The Respiratory block is really fascinating, albeit that it didn't stand out much at the time. Thinking back it was breathtaking! Okay, maybe not quite. I just felt a pun was in order and that's all I could think of.
The first week was a real hit. By that I mean it was about a guy who got hit by a car. It is, like the other week one's of GEMP I and II, a case to introduce you to some basic physiology and other basic sciences. In addition it will also introduce you to a bit of Trauma (which is its own block in GEMP III). It's as easy as ABC (you'll see what I mean...).
The second week is all about asthma. Asthma is a reversible form of obstructive pulmonary disease - well, up to a point. Understand the (predominantly) underlying immune mediated pathophysiology. If you understand this, the management becomes simple. When it comes to the drugs, just remember that oral corticosteroids aren't without risk. Oral candidiasis is quite common.
Week three will cover respiratory infections: upper and lower. Upper respiratory infections include otitis media (middle ear infection). No, you don't breathe through your ears, it just shares the same epithelial structure, and the bugs that affect your upper airways also affect your middle ear. When it comes to pneumonias the pathologists will hammer on the differences between lobar and broncho pneumonia. It doesn't really matter clinically. The importance is to know the difference between community and nosocomial (hospital, old age homes, etc) acquired pneumonia. The causative organisms differ greatly. Streptococcus pneumoniae vs Pseudomonas auruginosa for example. The CURB 65 score (Google it) is also important.
TB is the name of the game in week four. Sheesh, it's so common and some say that by the time you graduate, you're almost certain to be infected. Don't stress, that doesn't mean you will be symptomatic. Do be careful though, you'll hear of so many stories of doctors who got infected. This week is important for obvious reasons. Just understand how the body reacts to the tenacious bacilli and you'll be fine.
If you were a bad child it's said that you will get a lump of coal for Christmas and that sucks, right? Well, imagine being the miner who got that coal. He also got coal - on his lungs. That's what week five is all about. The effects of mining on the respiratory system and other restrictive lung diseases, not Christmas, unfortunately. Nothing much more to it really. This week you can catch up some work if you are behind.
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is what week six is all about. Unlike asthma, this is an irreversible process. The terms "chronic bronchitis" and "emphysema" are a little bit archaic. Cor pulmonale is also discussed in this week. It's where the left heart is normal, but as a result of increased pulmonary vascular pressures, the right heart fails. TB is a common cause of this.
Few things in medicine we know for certain. The association between tobacco and carcinoma is one and that's what the very last week chats about. Smoking is a huge problem, and a difficult one to nip in the butt, as it were. If you're smoking now, try not to. Not because it's hypocritical, but because you're studying way too hard to die of cancer when you're young.
If you study hard in this block it will help you in the lung run. See what I did there? I just felt inspired! Okay, now I'm just typing random stuff with Resp puns. I'll stop right here, promise.
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