Lung Cancer

Debra Hulings

The leading cause of death in the United States among both sexes is lung cancer; it "is also among the most preventable cancers". (Mayo Clinic)

Smoking is the biggest cause of lung cancer, accounting for 85 to 90 percent of cases. "Other causes include exposure to radon, asbestos and secondhand smoke." (Mayo Clinic)

The type and stage of the tumor will determine the treatment for lung cancer. There are non-small cell cancers, from stage 0 to stage IV. With small cell cancers, there is a limited stage and an extensive stage.

Treatment for the former may include anything from a surgical removal, laser treatment, radiation and/or chemotherapy.

Treatments for the latter usually involve a combination of chemo and radiation to the chest and sometimes to the brain "to prevent the spread of cancer there". (Mayo Clinic) In the extensive stage, radiation is also given to areas (other than chest) that cause pain.

Reference:

http://www.mayoclinic.org/lung-cancer/patientstories.html

Aging and Illness

Kathleen Kelly

As we get older we are susceptible to more illnesses and infections. We don’t respond as intensely to vaccines and as Tortora and Derrickson (2007) say about vaccines, “…they tend to produce more autoantibodies (antibodies against their body’s own molecules).” As we age our immune system doesn’t function as effectively as it did when we were younger. An example of this is that T cells become less responsive to antigens and then fewer T cells respond to infections. (The reason for this is because of decreased production of thymic hormones or an age-related decrease of the thymus). When T cells decrease with age, B cells also become less responsive. Therefore, anti-body levels don’t increase as quickly as they once did in response to a challenge by an antigen, and thus we become more likely to get infections as we get older. One study on this topic said, “Although results vary, many studies confirm that natural killer T cell activity is preserved even among the oldest old. Indeed, some studies have suggested that a decline in natural killer cell activity predicts an increasing risk of serious illness. However, there are some age-related declines in T cell function that affect B cell function, specifically the ability of B cells to help T cells fight infection.”

References:

Tortora, G.J. & Derrickson, B. (2007). Introduction to the Human Body, the Essentials
of Anatomy and Physiology. New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.

InfoAging.org. Immune Response and Aging Information Center. Retrieved on June 15,
2009 from http://websites.afar.org/site/PageServer?pagename=IA_b_immune_8_tcell

Asthma

Caroline Leal

In the United States alone, an estimated twenty million people or more suffer from a type of asthma (Healthmad website, 2009). Asthma is a lung condition which affects a person’s bronchial (or “airway”) tubes, making the process of breathing difficult. According to Tortora and Derrickson (2007), asthma is “a disorder characterized by chronic airway inflammation, airway hypersensitivity to a variety of stimuli, and airway obstruction” (p. 467). When a person breathes normally, air is carried through the nose or mouth and into the trachea, (or “windpipe”), passing through the bronchial tubes, into the lungs, and back out again. In a person with asthma, however, these airways are inflamed, meaning that they swell and produce an overabundance of thick mucus. Because the airways are also highly sensitive, anything from dust mites, molds, and sulfating agents to cigarette smoke, cold air, and exercise can trigger an asthma attack. “Symptoms [of asthma] include difficult breathing, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, tachycardia, fatigue, moist skin, and anxiety” (Tortora, Derrickson, 2007, p. 467).

Fortunately, asthma is a condition that may be reversed, at least partially if not fully, with treatment. Theophylline, for example, is a daily pill that opens airway passages by relaxing muscles around the airway, and is just one of many long-term medications that are available to asthma sufferers. Other short-term medications may include allergy-desensitization shots (immunotherapy), which are usually given once a week for several months, and inhaled medications such as Beta-2 agonists and Ipratropium (Mayoclinic website, 2009). Although treatment varies from person to person, a combination of long-term and short-term medications taken with a handheld inhaler are generally an effective means of combating this widespread lung condition.

References

Asthma: Treatment and drugs. (2009). Retrieved June 16, 2009, from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/asthma/DS00021/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

How many people have asthma? (2009). Retrieved June 16, 2009, from http://www.healthmad.com/Conditions-and-Diseases/How-Many-People-Have-Asthma.453941

Tortora, G.J. & Derrickson, B. (2007) Introduction to the human body: The

essentials of anatomy and physiology (7th edition). New York, NY: John

Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease

LaToya Stevens

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a disease of the respiratory system which makes it difficult to breathe. According to Tortora & Derrickson, “the principal types of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease are emphysema and chronic bronchitis” (Tortora & Derrickson, 2007). The lungs use the alveoli which are the air sacs at the end of the branches in the lung that expand with inhalation and deflate with exhalation. COPD can occur when the alveoli lose their elasticity, the area between the air sac get inflamed, there can be an increase in mucus production.

Emphysema is when there is damage to the alveoli which lose their elasticity and destroys them. The alveoli once damaged cannot be repaired. When the alveoli are damaged the lungs are not able to exchange oxygen through the blood which causes shortness of breath. “As increasing numbers of alveolar wall are damaged, lung elastic recoil decreases due to loss of elastic fibers, and an increasing amount of air becomes trapped in the lungs at the end of exhalation” (Tortora & Derrickson, 2007).

Chronic Bronchitis is the excessive production of mucus with a cough. The mucus is a byproduct of airway irritants. The cilia are not able to move the mucus out of the airway. The excessive mucus that is produced by the irritants blocks the airways which make it difficult to breathe.
COPD is a progressive disease that is chronic in that there is no cure, because damage to the lungs cannot be reversed, and can be caused by any number of things from smoking, inhalation of second hand smoke to inhaled pollutants.

Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2007). Introduction to the Human Body: The essentials of anatomy and physiology (7th Edition ed.). (B. Roesch, K. Trost, & K. Tavares, Eds.) New York, New York, United States of America: John Wiley & Sons, inc.

Spleen and Tonsils

Emile Leal

Part of the Lymphatic system, the spleen and tonsils play an important role in maintaining immunity against disease and promoting homeostasis. The spleen is a secondary lymphatic organ, and according to Tortora and Derrickson, it is “…the largest single mass of lymphatic tissue in the body” (2007, p.425). Located between the stomach and diaphragm, the spleen contains both white and red pulp which consists of various substances, such as lymphocytes, red blood cells, and plasma cells. While the white pulp concentrates mainly on carrying out immune responses through B and T cells and destroying harmful substances with macrophages, the red pulp has three primary functions: 1). Removing dead or damaged platelets and blood cells, 2). Storing up to one-third of the body’s supply of platelets, and 3). Producing a fetus’s blood cells (Tortora & Derrickson, 2007). In addition, the spleen also helps to control the amount of blood in the body (nlm.nih.gov, 2009).

The tonsils are also part of the secondary lymphatic organ and tissue group, and they are composed of a mass of lymphatic tissue known as “lymphatic nodules.” According to Tortora and Derrickson, there are five tonsils “…which form a ring at the junction of the oral cavity” (2007, p.425). One tonsil, the pharyngeal tonsil, is located in the upper part of the throat, while others, such as the palatine and lingual tonsils, are situated in the back of the mouth and at the base of the tongue (Tortora & Derrickson, 2007). Working along with the spleen and other lymphatic organs, the tonsils “…are strategically positioned to participate in immune responses against inhaled or ingested foreign substances” (Tortora & Derrickson, 2007, p.425). By developing the spleen and tonsils, God provided mankind with two more amazing bodily defenses against disease and illness. Psalm 139:13-14 speaks of God’s skill in “…knitting together…” human beings, and defensive organs and tissue such as the spleen and tonsils are yet another tangible example of His love and care.

Resources


Hayford, J.W. [Executive editor] (2002) The new spirit filled life bible. Nashville,


Tennessee: Thomas Nelson, Inc.


Spleen diseases. (2009, May) Retrieved June 16, 2009 from


http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spleendiseases.html


Tortora, G.J. & Derrickson, B. (2007) Introduction to the human body: The

essentials of anatomy and physiology (7th edition). New York, NY: John

Wiley & Sons, Inc.

Pneumonia

Theresa Gardner

Pneumonia occurs when the lower respiratory tract gets inflamed as a result of an infection or an injury. When microbes enter the lungs, toxins are released which causes the alveoli to fill with fluid, damaging it, and preventing gas exchange. Typically, our immune system begins an attack on the invaders, but oftentimes our natural defense system is not as strong as it should be. Common causes are upper respiratory infections, alcoholism, cigarette smoking, malnutrition, liver, kidney, and heart diseases.

Symptoms of pneumonia include chills, fever, cough, chest pain, labored breathing, fatigue, anorexia, headache, leukocytosis, and bloody sputum.

In the United States, pneumonia is the most common cause of death in terms of contagious infections. It is estimated that four million cases of pneumonia occur every year.

There are four types of pneumonia, and treatment varies according to the type.

Bacterial pneumonia is treated with antibiotics. Viral is only treated with lots of rest and plenty of fluids. Mycoplasma pneumonia mirrors symptoms of a chest cold, so people oftentimes do not seek medical attention. The symptoms generally go away on their own, but this type of pneumonia is treated with antibiotics as well. Fungal pneumonia is caused by a fungus, so antifungal medication is the typical course of treatment. It is important to note that coughing actually helps clear the lungs, so taking an over-the-counter cough suppressant is not usually advised.

Any type of pneumonia untreated can result in hospitalization. I actually have a couple of friends who ended up in this condition. By then, IV antibiotics and oxygen are administered for a few days, and the recovery time at home is a little longer.

References:

Tortora, G. J., & Derrickson, B. (2007). Introduction to the Human Body (7th Edition). New York, NY. John Wiley & Sons, inc.

Galvan, C. & Argabright, D. & Johnston, M. (2003). Medicinal Plants of the Southwest. Retrieved June 17, 2009 from http://medplant.nmsu.edu/Diseases/pneumonia/pneumonia.htm

Mayo Clinic Staff (2009). Pneumonia. Retrieved 6-18-09 from http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/AboutThisSite/AM00057 and http://www.mayoclinic.com/health/pneumonia/DS00135/DSECTION=treatments-and-drugs

Tuberculosis

Elise Leal

Tuberculosis (TB) is a disease caused by the bacteria Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Torora & Derrickson, 2007, p. 467). Once the leading cause of death in the United States (CDC.gov, 2009), TB is highly contagious, and is spread when “a person with active TB disease of the lungs or throat coughs, sneezes, speaks, or sings” (CDC.gov, 2009). TB normally affects the respiratory system, particularly the lungs and the pleurae (Torora & Derrickson, 2007, p. 467), but it can also infect other body parts such as the kidneys and the brain.

There are two types of TB infection: latent TB infection (LTBI), and TB disease. LTBI occurs when the immune system is able to overcome TB bacteria, stopping them from growing and spreading. “TB bacteria can live in your body without making you sick….People with [LTBI] do not feel sick and do not have any symptoms. The only sign of TB infection is a positive reaction to the tuberculin skin test or special TB blood test. People with [LTBI] are not infectious…” (CDC.gov, 2009). LTBI patients are normally treated with the drug isoniazid for nine months to keep them from developing active TB (CDC.gov, 2009), and have a good chance of recovering. However, when the body is not able to overcome the bacteria, active TB disease occurs, and can cause serious illness or even death. “Fatigue, weight loss, lethargy, anorexia, a low-grade fever, night sweats, cough, dyspnea, chest pain, and spitting blood (hemoptysis)” (Torora & Derrickson, 2007, p. 467) are all symptoms of TB disease, although people with active TB may go years without showing these symptoms. People with TB disease are normally treated with several drugs for six to twelve months (CDC.gov, 2009), and if taking correctly and for enough time, may eventually recover.

References

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009, June). Tuberculosis (TB). Retrieved

June 19, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/tb/

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009, June). Basis TB facts. In Tuberculosis (TB). Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/basics/default.htm

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (2009, June). Treatment. In Tuberculosis (TB). Retrieved June 19, 2009 from http://www.cdc.gov/tb/topic/treatment/default.htm

Tortora, G. J. and Derrickson, B. (2007). Introduction to the human body: The essentials


of anatomy and physiology (7th ed.). New York: John Wiley & Sons, Inc.