The following points highlight the five major causes of diseases in respiratory system. The causes are: 1. Infection 2. Irritants 3. Allergy 4. Vascular Accidents 5. Malignant Disease.
Diseases in Respiratory System: Cause # 1. Infection:
Infection may be caused by a virus as in the case of influenza, and virus pneumonia, or by bacteria, as in bronchitis, bronchopneumonia, lobar pneumonia and tuberculosis.
Diseases in Respiratory System: Cause # 2. Irritants:
Exposure to tobacco smoke, industrial pollution or other inhaled irritants over many years leads to chronic bronchitis. When severe and prolonged and complicated by heart failure, this may lead to severe under-nutrition and a state of cachexia. This is probably due to anorexia caused by chronic hypoxemia.
Diseases in Respiratory System: Cause # 3. Allergy:
Allergy plays an important role in bronchial asthma. Besides inhaled dust or pollen, ingested foods such as eggs, milk, wheat, etc. can be responsible for asthma. The detection of a food allergen and its exclusion from the diet may be an important factor in the treatment of asthma.
Diseases in Respiratory System: Cause # 4. Vascular Accidents:
The vascular accident in the lung is embolism from a thrombosis formed usually in the veins of the lower limb or pelvis. If this dislodges, it travels through the right side of the heart and obstructs one of the pulmonary arteries. It occurs especially in elderly people confined to bed, e.g., after an operation.
Diseases in Respiratory System: Cause # 5. Malignant Disease:
Malignant disease of the bronchial tree and lungs has greatly increased in recent years. Tobacco smoke and pollution of the atmosphere with smoke and fumes are of great importance. There is little evidence that nutritional factors play any part in the causation of bronchial carcinoma.