherein the airways, lungs, and associated structures are affected, making breathing difficult. The disorders can be a result of acute infections or chronic conditions that result in respiratory impairment. The formation and degree of many of these disorders are environmentally induced, related to lifestyle and choices for work.

Factors affecting respiratory system disorders

Factors that can lead to the first development or further deterioration of respiratory disorders include:

Genetic Factors

Some respiratory conditions are completely genetic and one is born with them due to family history.

Allergies

Allergic reactions can trigger or aggravate respiratory issues.

Smoking

Tobacco smoking is a significant risk to many lung diseases.

Air Pollution

Exposure to air pollutants can result in respiratory problems.

Infections

Bacterial and viral infections can trigger or aggravate respiratory conditions.

Types of Respiratory System Disorders

There are two primary categorizations of respiratory disorders: upper and lower respiratory disorders.

Upper Respiratory Disorders

These diseases affect the nose, throat, and sinus and are often either viral or bacterial. These are some of the common ailments:

• Common Cold: These are considered a viral infection which are marked with a blockage of the nose and a runny nose, at times, with a sore throat.

• Sinusitis: This is infection of the sinuses resulting from infections or even from allergies. This ailment is marked by face pain and blockage.

• Pharyngitis: Inflammation of the throat leading to discomfort, dysphagia, and sometimes raised temperature.

Lower Respiratory Disorders

These disorders only affect the lungs and bronchial tubes and they include chronic conditions and infections:

• Asthma: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airways causing wheezing, shortness of breath, and coughing. It is usually triggered by allergens or irritants.

• COPD: It is a progressive lung disease including chronic bronchitis and emphysema with airway obstruction and difficulty in breathing.

• Pneumonia: It is an infectious disease of the lungs, caused by a contagious infection characterized by fever, productive cough, and difficulty breathing.

Causes of Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders can be caused due to a variety of issues, such as:

• Infections: It is caused due to bacterial and viral infections.

• Allergies: Allergens can act as causative agents and can trigger respiratory symptoms.

• Smoking: Tobacco smoke is a major risk factor for several respiratory diseases.

• Environmental Factors: Respiratory difficulties may result from air pollution and occupation-related exposure.

• Occupational hazards: Exposure to asbestos and silica can damage lung tissue, leading to chronic respiratory diseases like asbestosis, silicosis and cancer

Overview of Common Respiratory Disorders

Following are some of the more common respiratory disorders:

• Asthma: It is a respiratory disorder marked by wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and cough, which typically occurs in response to allergens or physical exertion.

• COPD: It is a serious disorder characterized by chronic difficulty in breathing. It is usually caused through long-term exposure to irritating gases or particulate matter.

• Pneumonia: It is usually treated with antibiotics in cases caused by bacteria. In cases of viral pneumonia, supportive care is often adequate.

• Chronic bronchitis: A type of COPD associated with the chronic production of cough and mucus, usually not reversible but amenable to treatment.

• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses causing facial pain and congestion, different from a cold in its symptoms and duration.

Prevention of Respiratory Disorders

Respiratory disorders can be prevented by:

• Avoiding smoking prevents damage to lung tissue and reduces the risk of chronic respiratory diseases.

• Reducing contact with polluted air helps protect the lungs from irritants that can trigger inflammation.

• Maintaining a healthy immune system enhances the body’s ability to fight infections.

• Getting recommended vaccines lowers the risk of respiratory infections that can lead to serious complications.

• Wearing masks in dusty or polluted settings filters harmful particles and safeguards the respiratory system.

Disorders of Respiratory System NEET MCQs (With Answers & Explanations)

Important topics for NEET are:

• Diseases of the respiratory system

• Causes and prevention of the diseases

Practice Questions for NEET

Q1. Which of the following statements accurately describes the role of peripheral chemoreceptors in respiration regulation?

1. Peripheral chemoreceptors are primarily sensitive to changes in oxygen levels.

2. Peripheral chemoreceptors are located in the medulla oblongata.

3. Peripheral chemoreceptors are not involved in the regulation of respiration.

4. Peripheral chemoreceptors respond to changes in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels.

Correct answer: 4) Peripheral chemoreceptors respond to changes in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels.

Explanation:

Peripheral chemoreceptors are specialized sensory receptors located in the carotid bodies and aortic bodies. These chemoreceptors are primarily sensitive to changes in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels in the blood. When there is an increase in CO2 or a decrease in O2, the peripheral chemoreceptors are activated and send signals to the respiratory centres in the brain, primarily the medulla oblongata, to increase the rate and depth of breathing. This helps to restore proper blood gas levels by increasing the removal of CO2 and increasing the intake of O2.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Peripheral chemoreceptors respond to changes in carbon dioxide and oxygen levels.

Q2. Which of the following statements accurately describes the effect of pH on the regulation of respiration?

1. An increase in pH leads to an increased respiration rate.

2. A decrease in pH leads to decreased respiration rate.

3. pH does not have any effect on the regulation of respiration.

4. Changes in pH primarily affect the depth of respiration.

Correct answer: 4) Changes in pH primarily affect the depth of respiration.

Explanation:

pH is important for regulating respiration. Blood pH reflects its acidity or alkalinity. Increased CO2 in the blood forms Carbonic acid through a reaction with water releasing hydrogen ions (H+) and bicarbonate ions (HCO3-) with the help of carbonic anhydrase enzyme. The concentration of hydrogen ions (H+) affects blood pH. More hydrogen ions (H+) lower pH, causing acidosis, while fewer hydrogen ions (H+) raise pH, causing alkalosis. pH changes impact respiration depth. In acidosis, respiration increases to remove excess CO2 reducing hydrogen ion concentration and restoring pH balance. In alkalosis, respiration decreases to retain CO2, increasing hydrogen ions and restoring pH balance.

Hence, the correct answer is option 4) Changes in pH primarily affect the depth of respiration.

Q3. The carbon dioxide that enters the RBCs forms a reversible compound with an amino group NH2 of the globin part of hemoglobin. This compound is called

1. Carbaminohemoglobin

2. Oxyhaemoglobin

3. Carboxyhaemoglobin

4. Carbaminohemoglobin

Correct answer: 1) Carbaminohemoglobin

Explannation:

The carbon dioxide that enters the RBCs forms a reversible compound with an amino group NH2 of the globin part of hemoglobin. The compound so formed is called carbaminohemoglobin.

Hence, the correct answer is option 1) Carbaminohemoglobin.

Also Read:

• MCQs on Regulation of Respiration

• Thoracic Cavity

• Lung Capacity and Lung Volumes