Aging Lung Research Paper

To better understand the impact of asthma, a brief overview of the causes (aetiology) and disease progression (pathophysiology) must be shown. As common as asthma is, not much is known about its aetiology, according to findings presented by Subbaroa, Mandhane and Sears (2009, pg. 181-187) in a review from the Canadian

According to Ilmarinen, Tuomisto, Kankaaranta (2015), the age of onset is critical related to separating the "phenotypes" of asthma (p. 1). Obesity, smoking, and other lifestyle factors (alcohol consumption) play a role in the development of adult-onset asthma (Ilmarinen et al., 2015, p. 1). Additionally, this type can be associated with quick escalation of therapy via the step-wise approach (Ilmarinen et al., 2015). J.D. had many of the predisposing factors that placed him at risk for increased severity unless changes were made in his

During the process, inflammatory cells are activated. These cells include neutrophils, CD*, T-lymphocytes, macrophages and B-cells. The cells described, releases chemicals and mediators that makes changes to inflammatory cells. The inflammation causes tissue damage and structural changes are noted in the lungs, which limits amount of airflow. The inflammation leads to COPD.

Despite the fact that as we age our bodies undergo structural changes there are also respiratory conditions that effect our older population. Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease represents a group of

The respiratory system changes in many ways as one ages. These gradual changes begin at age twenty to thirty (Miller, 2015, p. 443) and function starts to weaken at age forty (El-Kader, and El-Den Ashmawy, 2013, p. 15). Changes occur in the upper respiratory structures, chest wall and musculoskeletal structures, and lung structures and function. The upper respiratory structures in the nose become less supportive, due to less connective tissue, and smaller, because of decreased blood flow (Miller, 2015, p. 443). Also, degenerative changes in the submucosal glands of the nasopharynx produce thicker mucus (Miller, 2015, p. 443). Cough and gag reflex are decreased (Miller, 2015, p. 443). Because of chest wall and musculoskeletal changes, elderly spend more energy on breathing. This occurs as a consequence of chest wall stiffness, weakened muscles, and changes in the shape of the chest (Miller, 2015, p. 444). The lungs become less elastic and smaller, the alveoli enlarge and thin out, the pulmonary artery becomes stiffer, wider, and thicker, the pulmonary capillaries decrease and have less blood flow, and the mucosal bed thickens (Miller, 2015, p. 445). Elastic recoil diminishes and can cause air trapping and less gas exchange (Miller, 2015, p. 445). Due to changes, elderly do not always respond in a compensatory manner and can have mental changes instead (Miller, 2015, p. 445).

1. INTRODUCTION. Asthma is one of the most common diseases of childhood, affecting more than million children’s. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that can cause repeated episodes of cough, wheezing and breathing difficulty.(1) During an acute asthma episode, the airway lining in the lungs becomes inflamed and swollen.

Asthma is one of the most common diseases, it affects nearly 300 million people worldwide, and 25 million here in the US 4. “Worldwide, the number is expected to increase to 400 million by 2025” 4. Asthmas primary symptom is airflow obstruction, which results from narrowing of the airways in the lungs. Some common causes of asthma include smooth muscle contraction, inflammation, excessive mucus production, and foreign body or allergens.

The hygiene hypothesis is often described in conjunction with one’s likelihood of developing asthma during their childhood. When the immune system is stimulated, it causes a number of immune cells (T cells, B cells, macrophages, eosinophils, and killer cells) to proliferate. Some of these cells attack infectious agents directly while others produce substances like antibodies and cytokines that help prevent infection. The hygiene hypothesis assumes that a decreased exposure to normal bacteria in the body as well as disease-causing agents make a weaker immune system, which in turn produces a decreased ability to recognize and respond to

In regards to chronic bronchitis and emphysema, the pathophysiological changes are the “chronic inflammation and small airways, resulting in reduced airflow and gradual destruction of the alveoli.” In patients with chronic bronchitis,

Asthma, a chronic respiratory disease, affects countless people around the globe each and every year (WHO, 2014, para. 1-2). Although this respiratory disease can affect people of all ages, it is most prominent during the childhood years (Adams et al, 2014, p.587). Specifically, as defined by the text, Pharmacology for Nurses: A Pathophysiologic Approach asthma is defined as, “a chronic pulmonary disease with inflammatory and bronchospasm components” (Adams et al, 2014, p. 586). This inflammation and tightening of the airways makes it very difficult for a person with asthma to fill their lungs with air and thus they have great difficulty when trying to breathe (WHO, 2014, para 1-2). Furthermore,

ATII cells have stem potential and can differentiate to alveolar type I cells (3). Senescence of ATII cells is implicated in the pathogenesis of IPF, a progressive fatal lung disorder with unknown etiology (5). A current disease paradigm is that lung fibrosis develops as a result of unremitting insults with genetic and aging-related risk factors. This

The consequence of these interactions is an adaptive immune response of antigen-specific lymphocytes to the antigen, as well as the development of immunological memory. Adaptive immune responses are generated by clonal selection of lymphocytes, and are distinct from innate responses. The immune response consequence is in result to the antigen

In this project I learned that asthma is caused by a condition of recurrent attacks known as dyspnea. During this condition the airways become inflamed and wheezing and chest tightening

Changes that can affect the gas exchange process in the older adult include alterations to major systems such as the respiratory, musculoskeletal and immune systems. Lung tissue changes; alveoli (tiny air sacs in the lungs) lose shape over time and becoming baggy, thus allowing air to get trapped in the lungs, and not allowing enough oxygen to the blood and carbon dioxide out, making it harder to breathe (Martin, 2014). The diaphragm weakens over time, which in turn makes it more difficult to get air in and out of the lungs. An older adult’s immune system changes with age as well. An aging adult may not recover from a respiratory infection or exposure to smoke or other irritants as easily as they used to. These alterations in the older adult can lead to many respiratory problems. Some examples of these issues will be discussed

It is a natural, complex and multi-factorial process. The geriatric studies reported hyposplenism in elderly persons. However, it is unclear whether the observed alterations in splenic function are physiologically (the process of age itself) or pathologically (a consequence of age-related diseases)?. This question is of great clinical concern. It is believed that hyposplenism predisposes to infections, autoimmune disorders and thrombosis(Pawelec et al. 2002, Effros, Cai and Linton 2003).