18.1
常见呼吸系统疾病
呼吸系统疾病是全球普遍存在的健康问题，通常分为两大类：上呼吸道疾病和下呼吸道疾病。分类基于它们影响的呼吸系统区域。
上呼吸道疾病影响声带上方的气道，包括鼻子、鼻窦和喉咙等区域。普通感冒和过敏性鼻炎等疾病都属于这一类。这些疾病可能由多种原因引起，例如感染、过敏或接触刺激物。症状通常表现为鼻塞、打喷嚏、…
呼吸系统疾病 broadly 分为上呼吸道疾病和下呼吸道疾病。
上呼吸道疾病影响声带以上的气道，例如鼻腔、鼻窦和咽喉。相比之下，下呼吸道疾病则影响声带以下的气道，包括肺部。
由感染或过敏原引起的常见上呼吸道疾病，如普通感冒和过敏性鼻炎，可导致鼻塞、打喷嚏、咳嗽和流鼻涕。
咽炎、扁桃体炎和喉炎等炎症性疾病由细菌或病毒感染引起。
下呼吸道疾病包括哮喘、慢性支气管炎和肺炎等慢性及急性炎症。
哮喘等慢性疾病可导致长期呼吸问题、胸闷和喘息。
支气管炎会引起支气管的炎症，而肺炎则会使肺泡发炎并充满脓液。
其他呼吸系统疾病包括肺动脉高压、囊性纤维化和肺纤维化。
这些疾病的治疗包括药物、生活方式改变，有时还包括呼吸治疗或手术。
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Q1: What is the difference between upper and lower respiratory disorders?
Upper respiratory disorders affect airways above the vocal cords, including the nose, sinuses, and throat, causing nasal congestion and sneezing. Lower respiratory disorders impact airways below the vocal cords, primarily the lungs, and include conditions like asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia that cause wheezing and breathing difficulties.
Q2: What causes common upper respiratory disorders like the common cold and allergic rhinitis?
The common cold and allergic rhinitis result from infections or allergen exposure. These conditions trigger nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and runny nose symptoms. Inflammatory upper respiratory conditions such as pharyngitis, tonsillitis, and laryngitis stem from bacterial or viral infections affecting throat tissues.
Q3: How do asthma and chronic bronchitis differ in their effects on the respiratory system?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder causing airway hyperresponsiveness and reversible airflow obstruction, manifesting as wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness. Chronic bronchitis causes inflammation of the bronchial tubes, leading to persistent coughing and mucus production rather than reversible airflow obstruction.
Q4: What happens to the lungs during pneumonia?
Pneumonia inflames the alveoli and fills them with pus, commonly caused by bacteria, viruses, or fungi. This inflammation leads to fever and difficulty breathing. In bacterial pneumonia specifically, pus accumulates in the alveoli, severely impairing gas exchange and oxygen delivery.
Q5: What are other significant lower respiratory disorders besides asthma and pneumonia?
Other significant lower respiratory disorders include pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, pulmonary fibrosis, and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). These conditions can severely affect lung function and overall quality of life, requiring comprehensive management and treatment strategies to preserve respiratory health.
Q6: How are respiratory disorders treated?
Treatment varies depending on disorder nature and severity. Medications manage symptoms and prevent flare-ups, while lifestyle changes such as quitting smoking and improving indoor air quality support recovery. Respiratory therapy or surgery may be necessary for severe or complex cases to preserve lung health.
Q7: What symptoms indicate an upper respiratory infection?
Upper respiratory infections present with nasal congestion, sneezing, coughing, and runny nose. Inflammatory conditions like pharyngitis and tonsillitis cause throat soreness and difficulty swallowing. These symptoms may cause discomfort and impede daily activities, requiring appropriate diagnosis and management for recovery.