Common Circulatory and Respiratory System Disorders

Common Circulatory System Disorders

• Thrombosis: Occurs when a blood clot causes a blockage in a blood vessel, which can lead to a heart attack or stroke.
• Leukaemia: A type of cancer characterized by an excess of white blood cells.
• Anaemia: A condition where there are not enough red blood cells in the body.
• Arteriosclerosis: Occurs when artery walls become harder due to the buildup of fats and cholesterol.
• Atherosclerosis: When plaque on an artery wall prevents blood from flowing through the artery.
• Myocardial Infarction: Commonly known as a heart attack, caused by a blockage of blood flow in one of the heart's coronary arteries.
• Hemophilia: A hereditary, inherited condition where blood cannot clot properly because of a lack of blood-clotting proteins and platelets.
• Varices: The swelling and twisting of veins in the legs due to faulty venous valves.

Lymphatic and Urinary Conditions

• Elephantiasis: A condition that attacks the lymphatic system, often transmitted by a mosquito bite.
• Cystitis: Inflammation of the bladder, usually caused by an infection.
• Kidney Stones: Crystals of uric acid and salt formed in the renal pelvis that must be passed out through the urinary tract.

Respiratory System Diseases

Respiratory diseases include any pathological condition affecting the organs and tissues that make up the gas exchange system.

• Cold: A well-known viral respiratory disease characterized by symptoms like a runny nose and sore throat.
• Pneumonia: Inflammation of the alveoli that causes coughing; it can be caused by harmful substances, bacteria, or coronavirus.
• Emphysema: Gradual damage to the alveoli in the lungs, making you progressively shorter of breath.
• Sinusitis: Inflammation of the sinuses (bone cavities connected to the nostrils) that causes pain and pressure around the eyes, usually caused by viruses.
• Lung Cancer: The uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells in one or both lungs.
• Strep Throat: A throat infection caused by Streptococcus bacteria.
• Asthma: Swollen, sensitive airways where the bronchi contract due to allergic reactions or infection.

Blood Components and Vascular Anatomy

Types of Blood Cells

• Erythrocytes: The most common type of cell (5 million per mm³). They are disc-shaped without a nucleus and contain hemoglobin, the molecule responsible for blood transport.
• Leukocytes: Approximately 7,000 per mm³. These cells help protect the body from infections and include different types such as eosinophils and basophils.
• Thrombocytes: These are not true cells but cell fragments. They contain substances that allow the blood to coagulate, which prevents hemorrhages.

Differences Between Arteries and Veins

• Arteries: Carry blood away from the heart. They have a more developed muscular layer, higher blood pressure, and usually carry oxygenated blood (except for the pulmonary artery). They do not have valves, except for the aorta and pulmonary artery.
• Veins: Take blood back to the heart. They have a thinner muscular layer, lower blood pressure, and usually carry blood rich in CO2 (except for the pulmonary veins). They contain valves to prevent backflow.