Bronchitis Essays - RTT, Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases

Bronchitis Essays - RTT, Chronic Lower Respiratory Diseases Bronchitis Bronchitis is the inflammation of the bronchi. It may develop suddenly, following a head cold (acute bronchitis), or it may persist or return regularly for many years, causing progressive degeneration of the bronchi and lungs (chronic bronchitis). Certain people are more susceptible than others; Men are more of a target to bronchitis than women, out numbering them 10 to 1 cc the reasons are unclear. Of course smokers are 50 times more likely to get chronic bronchitis than noncsmokers. Acute bronchitis is a bacteria or virus infection, often following a cold smoking. People who have acute bronchitis usually have a mild fever, soreness under breast bone, irritated by coughing. First they have a dry cough then the cough later brings up green and yellow mucus. The cough may persist to 4 to 6 weeks. Chronic bronchitis is produced by other chronic problem: sinusitis, smoking, TB, etc. The Bronchi becomes thick, inelastic, and accumulate mucus and pus in lower part of lungs instead of bringing discharges up and out. The result is chronic cough, shortness of breath, sometimes spasm, and frequent infection. In acute bronchitis, the basic symptoms are a head cold, fever and chills, running nose, aching muscles and possibly back pains. This is soon followed by the obvious persistent cough. At first the cough is dry and racking and eventually becomes phlegmy. The persistent cough is worse at night than during the day, and when the person breathes in smoke and fumes. The main symptoms most recognized in chronic bronchitis is, again, a cough, with sputum, often occurring in paroxysms. Other symptoms in chronic bronchitis are dependant on how much, or how little, emphysema is present. This disorder causes the lungs to become overstretched, making the breathing process difficult. The chronic bronchitic with no emphysema tends to be overweight and often has a bluish tinge to his or her lips due to lack of oxygen. Shortness of breath only occurs during exercise and other strenuous activity. The bronchitic with a great deal of emphysema, who has lost a lot of his or her oxygen cc exchanging ability, due to the condition, is short of breath at all times. The bronchitic with emphysema very often are underweight and, as the disease comes worse, develops a barrel chest. The Chronic bronchitic also wheezes because of the obstruction. NOTE: Emphysema is a state of overdistention of the tiny air-containing sacs of the lung. The cause of bronchitis are from viral or bacterial infections which spreads to the chest. The body uses defence mechanisms to try to prevent the viruses and bacterias from spreading the infections. Examples of defence mechanisms are sneezing, coughing, etc. There are also white blood cells to help us the fight off the bacterias and viruses. However if new viruses and bacterias enters our body then the white blood cells will have to take some time to recognize the new viruses and bacterias. Fortunately, a different kind of white blood cells try to fight off the bacterias and viruses as much as they can but unfortunately as they are doing that, they are releasing other chemicals. The chemicals enter the tissue that surrounds the trachea (see page 5 cc diagram 1) and they begin to expand and swell up. As they expand, they squeeze the trachea (see pg 5 cc diagram 2). As a result, less air can pass through the trachea causing a short of breath. Generally, bronchitis occurs with greater frequency in winter, in damp, cold climates, and in heavy polluted environments. The best treatment for acute bronchitis is bed rest in a warm room. Cough medicines will relieve the cough and aspirin will reduce the fever. Acute bronchitis that is viral usually runs it's course without medication. A proper diet and avoidance of additional irritants such as smoking are recommended. Steam inhalations is helpful in eliminating congestive mucus. Antibiotics may be needed if the cause is bacteria. Treatment of chronic bronchitis is more difficult. The patients lungs are already damaged and the destruction of the airways are not easily renewed. Bronchial dilator drugs may be given to the patient to relieve any such obstruction, while physiotherapy will help the patient get rid of any sputum. Yoga and breathing exercises may help shortness of breath. In severe cases, urgent hospital treatment may be required. Oxygen may have to be given through the course of the illness. Postal drainage can also be tried. This is when the patient lies on a bed, a large cushion raising the groin, and smaller pillows supporting the chest. Tapping the chest in this position causes the patient to

Learn About Scarab Beetles of the Family Scarabaeidae

Learn About Scarab Beetles of the Family Scarabaeidae Scarab beetles include the biggest insects in the world, in terms of sheer mass. Scarabs were revered in ancient Egypt as symbols of resurrection. More than just powerhouses, scarab beetles serve important roles in the habitats where they live. The family Scarabaeidae includes dung beetles, June beetles, rhinoceros beetles, chafers, and flower scarabs. What Are Scarab Beetles? Most scarab beetles are robust, convex insects with brown or black coloring. Whatever the coloration, size, or shape, scarabs share a key common feature: lamellate antennae that can be closed tightly. The last 3 to 7 segments of each antenna form plates that can be expanded like a fan or folded together into a club. Scarab beetle larvae, called grubs, are c-shaped and usually live in the ground, feeding on roots. The grubs have a distinctive head capsule, and easy to identify legs on the thorax. The family of scarab beetles falls into the following classifications: Kingdom - AnimaliaPhylum - ArthropodaClass - InsectaOrder - ColeopteraFamily - Scarabaeidae What Do Scarab Beetles Eat? Most scarab beetles feed on a  decomposing matter such as dung, fungi, or carrion. This makes them valuable in their environments as they are a bit like the cleanup crew or garbage haulers of the animal kingdom. Other scarab beetles visit plants, feeding on pollen or sap. Flower scarabs are important pollinators, for example. Larvae feed on plant roots, carrion, or dung, depending on the type of scarab. The Life Cycle of Scarabs Like all beetles, scarabs undergo complete metamorphosis with four stages of development: egg, larva, pupa, and adult. Scarab beetles generally lay their eggs in the ground, in dung, or in other decomposing materials including carrion. In many species, the larvae feed on plant roots, though some feed directly on dung or carrion. In areas with cold winter climates, grubs typically move deeper into the soil to survive freezing temperatures. They then emerge as adults in early summer. Special Adaptations and Defenses Some male scarabs, such as rhinoceros or Hercules beetles, bear horns on their head or pronotum (the hard dorsal plate covering the head-body junction). The horns are used to spar with other males over food or females. Dung beetles excavate burrows below manure piles, then mold the dung into capsules in which they lay their eggs. The mother cares for her developing young by keeping the dung ball free of mold or fungi. The June beetle (or June bug) feeds at night and is attracted to light, which is why theyre often seen on warm evenings in early summer. The female can lay up to 200 small pearl-like eggs and the larvae feed on plant roots for three years before emerging as adults. Some plant-eating scarabs such as the rose chafer are poisonous to chickens and other poultry who eat them. Range and Distribution Some 20,000 species of scarab beetles inhabit terrestrial habitats around the world. Well over 1,500 species of Scarabaeidae live in North America.