Health Tips - Respiratory

Respiratory illnesses are the leading causes of unplanned hospitalizations and death for people in the Phoenix Valley Area with developmental disabilities. While many respiratory illnesses can start out as minor illnesses, such as the common cold, they can sometimes develop into much more serious and life-threatening illnesses, including pneumonia. As a direct support professional, you can play an important role in protecting the individuals who you support from the more serious effects of respiratory illnesses. By understanding what respiratory illnesses are and recognizing the signs and symptoms at an early stage, you can keep the individuals who you support healthy and strong.

What are respiratory illnesses?
Respiratory illnesses are those that affect the parts of the body used for breathing. For example, respiratory illnesses can affect the:

• Nose
• Sinuses
• Throat
• Bronchial tubes (the tubes that bring air to the lungs)
• Lungs

Many people experience at least one or two minor respiratory illnesses each year. If left untreated, some minor respiratory illnesses can turn into more serious and life-threatening illnesses. Some common respiratory illnesses found in the Gilbert Chandler area that you and the individuals who you support may have experienced (or may experience in the future) include:

• The common cold
• Influenza (flu)
• Bronchitis
• Pneumonia

What are the risk factors for respiratory illnesses?
Everyone experiences respiratory illnesses periodically. However, some people have a greater chance of experiencing more serious respiratory illnesses more often. These people include:

• Older adults and young children
• People who smoke cigarettes, cigars, or pipes
• People who live in an area with polluted or smoky air
• People with other, ongoing illnesses or conditions

Respiratory illnesses are contagious (can spread from one person to another). Because of this, people are more likely to develop respiratory illness when:

• They live in homes where they often come in close contact with others who may have respiratory illnesses

• They visit their doctor’s office more often than others; while at these visits they may come in contact with other people who have respiratory illnesses

• They don’t use proper hygiene or come in contact with people who don’t use proper hygiene

For more information or if you have questions please don't hesitate to contact us today!