Bronchiolitis Research Paper
Abstract
This paper investigates the effects of bronchiolitis and the many ways in which it can do a lot of damage to a human’s body. This type of condition is also known as inflammation of the bronchioles in which it mainly affects with a person’s lungs. With that being said, that leads us to the purpose of identification and treatment in this paper.
Keywords: Bronchiolitis, Viral Bronchiolitis, Bronchiolitis Obliterans Bronchiolitis and Its Description (Introduction)
Bronchiolitis is an inflammatory respiratory condition. It is damaged by a virus in the lungs (bronchioles) in which it affects the small air passages. The bronchioles responsibility is to control the airflow through the lungs and once it is damaged or becomes infected, …show more content…
they can potentially swell up and clog.
There are two main types of this condition. They include viral bronchiolitis and bronchiolitis obliterans. Viral bronchiolitis seems to be the more common type. This type occurs during the winter time and majority who get this condition are young children, and infants under the age of two years old. This is also due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Bronchiolitis obliterans seems to be more rare and occurs in adults rather than infants. This type causes blockage through the air passage, which creates a breakthrough that cannot be switched. (Bronchioles in Adults)
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Causes and Risk Factors of Bronchiolitis “Most cases of bronchiolitis are caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is a common virus that infects just about every child by the age of 2. Outbreaks of the RSV infection occur every winter. Bronchiolitis can also be caused by other viruses, including those that cause the flu or the common cold. Infants can be reinfected with RSV because at least two strains exist (Guichard, 2015).”
The viruses that cause bronchiolitis are easily spread. You can contract them through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. You can also get them by touching shared objects such as utensils, towels or toys and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Pathophysiology
Bronchioles are small airways (< 2 mm in diameter) and lack cartilage and submucosal glands. The terminal bronchiole, a 16th-generation airway, is the final conducting airway that terminates in the respiratory bronchioles. The acinus (ie, the gas exchange unit of the lung) consists of respiratory bronchioles, the alveolar duct, and alveoli. The bronchiolar lining consists of surfactant-secreting Clara cells and neuroendocrine cells, which are the source of bioactive products such as somatostatin, endothelin, and
serotonin.
“Bronchiolar injury and the consequent interplay between inflammatory and mesenchymal cells can lead to diverse pathologic and clinical syndromes. The effects of bronchiolar injury may begin 18 to 24 hours after the infection and include the following: Increased mucus secretion, Bronchial obstruction and constriction, Alveolar cell death, mucus debris, viral invasion, Air trapping, Atelectasis, Reduced ventilation that leads to ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and Labored breathing (Maraqa, 2017).”
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Histological Characteristics
“Childhood bronchiolitis obliterans (CBO) is an uncommon disease characterized by persistent signs and symptoms of obstructive respiratory disease after an acute bronchiolar injury. It is considered to be a complication of viral infection, most often of adenovirus, and is usually classified as a constrictive-type bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). Few reports have described its histology. We present the histopathological features of 34 pediatric patients with a diagnosis of BO, comprising 30 open lung biopsies (OLB), 2 lobectomies, and 2 autopsies. Quantitative analysis was performed on the OLB to better characterize the morphological changes observed in these lungs. Of 37 patients, 25 were male and 9 were female, ranging from 7 months to 15 years of age. Airway diameter in terminal bronchioles varied from 50-600 microm. Ninety-seven percent of the CBO were of constrictive type, with variable degrees of airway obstruction. Chronic inflammation in the bronchioles was mild in 63% of the patients (Mauad, 2002).” As you can see this type of condition affects children a lot more than adults.
Systems and Diagnoses of Bronchiolitis As we looked into the pathophysiology and characteristics of this condition, there are many various symptoms that a human body can receive. The symptoms of bronchiolitis resolve in about seven to ten days, usually with the need of directed treatment The first couple of days involves symptoms that are similar to having a cold. These include runny nose, cough, fever, stuffy nose, and a loss of appetite. Over the course of a few days, to a week later, if the person is diagnosed with bronchiolitis, the symptoms start to increase and become more effective. These
Lister 5 may include different pitch of wheezing, fast breathing, labored breathing and grunting, trouble drinking, swallowing, or sucking, signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, crying without tears, and not peeing as often, vomiting, sluggish or tired appearance, constant coughing, and a pause in breathing for more than fifteen seconds. There are several ways to diagnose both types of bronchiolitis. Imaging testing, including chest X-rays, helps doctors diagnose bronchiolitis. A common tool used for adults is spirometry. This measures how much and how quickly you take in air with each breath. Arterial blood gas tests for both bronchiolitis types measure how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. (What is Bronchiolitis, 2017).” Samples of mucus or nasal discharge can help your doctor diagnose the type of virus causing the infection. This testing method is common with babies and small children. Treatments of Bronchiolitis There are multiple diverse treatments for viral bronchiolitis. “Many cases of viral bronchiolitis are mild and clear up without treatment. For more severe cases in infants, hospitalization may be necessary. A hospital can provide oxygen, a nebulizer, and intravenous fluid treatments. Antibiotic medications don’t work against viruses, but some medications can help open your baby’s airways (Solan, 2017).” There is absolutely no cure for bronchiolitis obliterans. “Corticosteroids can help clear the lungs of mucus, reduce inflammation, and open up the airways. You may need oxygen treatments and immunosuppressant medications to regulate your immune system. Breathing exercises and stress reduction can help ease breathing difficulties. Sometimes a lung transplant may be the best option in the most severe cases (Solan, 2017).” Lister 6
Closing Summary of Bronchiolitis Although a human life is so valuable, and special, there could be many damages to it. These damages are sought out to be harmful, in which it can end a person’s precious life. Bronchiolitis can do so, if it is very damaging to the lungs. From my perspective, bronchiolitis is very painful and discomforting, and I would not want to put this type of condition on anyone. Even though there are simple ways to treat this condition, bronchiolitis proves that it could be very dangerous and discomforting.
This paper investigates the effects of bronchiolitis and the many ways in which it can do a lot of damage to a human’s body. This type of condition is also known as inflammation of the bronchioles in which it mainly affects with a person’s lungs. With that being said, that leads us to the purpose of identification and treatment in this paper.
Keywords: Bronchiolitis, Viral Bronchiolitis, Bronchiolitis Obliterans Bronchiolitis and Its Description (Introduction)
Bronchiolitis is an inflammatory respiratory condition. It is damaged by a virus in the lungs (bronchioles) in which it affects the small air passages. The bronchioles responsibility is to control the airflow through the lungs and once it is damaged or becomes infected, …show more content…
they can potentially swell up and clog.
There are two main types of this condition. They include viral bronchiolitis and bronchiolitis obliterans. Viral bronchiolitis seems to be the more common type. This type occurs during the winter time and majority who get this condition are young children, and infants under the age of two years old. This is also due to respiratory syncytial virus (RSV). Bronchiolitis obliterans seems to be more rare and occurs in adults rather than infants. This type causes blockage through the air passage, which creates a breakthrough that cannot be switched. (Bronchioles in Adults)
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Causes and Risk Factors of Bronchiolitis “Most cases of bronchiolitis are caused by the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV).
RSV is a common virus that infects just about every child by the age of 2. Outbreaks of the RSV infection occur every winter. Bronchiolitis can also be caused by other viruses, including those that cause the flu or the common cold. Infants can be reinfected with RSV because at least two strains exist (Guichard, 2015).”
The viruses that cause bronchiolitis are easily spread. You can contract them through droplets in the air when someone who is sick coughs, sneezes or talks. You can also get them by touching shared objects such as utensils, towels or toys and then touching your eyes, nose or mouth.
Pathophysiology
Bronchioles are small airways (< 2 mm in diameter) and lack cartilage and submucosal glands. The terminal bronchiole, a 16th-generation airway, is the final conducting airway that terminates in the respiratory bronchioles. The acinus (ie, the gas exchange unit of the lung) consists of respiratory bronchioles, the alveolar duct, and alveoli. The bronchiolar lining consists of surfactant-secreting Clara cells and neuroendocrine cells, which are the source of bioactive products such as somatostatin, endothelin, and
serotonin.
“Bronchiolar injury and the consequent interplay between inflammatory and mesenchymal cells can lead to diverse pathologic and clinical syndromes. The effects of bronchiolar injury may begin 18 to 24 hours after the infection and include the following: Increased mucus secretion, Bronchial obstruction and constriction, Alveolar cell death, mucus debris, viral invasion, Air trapping, Atelectasis, Reduced ventilation that leads to ventilation-perfusion mismatch, and Labored breathing (Maraqa, 2017).”
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Histological Characteristics
“Childhood bronchiolitis obliterans (CBO) is an uncommon disease characterized by persistent signs and symptoms of obstructive respiratory disease after an acute bronchiolar injury. It is considered to be a complication of viral infection, most often of adenovirus, and is usually classified as a constrictive-type bronchiolitis obliterans (BO). Few reports have described its histology. We present the histopathological features of 34 pediatric patients with a diagnosis of BO, comprising 30 open lung biopsies (OLB), 2 lobectomies, and 2 autopsies. Quantitative analysis was performed on the OLB to better characterize the morphological changes observed in these lungs. Of 37 patients, 25 were male and 9 were female, ranging from 7 months to 15 years of age. Airway diameter in terminal bronchioles varied from 50-600 microm. Ninety-seven percent of the CBO were of constrictive type, with variable degrees of airway obstruction. Chronic inflammation in the bronchioles was mild in 63% of the patients (Mauad, 2002).” As you can see this type of condition affects children a lot more than adults.
Systems and Diagnoses of Bronchiolitis As we looked into the pathophysiology and characteristics of this condition, there are many various symptoms that a human body can receive. The symptoms of bronchiolitis resolve in about seven to ten days, usually with the need of directed treatment The first couple of days involves symptoms that are similar to having a cold. These include runny nose, cough, fever, stuffy nose, and a loss of appetite. Over the course of a few days, to a week later, if the person is diagnosed with bronchiolitis, the symptoms start to increase and become more effective. These
Lister 5 may include different pitch of wheezing, fast breathing, labored breathing and grunting, trouble drinking, swallowing, or sucking, signs of dehydration such as dry mouth, crying without tears, and not peeing as often, vomiting, sluggish or tired appearance, constant coughing, and a pause in breathing for more than fifteen seconds. There are several ways to diagnose both types of bronchiolitis. Imaging testing, including chest X-rays, helps doctors diagnose bronchiolitis. A common tool used for adults is spirometry. This measures how much and how quickly you take in air with each breath. Arterial blood gas tests for both bronchiolitis types measure how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are in your blood. (What is Bronchiolitis, 2017).” Samples of mucus or nasal discharge can help your doctor diagnose the type of virus causing the infection. This testing method is common with babies and small children. Treatments of Bronchiolitis There are multiple diverse treatments for viral bronchiolitis. “Many cases of viral bronchiolitis are mild and clear up without treatment. For more severe cases in infants, hospitalization may be necessary. A hospital can provide oxygen, a nebulizer, and intravenous fluid treatments. Antibiotic medications don’t work against viruses, but some medications can help open your baby’s airways (Solan, 2017).” There is absolutely no cure for bronchiolitis obliterans. “Corticosteroids can help clear the lungs of mucus, reduce inflammation, and open up the airways. You may need oxygen treatments and immunosuppressant medications to regulate your immune system. Breathing exercises and stress reduction can help ease breathing difficulties. Sometimes a lung transplant may be the best option in the most severe cases (Solan, 2017).” Lister 6
Closing Summary of Bronchiolitis Although a human life is so valuable, and special, there could be many damages to it. These damages are sought out to be harmful, in which it can end a person’s precious life. Bronchiolitis can do so, if it is very damaging to the lungs. From my perspective, bronchiolitis is very painful and discomforting, and I would not want to put this type of condition on anyone. Even though there are simple ways to treat this condition, bronchiolitis proves that it could be very dangerous and discomforting.