A respiratory disorder is a pathological condition that detrimentally affects the tissues and organs that make breathing or gas exchange possible. The disorders include the upper respiratory tract conditions and other subsequent complications of the trachea, bronchioles, bronchi, alveoli, nerves, muscles, and pleura. As such, this paper aims to discuss three main conditions and how they affect breathing in infants and the elderly. The conditions are Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome, emphysema in the elderly, and Pulmonary Fibrosis in the elderly.
Infant Respiratory Disorder Syndrome
Infant Respiratory Distress Syndrome also called hyaline membrane disease is a breathing disorder that mainly affects prematurely born babies. During fetus development, healthy babies produce a lubricating fluid called surfactant that coats the alveoli enabling breathing. However, in prematurely born babies with the disorder, the alveoli do not produce the surfactant, and as such, their lungs are unable to open completely to allow proper breathing. It is worth noting that babies born twenty-nine weeks prior to the full gestation period are at a 60 percent risk of developing the disorder.
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Emphysema in Old Age
Emphysema is a serious respiratory disorder that causes thinning and overexpansion of the lungs mainly brought about by age. As such, the disorder can also be referred to as aging lung. Owing to the loss of elasticity of the lungs, ventilation is significantly impeded leading to the progressive impairment of the lungs with air trapped within it. As such, breathing becomes more effortful, and subsequent shortness of breath follows even at rest. In addition, the elasticity of the lungs causes the ribs and the chest wall to expand and become overinflated. This phenomenon causes flattening of respiratory muscles as well as the diaphragm. Ultimately, breathing is significantly affected in terms of efficiency of the muscles (University of Michigan Health System, 2004, p1-2).
Pulmonary Fibrosis
Pulmonary Fibrosis Disorder is an inherent type of Interstitial Lung Disease which is a conglomeration of various conditions that cause scarring of the lung tissues. Owing to the scarring of the lungs, breathing is significantly affected and, as such, the efficiency of breathing mechanics is affected. Elaborately, the scarring of the lungs causes them to become stiff and subsequently less elastic. The loss of elasticity prevents the regular expansion of the lungs to full capacity ultimately reducing the oxygen breathed in by the individual (British Lung Foundation, 2016, p1-2). On average, the condition affects individuals in the average age of 63 years. Therefore, anybody above the age of 50 years is at a higher risk of acquiring the disease.
Conclusion
The respiratory disorders mentioned above are detrimental to the elderly and infants. As such, proper care should be given at the first sign of symptoms indicating the diseases. Ultimately, appropriate prevention and treatment strategies should be implemented in a bid to mitigate the effects of the disorders.
References
British Lung Foundation. (2016). Pulmonary fibrosis: What it is and how it Affects your Breathing. British Lung Foundation, p1-4. Web. Retrieved from: https://www.blf.org.uk/sites/default/files/1.%20Pulmonary%20Fibrosis%20-%20What%20it%20is%20and%20how%20it%20affects.pdf
University of Michigan Health System. (2004). Lung Volume Reduction Surgery. Regents of the University of Michigan, p1-6. Web. Retrieved from: http://surgery.med.umich.edu/thoracic/patient/what_we_do/Revised-LVRS-Booklet_UMHS.pdf
