Common peripheral neuropathy
Causes pain, tingling and numbness in the hand and fingers.
Due to the Median nerve being squeezed or compressed as travels through carpal tunnel of wrist
· Complex multisystem genetic disease
· Life shortening
· Causes thickened secretions
· Mutation in cystic fibrosis trans-membrane conductance regulator gene (CFTR)
· Recessive gene
· Affects
o Lungs
o Liver
o Pancreas
o Intestine
· Common, preventable and treatable disease
o Characterised by persistent respiratory symptoms
o Airflow limitations due to airway/alveolar abnormalities as a result of significant exposure to noxious particles or gases
· COPD is an umbrella term
o Chronic bronchitis – inflammation of the lung
Emphysema – damage to alveoli in the form of rupturing, causing enlarged air spaces
· Reversable chronic obstructive lung disease
· Characterised by:
o Acute exacerbations
o Intermittent airway obstruction
o Chronic inflammation
o Hyperreactivity of airway to stimuli
· Symptoms
o Wheeze
o Cough
o Shortness of breath
o Chest tightness
o Severity varies over time (reversable)
· Complex disorder involving:
o Biochemical
o Autonomic
o Immunologic
o Infections
o Endocrine
o Psychological
· Extrinsic = allergic
Intrinsic = non-allergic
· Inhalation of stomach contents or secretions of the oropharynx
· Causing lower respiratory tract infection
· The secretions are colonised by pathogenic bacteria
· Most common in vomiting patients
· Sometimes gastric reflux
· Rarely nasogastric tube placed in lung instead of stomach
