Respiratory disorder

Carbon dioxide is a respiratory gas and in aqueous solution is essentially an acid. Disorders of respiration therefore have serious acid-base consequences. When aeration of the blood in the pulmonary capillaries is impaired, accumulation of carbon dioxide leads directly to an acidification of the extracellular fluid this is called lespiratory acidosis. Conversely in circumstances when aeration of the blood in the pulmonary capillaries is excessive, carbon dioxide is washed out of the body, leading to the condition of respiratory alkalosis. 

On completion of the following case study, you will be able to  

Clinical Physiology and Pharmacology Farideh Javid and Janice McCurrie 

Q1 Is Mrs Smythe s problem likely to be a cold or can you suggest an alternative diagnosis  

Q3 To which category of drugs does fexofenadine belong  

Q5 Which other stimuli can release histamine in the body  

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Guacetisal [55482-89-8] (5), the acetyls alicyhc acid ester of guaiacol, has been shown to retain both antiinflammatory and expectorant activity (10). It is used in Italy for symptomatic reflef of painful respiratory disorders. 

Arylimino-2,3,6,7-tetrahydro- (00MIP19) and 2-aryloxy-6,7-dihydro-4//-pyrimido[6,1-a]isoquinolin-4-ones (00MIP20) were patented as PDE inhibitors and as useful agents for treatment of respiratory disorders, respectively. 

Dusts and fumes have been a part of industrial life for many years and the hazards associated with them are well known. The diseases and respiratory disorders found in foundries, potteries and cotton works are examples that are familiar to many. These need not occur with a better understanding of control measures and more efficient equipment. 

The antipsychotic dru are used cautiously in patients exposed to extreme heat or phosphorous insecticides and in those with respiratory disorders, glaucoma, prostatic hypertrophy, epilepsy, decreased renal function, lactation, or peptic ulcer. The antipsychotic drags are used cautiously in elderly and debilitated patients because these patients are more sensitive to the antipsychotic dragp. lithium is used cautiously in patients who are in situations in which they may sweat profusely and those who are suicidal, have diarrhea, or who have an infection or fever. 

W ithin the past few years a number of new drugs have been introduced to treat respiratory disorders, such as bronchial asthma and disorders that produce chronic airway obstruction. This chapter discusses the bronchodilators, dragp that have been around for a long time but are still effective in specific instances, and the newer antiasthma drugs that have proven to be highly effective in the prophylaxis (prevention) of breathing difficulty. 

A broncho dilator is a drug used to relieve bron-chospasm associated with respiratory disorders, such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema These conditions are progressive disorders characterized by a decrease in die inspiratory and expiratory capacity of die lung. Collectively, tiiey are often referred to as COPD. The patient with COPD experiences dyspnea (difficulty breatiiing) with physical exertion, has difficulty inhaling and exhaling, and may exhibit a chronic cough. 

Adults at high risk for certain diseases (eg, pneumocoacal and influenza vaccines for individuals with serious respiratory disorders)... 

Asthma is a complex respiratory disorder that involves mast cell degranulation, mucous secretions, and smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperresponsiveness. Smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness has suggested some defect in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility. Therefore, a number of studies concerning asthma have centered on whether alterations in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction (Figure 4) are responsible for hyperactivity in asthmatic airway smooth muscle. 

Respiratory Effects. One study suggested increased respiratory disorders (asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia) in children with chronic exposure to a solvent-contaminated water supply (Byers et al. 1988). Two municipal wells in eastern Woburn, Massachusetts, were found to contain several solvents including trichloroethylene (267 ppb) and tetrachloroethylene (21 ppb). The increased susceptibility to infection may be secondary to effects on the immune system. Accurate chemical-specific exposure levels for individuals could not be determined because the water distribution system was designed to use water from different wells at different rates and times. Other limitations of this study are described in Section 2.2.2.8. 

Some members of a community that were exposed to trichloroethylene along with a variety of other solvents in their drinking water complained of respiratory disorders, but the complaints could not be attributed specifically to trichloroethylene (Byers et al. 1988). This effect may have been due to immune system impairment resulting in increased susceptibility to infection. A study in mice in which inhalation exposure to trichloroethylene increased the susceptibility to pulmonary infection with Streptococcus zooepidemicus (Aranyi et al. 1986) provides evidence that trichloroethylene may result in adverse respiratory effects through effects on the immune system. 

There is no conclusive evidence that moderate, long-term use of cannabis causes lasting damage to physical or mental health. However, it is probable that frequent inhalation of cannabis smoke over a period of years will contribute towards bronchitis and other respiratory disorders and possible cancers of the lung and parts of the digestive system. Risks are greater if cannabis is smoked with tobacco. 

History of exacerbations or previous hospitalizations for respiratory disorders... 

Respiratory disorders and sleep apnea occur in up to 60% of patients. 

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