Mucus

Lubricating and protective properties of mucus and its importance in the gastrointestinal tract Mucus is a thick secretion made up of water, electrolytes, and a mixture of several glycoproteins. The Glycoproteins are made up of large polysaccharides which are bound with much smaller quantities of protein. Mucus is slightly different in different parts of the gastrointestinal tract. It has numerous important characteristics applicable everywhere that make it both a superb lubricant and a protectant

. It is genetically passed down and it causes mucus to become to thick. It is a fake gene, or mutated gene, that can’t keep the respiratory airways clear. The thick mucus can build up in airways, and that is what is causing her to have shortness of breath and wheezing. It targets the respiratory system which causes problems with getting air, and it also targets the digestive system. 2. How would you classify this girl's acid-base status? Her pH level is low, so she is acidic(acidosis). Her pCO2 is

Mucus is found in a wide variety of organisms, where it is used to coat cell surfaces both internally and externally (Bansil and Turner, 2006). Mucus is a viscous colloid made up of a combination of water, antiseptic enzymes, proteins, inorganic salts, immunoglobulins and glycoproteins (Bansil and Turner, 2006). Mucus is made up of approximately 90% water, up to 5% mucin glycoproteins and other proteins and compounds. This mixture of components enables mucus to provide a protective barrier against

the cell in other ways like harming the cell that produces mucus, sweat and also digestive juices. The are normally thin and glossy so that makes it very slippery. In people with CF, a defective gene causes a thick, buildup of mucus in the lungs, pancreas and other organs. In the lungs, the mucus clogs the airways and traps bacteria leading to infections, extensive lung damage and eventually, respiratory failure. In the pancreas, the mucus prevents the release of digestive enzymes that allow the

Cystic fibrosis is a hereditary condition which “affects the cells that produce mucus, sweat, and digestive juices.” In cases of cystic fibrosis a defective gene causes these fluids to become thick instead of thin. These fluids lose their lubricating properties and can interrupt normal functions, especially in the lungs. The thick mucus can also cause digestive problems by blocking the essential digestive enzymes entering the small intestine from the pancreas (Mayo Clinic). It is inherited through

respiratory system are; nose and nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli, diaphragm and lungs. Nose and nasal cavity Main and first opening of the respiratory system. It is made up of three sections filled with hairs and mucus membranes Mouth Also known as the oral cavity. Another opening of the respiratory system and can also take air in and out Pharynx Also known as the throat. It is as opening surrounded by muscle that leads on to the larynx Larynx Also known as the

Cystic Fibrosis? 2. Cystic fibrosis affects many of the body’s systems this includes the lungs and digestion. If you have CF your mucus becomes thick and sticky. It builds up in your lungs and blocks your airways. The mucus blocks the air passages in the lungs and creates bacteria. Numerous infections and blockages can cause permanent lung damage and death. Sticky mucus can also block tubes or ducts in

chloride channel of the pulmonary epithelium and loss of its working renders the lung surface impermeable to chloride ions. This leads to a change in viscosity of the mucus produced from being thin and lubricating to being thick, sticky and frothy (Kumar et al p223). The complication is hence also called mucoviscidosis. The heavy mucus blocks the lung that makes the patient susceptible to a myriad of bacterial diseases. The pancreatic ducts when affected and clogged, the flow of pancreatic juice is

function of the lungs. A patient with COPD has less air flowing in and out of the airways. These individuals also use most of their energies in breathing since it is harder for them to get oxygen. The airways of individuals with COPD are clogged with mucus which decreases their ability to eliminate carbon dioxide and bring oxygen inside the body. Many studies have shown the importance of proper nutrition in the heath

Asthma is a chronic disease affecting the walls of your airways. These airways are made up of tubes that allow air to pass in and out of your lungs. Inflammation, as well as, increased production of mucus can cause narrowing and obstruction of these tubes, making it difficult to breathe. There are many factors that play a role in the development of asthma such as; exercise, occupation, stress, anxiety and allergens. Common symptoms patients may experience are; shortness of breath, wheezing, dyspnea

children. Asthma causes atomic alterations of the lungs includes smooth muscle constriction of bronchial airways (bronchospasm), excessive production of thick, whitish, tenacious bronchial secretions, hyperinflation of alveoli (air-trapping) and mucus plugging and, in severe cases, atelectasis. There are two kinds of asthma; intrinsic and extrinsic.

Most individuals believe that a stuff or blocked nose is caused by heavy mucus when you have a flu or cold, but this is not so. Nasal congestion usual causes much inconvenience mainly due to the difficulty to breathe through the nose because of swelling and inflammation of the inner lining, covering the airway passages from inside. A stuffy nose may be caused by an infection, extra dry air or an allergy. For most individuals, a stuffy nose is just an annoyance, but for others, a blocked nose

Contact with germs is a concern for people with cystic fibrosis. Sticky mucus build up in the lung allow these germs to thrive and multiple (About Cystic Fibrosis, 2013). Pseudomonas aeruginosa is a gram-negative bacteria very commonly carried around by healthy individuals without any symptoms. But for people who are ill and have weak immune systems, this bacteria can cause a deadly infection. Infection is hard to treat because Pseudomonas aeruginosa can resist many antibiotics. Pseudomonas aeruginosa

sweat, and mucus glands. It causes organs such as the lungs to not function properly, and could be life threatening. Cystic Fibrosis is a genetic disease, and affects around 70,000 people worldwide. Every year a thousand new cases are reported. Specifically what Cystic Fibrosis affects is the cell’s permeability to move salt and water in and out. Damage progresses in the respiratory system and chronically in the digestive system. This is due to the lungs and pancreas secreting thick mucus that blocks

salt content in sweat. Lungs – Mucus plugging, chronic bacterial infections, pronounced inflammatory response, damaged airways leading to respiratory insufficiency, progressive decline in pulmonary function. Male reproductive tract – males with CF are sterile due to degeneration

When you think about it, it is truly a wonder how our body inhales oxygen and exhales carbon dioxide. This is possible because of the respiratory system. This system in the body is what allows us to breathe and continue our lives. An average human breathes fifty million times in their lifetime! The structure affects the function of this intricate and wonderful system that keep us alive. It all starts from the nose. The basic parts of the respiratory system are the lungs, nose, trachea, diaphragm

inhaled cold air will reach that body temperature, humidifying our body through inhalation of oxygen, our epithelial cells remain moist and do not dry out (Silverthorn, 2013), and finally the mucus that is in our pharynx come upon many inhaled microorganisms and/or other pathogens. As Silverthorn (2013) states, mucus

digestive enzymes, and a treatment which breaks up the mucus in her lungs. Cystic Fibrosis has numerous life threatening symptoms and while there is no cure, there are several treatments that a typical patient undergoes each day to combat these symptoms. The most prominent symptom associated with Cystic Fibrosis is a thick mucus that clogs up tubes that carry out crucial roles in the human body. This mucus especially affects the respiratory tract. Mucus builds up in the respiratory tract making it difficult

the exterior of cells and affecting the thin layer of the mucus that normally keeps the lungs free of germs to become dense and tacky. This mucus is tough to cough out, and it chokes the lungs and airways, leading to infections and injured lungs. It is also known as mucuviscidosis because of the mucus that constructs up and blocks the respiratory system and pancreas. "A defective gene causes the body to produce an abnormally thick, sticky mucus that clogs the lungs and leads to life-threatening lung

Bronchiectasis is a chronic condition of the airways in which the lungs become ineffective at clearing out mucus. Oftentimes, the condition is brought on by another disease or infection that cause the airways to weaken, widen, or become flabby and scarred. The presence of mucus inside the airways can result in the production of infectious bacteria and a possibly fatal infection (Sutton 257). Currently, a single or double lung transplant is the only way to cure bronchiectasis (BE for short), but transplants