5 th Grade Lungs Lesson 2 Community Health and Diseases of the Respiratory System

1. 5thGrade Lungs Lesson 2Community Health and Diseases of the Respiratory System

2. Let’s Review… • Who can tell me the parts of the reparatory system? • Nose • Nasal Passages (cilia) • Trachea • Bronchi • Lungs • Bronchiole • Alveoli

3. Respiratory ProblemsWhat have you experienced when you have had a cold? • Cough • Stuffy nose • Shortness of breath • Lots of mucus • Elevated temperature • Ache • Tired

4. Some colds are called influenza, a type of respiratory illness caused by a virus • Healthy lungs can fight off germs or disease, just like other organs of the body • There are ways we can try to avoid getting a cold or illness like influenza.

5. Influenza can spread from person to person. That is why it is called communicable. What are some ways you can prevent the spread of colds? • Cover your mouth with your arm when you cough or sneeze • Stay at home instead of going to school when sick • Use clean tissues • Wash your hands • Clean surfaces commonly used

6. Signs and symptoms of respiratory problems • Chronic Cough – Coughing regularly over a long period of time • Shortness of Breath – Can’t seem to get enough air, hard to breathe, may even feel dizzy • Wheezing – A throat-like sound made when breathing through the mouth • Coughing up Blood – Blood mixed with the mucus

7. Let’s Read – “Wheeze, Cough and Sneeze” on page 4 of our Student Issue

8. Allergies and Asthma • Allergies are NOT communicable • They tend to develop or are inherited • Allergies are an example of a life long condition, which usually isn’t life threatening when they are treated correctly • Many allergies can be handled by taking medication and/or avoiding the allergen • Do you know some common allergens?

9. Asthma • Asthma is non-contagious • The passageways that let air into the lungs constrict or become narrow • It is hard for the person to breathe air in and even harder to breathe the stale air out • Mucus is made and becomes sticky and thick • The skin swells on the inside of the bronchi • Asthma is treated by medication from a doctor and by learning how to avoid things which make asthma worse

10. How does asthma and allergies affect our community? • Many people suffer from asthma and allergies. • Millions of dollars are spent each year on medicines • They are the number one reason kids have to miss school • Raise your hand if you or someone you know have allergies or asthma • Nearly 10 million Americans have asthma. • Millions more have allergies.

11. Let’s read about Bronchitis

12. Please raise your hand if you have had a cold, croup and/or bronchitis? • These can be caused by micro-organisms, bacteria or viruses • Croup is a common disease among babies • The baby may have a harsh, barking cry which sounds something like a dog • Moist air usually improves croup such as misters, humidifiers, or warm steam from a shower

13. Some lung diseases can be contagious • Bacteria or viruses can be spread from one person to the next when they share the same glass, when a sick person fixes food for others, or when a sick person coughs or sneezes without covering their mouth or nose.

14. These respiratory illnesses affect our community when they are not treated properly • For example, if someone has bronchitis and does not take proper care of his or her body, they can develop more problems and can end up in the hospital. • Regular hand washing is most important in preventing the spread of viruses • Rest, easting nutritious food, and drinking lots of fluids, besides following the advice of a doctor, are all part of proper care when these conditions exist.

15. Let’s read the section on Pneumonia

16. Tuberculosis, or TB is highly communicable (contagious) • It is dangerous to a community because it can spread quickly • Those who are most in danger of getting TB are people with HIV/AIDS, people who don’t have good health care, or people who use IV drugs. • TB is caused by a micro-organism that creates an infection in the lungs, which can spread to other parts of the body. • The micro-organism will eventually erode the bronchi and leave holes, or cavities within the lungs • Doctors can give medicine called antibiotics to get rid of the disease, however some forms of this disease are resistant to medications

17. What is important to remember about taking care of our respiratory system • Regular cardiovascular exercise • Don’t smoke • Wash your hands often and thoroughly • Cover your mouth with your arm when coughing or sneezing • Get rest • Eat nutritious foods • Drink plenty of fluids