How To Failed Lungs Defense Mechanism
The lungs are bacteria free in normal condition because presence of high defense mechanism such as-
- Nasopharyngeal filtering action
- Mucociliary action of the lower respiratory airways
- The presence of alveolar macrophages and immunoglobulins.
Failure of these defense mechanism in certain conditions and may developed pneumonia -
1. Altered consciousness : The oropharyngeal contents may be aspirated and causing unconsciousness such as in -
- Coma
- Cranial Trauma
- Seizures
- Cerebrovascular accidents
- Drugs overdose
- Alcoholism
2. Depressed cough and glottic reflexes : In this condition aspirated gastric contents in to the lungs such as in -
- Old age
- Traumatic pain or Thoracoabdominal surgery
- Neuromuscular disease
- Weakness due to malnutrition
- Kyphoscoliosis
- Severe Obstructive Pulmonary Disease
- Endotracheal intubation
- Tracheostomy
3. Impaired mucociliary transport : The normal protection offered by mucus covered ciliated epithelium in the airways from the larynx to terminal bronchioles. It is impaired or destroyed in many conditions i.e.
- Cigarette smoking
- Viral respiratory infections
- Immotile cilia syndrome
- Inhalation of hot or corrosive gases
- Old age
4. Impaired alveolar macrophage function : Alveolar macrophages function are impaired in such conditions that cause pneumonia -
- Cigarette smoking
- Hypoxia
- Starvation
- Anaemia
- Pulmonary Oedema
- Viral respiratory infections
5. Endobronchial obstruction : Endobronchial obstruction may cause pneumonia that may occurs in such conditions -
- Tumour
- Foreign body
- Cystic fibrosis
- Chronic bronchitis
6. Immunocompromised conditions : Disorders of lymphocytes including congenital and acquired immunodeficiencies -
- AIDS
- Debility
- Senility
- Immunosuppressive therapy
- Granulocyte abnormalities
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