Elder Care and Lung Disease
Lung diseases rank among the most common ailments in the world. In fact, there are tens of millions of cases in America alone. It is the number three cause of death in the United States. Lung disease is not one single problem, but an umbrella for a large number of specific diseases that attack the lungs.
The body needs oxygen to survive. When we breathe, the lungs fill with air and oxygen is transferred to the cells and taken to the body by the blood. When we breathe out, the body expels carbon dioxide and other gasses. On average, we complete this process around 25,000 times in a single day. When a person has lung disease the lungs cannot fill with air properly or the oxygen transfer is impeded. A few of the types of lung disease include COPD, chronic bronchitis, pneumonia, tuberculosis, emphysema, lung cancer, asthma.
The main causes of lung disease include smoking, cancer, and inhaled
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Since seniors often have immune systems that are not as strong as they were in younger years, it is important to take precautions to avoid sickness. Preventing sickness by washing hands, getting a flu shot each year, seeing the dentist to prevent oral infections, and receiving a pneumonia vaccine are all ways to lessen the chances of developing lung disease.
Eating a diet high in vitamins A C, and D along with plenty of zinc and magnesium can help keep the body strong. Aerobic exercise helps the body use oxygen efficiently. Put together, a healthy diet and regular exercise can significantly reduce the risks of lung disease.
In addition to taking precautions, it is important to have regular medical checkups, especially if there are risk factors that lead to an increased chance of lung disease. Often the doctor will be able to notice problems with the lungs during routine checkups that can prevent problems from turning into something more
* Pneumonia: Pneumonia is the fifth highest killer of older adults, especially during the winter months of flu season. At high risk are seniors with chronic disease such as diabetes heart disease and reparatory conditions. The flu and pneumonia shot are recommended for all adults over the age 55 to help prevent this killer.
This article explains and answer the question of how to keep your lungs healthy and exercise to keep breathing without difficulty and free of lung disease. This means to get regular checkups of your breathing by seeking a physician to listen to your lungs for wheezing. Most lung disease can be prevented with education and less exposure to pollutants in the air. The American Lung Association may aid anyone to stop smoking because overtime cigarette smoking destroys lung tissue and may cause changes that could grow into cancer.
The immune system weakens with age, which makes seniors more susceptible to contracting seasonal influenza. Over ninety percent of deaths from the flu happen to those over 65 years of age. Seniors have the option of getting the regular flu vaccine or a higher-dose shot that results in a stronger immune response.
COPD is the fourth most common cause of death in the United States and rising quickly. It is expected by the year 2020 that it will be number three. Here is a chart breaking
Cystic fibrosis effects oxygen intake. In the respiration process, you take in air from your mouth and nose which passes into the lungs, then through the bronchi and the bronchioles. Once there, oxygen enters the body through alveoli, which are small air sacs. Your lungs and nose are lined with cells that are responsible for secreting mucus, which is responsible for collecting germs and dust particles. Your body removes these substances by coughing, swallowing and sneezing which keeps these passages clear of debris. With cystic fibrosis, the mucus in your body is much thicker, making it more difficult to expel from the body. Rather than being expelled, this mucus remains trapped in the lungs allowing the germs to stick to the walls of the lungs and coating the bronchioles. The body tries to kill the germs causing inflammation in the lungs. Between the inflammation and the infections caused by the bacteria, the lungs develop scar tissue which damage the lungs even further. This cycle of damage further reduces the body’s ability to clear the lungs, which leads to increased lung damage and then eventually
Approximately 12 million people in the United States have been diagnosed with COPD. BOOK. There may be more individuals affected and not be aware of it. According to the World Health Organization and the National Heart and Lung Institute, COPD was the fourth leading cause of death in the United States in 2012. FAM PRAC Its prevalence increases with age. And generally occurs between the ages of 35 and 70 years old [27]. TURK
Almost 1 in 3 participants (38%) had a decline in lung function of more than double that of the healthy population (-40 ml per year or more). Another third (31%) had a decline by that of the healthy population or up to double (-21 to -40 ml per year). The last third (31%) had a loss in function less than the healthy population up to an increase in lung function (from -20 to more than +20 ml per year). The study also found that a history of smoking did not lead to a greater decline in lung function. But, current smoking was strongly associated with decline in lung function.
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There is no definite way of preventing lung cancer, only reducing the risks of getting cancer. There are some pre-cautions that a person can take to avoid lung cancer. Avoid smoking cigarettes, tobacco, and cigars; substances such as these contain unlimited amount of harmful chemicals that can cause cancer. According to Centers of Disease Control (CDC), up to 90% of lung cancer is caused from smoking in the United States. Secondhand smoking can be just as injurious to the lungs around 15-25% of lung cancer cases are from secondhand smokers. Houses can be test for radon, it’s a radioactive gas that is tasteless and odorless. Radon can be inhaled and give off radiation that may damage DNA in cells, also it is a small percentage of causes of lung cancer. “Prevention” (2015) suggests to refrain of
1. Lung disease is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. Technically any disease or disorder in which lung function is impaired is considered a lung disease. Some common respiratory diseases are Bronchitis, asthma, allergies, and hay fever. First, bronchitis is is an inflammation of the lining of the bronchial tubes, and less air is able to flow into the lungs, and mucus begins to form. This disease is usually come the environment, such as inhaling certain chemicals, cigarette smoke, fumes from hairspray. Prescription drugs can reduce inflammation, prevent music buildup, and stop bacterial infections. Next is asthma. It is a long-term, chronic inflammatory disorder that blocks airflow into and out of the lungs. Symptoms include
Respiratory disease is a term which encompasses a wide range of diseases that effect the lungs. Examples of respiratory diseases include, but are not limited to: asthma, tuberculosis and lung cancer (US National Library of Medicine, 2016). Lung diseases are classified as either obstructive or restrictive.
Some other test your doctor might have you take would be imaging tests which is an X-ray image of your lungs may reveal an abnormal mass. Another test would be sputum cytology this is if you have a cough. Another test would be a tissue sample or biopsy.
Despite the multiple layers of protection the human body has against infection, bacteria and viruses still have the potential to breach the hosts defense system causing a cascade of issues. In addition, the aged adult can experience some changes to the immune system, creating more risk factors for infection. In this paper I will be discussing respiratory infections related to the aged population. Specifically, a literature review will be conducted to explore normal values, assessment strategies, diagnostics, altered findings. Additionally, this information will be applied to nursing practice to discuss its implications and challenges.
Due to the inability of the lungs to exchange gases and air, those suffering from emphysema experience a chronic cough, difficulty breathing, and an increased risk of lung infections.
Mrs. L stated that she has had her current pneumonia and shingles immunizations. She has also had her flu shot for the year. For the prevention of pneumonia and influenza, it is recommended that older persons receive an influenza vaccination yearly and a pneumococcal immunization every 10 years (Tabloski, 2006, p. 508).