Alterations in the Cardiovascular and Respiratory Systems.
Cardiovascular and respiratory body systems are critical functional systems that the body cannot do without; thus, matters of the heart, lungs, and blood vessels should be managed appropriately. These systems have sensitive organs that make them up whole and able to function. Any alterations in these parts of the body systems will highly impact the body, thus making it function abnormally. Both the environment and our bodies contain pathogenic materials, which are opportunistic to any slight chance making vulnerable body system become slaves to their infections, causing alterations in the body. That is why, once the cardiopulmonary system and cardiovascular systems are altered, there normal functioning in the body is also altered, thus affecting an individual.
Causes of shortness of breath also known as dyspnea can be caused with various conditions affecting the cardiopulmonary system, caused by a range of effects, that affect the heart, blood vessels, breathing, and also the lungs. First, for a patient to present with shortness of breath, that means, the airflow ways have been obstructed, thus making difficulties for smooth air passage. Therefore, shortness of breath is a medical emergency that can also be caused through inhalation of other objects and particles such as food particles (Shiel, 2020). Shortness of breath means low oxygen intake into the body. Therefore, the body has to work progressively, such are breathing harder to fill the oxygen gap, thus damaging the lungs, and an individual can collapse.
Usually, coloured phlegm indicated a problem in the respiratory system. A healthy person produces little to no amounts of noticeable phlegm, just unless someone has a cold or other medical conditions. Thick green sputum might demonstrate conditions such as bronchitis, which indicates a progressive bacterial or viral infection (Marcin, 2017). Pneumonia also can be diagnosed in since it is a common respiratory disorder. Such causes incidences of chills, fever, high temperatures, and shortness of breath.
A Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease is a typical indication of breathing difficulties, often affecting the lungs at large. Divided into two groups, the condition can be chronic bronchitis involved with a cough that lasts longer, presenting with thick mucus (Criner et al., 2015). It can also be emphysema, which causes damage gradual lung damage that can be observed over time if not noticed. Mostly, exposure to cigarette smoke, workplace gases and fumes, polluted gasses, and poor ventilation in cooking places will cause this condition.
Flattened diaphragm observed through radiology usually is a serious condition that interferes with the respiratory system as it shows lung hyperinflation (Gaillard, 2020). The hyperinflation is usually accorded to emphysema. Complications, however, result due to lung damage whereby, a hyperinflated lung will increase its space position since the diaphragm becomes more flat, increasing its diameter beyond the normal.
Finally, the patient undergoing more tests and analysis help for correct examination to help in managing the alteration of the cardiovascular and respiratory systems. Therefore, Auscultation helps in the listening of the different sounds of the breathing system during disease diagnosis. Rhonchi are wheezing sounds resulting from blockages in the air passage, by secretions such as mucus. It is mainly presented by patients with pneumonia, cystic fibrosis, and also, another indication for pneumonia (Lampert & Ausmed Editorial Team, 2020). Coarse rales are mainly involved with alveoli, and they sound like a fluid-filled lung space, especially in the airways. Mostly heard during breathing. Lastly, the patient presented in the case study has serious underlying alterations in the respiratory system, which range from mild to chronic. There are higher chances of pneumonia and bronchial infections, such as bronchitis.
References.
Criner, G., Bourbeau, J., Diekemper, R., Ouellette, D., Goodridge, D., & Hernandez, P. et al. (2015). Prevention of Acute Exacerbations of COPD. Chest, 147(4), 894-942. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC4388124/
Gaillard, F. (2020). Flattening of the diaphragm | Radiology Reference Article | Radiopaedia.org. Radiopaedia.org. Retrieved 22 June 2020, from https://radiopaedia.org/articles/flattening-of-the-diaphragm#:~:text=Flattening%20of%20the%20diaphragm%20is,due%20to%20emphysema%201%2D2.
Lampert, L., & Ausmed Editorial Team. (2020). Rhonchi or Rales? Lung Sounds Made Easy (With Audio). Ausmed.com. Retrieved 22 June 2020, from https://www.ausmed.com/cpd/articles/rhonchi-vs-rales-wheezing-crackles.
Marcin, A. (2017). Yellow, Brown, or Green Phlegm: What It Means. Healthline. Retrieved 22 June 2020, from https://www.healthline.com/health/green-phlegm.
Shiel, W. (2020). Shortness of Breath (Dyspnea): Symptoms, Signs, Causes & Treatment. MedicineNet. Retrieved 22 June 2020, from https://www.medicinenet.com/shortness_of_breath/symptoms.htm.