What are respiratory disorders

Respiratory disorder, or respiratory disease, is a term that encompasses a variety of pathogenic conditions that affect respiration in living organisms. Respiration makes gas exchange possible in higher organisms. The gas exchange involves taking oxygen into the body and expelling carbon dioxide. Respiratory disease occurs in the respiratory tract, which includes the alveoli, bronchi, bronchioles, pleura, pleural cavity, trachea and the nerves and muscles of breathing.

There are three main types of respiratory disease: airway diseases, lung tissue diseases and lung circulation diseases. Airway diseases affect the tubes that carry oxygen and other gases into and out of the lungs. Airway diseases usually result in narrowing or blocking of the passageways. Lung tissue diseases affect the structure of lung tissue and result in scarring or inflammation of the lung tissue. This, in turn, makes breathing difficult. Lung circulation diseases occur when the blood vessels in the lungs become clotted, inflamed or scarred. These diseases affect the ability of the lungs to receive oxygen and produce carbon dioxide, and they may affect the functioning of the heart.

The common cold is an example of a mild respiratory disease. More serious or life-threatening respiratory disorders include bacterial pneumonia, lung cancer and pulmonary embolism. Other disorders include asthma, bronchiostasis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), influenza, obstructive sleep apnea syndrome, pulmonary hypertension and tuberculosis. Some lung diseases may result in respiratory failure.

Allergens, indoor air pollution, outdoor air pollution and tobacco smoking are common risk factors for respiratory disorder.

Respiratory disease affects millions, including 235 million people worldwide with asthma and 64 million with COPD.

Additional information about respiratory disorders may be found at these websites:

http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/ency/article/000066.htm

http://www.who.int/respiratory/en/

http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/impacts/respiratory/

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

http://medicalcenter.osu.edu/patientcare/healthcare_services/lung_diseases/about/pages/index.aspx

http://www.who.int/gard/publications/chronic_respiratory_diseases.pdf