CK12 Life Science

Lesson Summary

• Respiratory diseases are diseases that affect the lungs, bronchial tubes, trachea, nose,
  and throat. Respiratory diseases can reduce the amount of oxygen that gets into the
  blood. Asthma is an illness in which the bronchioles are inflamed and become narrow.
  The muscles around the bronchioles contract which narrows the airways further.


• Difficultyinbreathinghappensbecauseoftheinflammation,contractionofthemuscles,
  and the production of mucus by the cells that line the bronchioles. Diseases of the
  respiratory system that are caused by exposure to tobacco smoke include emphysema,
  lung cancer and cancers of the larynx and mouth.


• Cigarette smoking causes 87 percent of lung cancer deaths. Smoking and using tobacco
  is also linked to the risk of developing other types of cancer. Avoiding smoking, getting
  enough exercise, and washing your hands often are three things you can do to help
  protect your respiratory system from illness.

Further Reading / Supplemental Links

• http://www.cdc.gov/vaccines/vpd-vac/pertussis/default.htm


• http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/fact_sheets/youthdata/youth
  tobacco.htm


• http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/children.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/nceh/globalhealth/
  projects/airpollution.htm;http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/children.htm


• http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/328/7455/1519http://www.cdc.gov/
  mmwr/preview/mmwrhtml/mm5644a2.htm;http://www.bmj.com/cgi/content/abstract/
  328/7455/1519


• http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htmhttp://www.cdc.gov/germstopper/
  home_work_school.htm;http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/keyfacts.htm


• http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cancerhttp://en.wikipedia.
  org/wiki/Cigarette_smoking;http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/
  Tobacco/cancer


• http://www.cancer.gov/cancertopics/factsheet/Tobacco/cancer


• http://www.cdc.gov/tobacco/data_statistics/sgr/sgr_2004/sgranimation/html/
  welcome.html


• http://www.cdc.gov/flu/protect/covercough.htm

Review Questions

1. Identify the organs that are affected by a respiratory disease.


2. How might a respiratory disease affect the rest of the body?


3. How does asthma affects the bronchioles?


4. Medicines called bronchodilators are used to treat the symptoms of asthma. What