Physiology Of Asthma
Asthma is a condition of the respiratory which is caused by the tightness of the muscles in the airways, which therefore causes the individual with this condition to breathe out reduced amount of air which then leads to difficulty in inhaling and exhaling. According to the World Health Organization (2010), this condition is due to inflammation of the air passages in the lungs and affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the airways so they become easily irritated. In an attack, the lining of the passages swells causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs.
Barnes (1995) defines asthma as a "syndrome characterized by airflow obstruction that varies markedly, both spontaneously and with treatment". …show more content…
Also, Lee (2000) definition of asthma is that "it is a disease characterised by wide variations over short periods of time in resistance to flow in the intrapulmonary airways".
The topic chosen is asthma linked to bakers because it appears that there are more cases reported each year. According to the Health and Safety Executive (2015) statistics state that "the period 2012-2014 and the previous two 3-year periods bakers and flour confectioners' were the occupations with the highest rates of new cases per year". Baker's asthma can occur when flour dust or grain dust is inhaled and goes into the lungs causing changes to the lungs function. For example, the symptoms that can occur when the dust is inhaled to the lungs are coughing and shortness of breath. Health and Safety Executive (2015) states that "the common causes of asthma are flour dust and enzymes containing additives such as amylase". According to Safe Environment (2015), "the symptoms of inhaling flour dust exposure include a cough, wheeze shortness of breath and hoarseness".
There are a few physiological changes that occur in the body when an individual has asthma. These physiological changes transform from normal to abnormal causing the individual with the condition to suffer emotionally and physically. According to Health Alliance (2015) "asthma doesn't just take a physical toll on those who suffer from it but also an emotional and social one". The abnormal physiology of Asthma is when the muscles around the airways tighten up and the built of mucus occurs inside the airways causing the individual with this condition to have difficulties in inhaling and exhaling.
The Clinical Research Centre (2016) states that "when the airways react, the muscles around them tighten". This causes the airways to narrow, and less air flows to your lungs. The diagram shown in Appendix 1 from the Clinical Research Centre indicates the difference between the normal airways and the abnormal airways with asthma. The normal airway shows wider space and is free from mucus. It also shows how the oxygen is flowing in freely in and out without any trouble. The main function of the trachea is to give out air to the lungs to and from. According to New Health Guide (2013) "Trachea, this is also called the windpipe. It filters the air you breathe and also branches to the bronchi. The trachea has an epithelium lining in it which has a role of producing the mucus that traps any unclean particles in the air you breath which prevents it from getting to the …show more content…
lungs".
The affected airways in the diagram show how less air is getting in and more air is coming out in different directions due to the small breathing space and the mucus that is blocking the airways. The airways tube which is also known as the trachea is responsible for transporting the air in and out of the lungs. There are two branches that lead to the lungs on both sides of the lungs which are attached to the trachea called the bronchi.
According to Instructor (2003) "the bronchi, singularly known as a bronchus, are extensions of the windpipe that shuttle air to and from the lungs". They are highways for gas exchange, with oxygen going to the lungs and carbon dioxide leaving the lungs through them. The bronchi turn smaller the nearer they get to the lung tissue which then they are called the bronchioles. According to biology online (2006), "bronchioles are the tiny branches of air tubes within the lungs which are the continuation of bronchi and connect to the alveoli. The bronchioles have air sacs attached to them at the end called the alveoli". The alveoli's function is to give out the exchange of the carbon dioxide and oxygen. According to Livestrong (2013), "the alveoli are sites where the air is exchanged in the lungs". Therefore, when an individual has asthma, the air in the alveoli gets trapped making it hard for the gas exchange to occur due to the tight muscles around the trachea and bronchi and also due to the excess of mucus. This may be the cause of the tightness of the lungs because then it wouldn't be having the air to function accordingly.
The lungs also play a big role when it comes to the physiological changes in asthma. The airways tube is connected to the lungs. The lungs role is to transport oxygen to the red blood cells in the body. Therefore with less air entering the lungs, the lungs tighten up and do not transport the important oxygen to the red blood cells. The diagram in appendix 2 from the family health online (2015) shows how the air sacs also known as the alveoli trapped and red in colour due to the inflammation. The diagram also shows the mucus trapped inside the bronchi and the bronchioles.
Without gas exchange between carbon dioxide and oxygen travelling through the body, the heart can get affected too.
The heart is responsible for pumping the blood through the body to deliver to all the body parts with oxygen which come from the lungs. When there is a reduction of oxygen in the lungs, the blood is affected as well because the reduction of the oxygen in the blood as well.
During an asthma attack, the heart has to work harder and the blood pressure goes high leading for the heart to beat a lot more rapidly. Because the heart will be trying to get the oxygen all around the body parts were it is meant to be. According to Foundation, A. S (2015) "When the amount of oxygen in your lungs is reduced the amount of oxygen within your blood is reduced as well". That means that your heart will start to work harder to try to deliver the right amount of oxygen to the body. In other words, it will pump faster in an effort to get the oxygen where it needs to go.
Health and Safety Executive (2015) states that "new cases continue to occur, particularly in jobs where there is exposure to isocyanates in spray paint or to flour dust". The bar graph below in Appendix 3, show bakers asthma rates from 2009 to 2014.
The graph referring to Appendix 3, shows the statistics from HSE (2015), which suggest the total number of new cases each year. From 2009 to 2010 bakers asthma rises by 30cases because in 2009 there were 180 cases reported and in 2010, there were 210 cases of reported. In 2011, the rates drop at 170cases and then rise again to 190 cases in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, the graph shows that the rates had dropped the lowest since last 5 years at 130 cases. Therefore, this showing that there has been an improvement in bakers asthma because of the decrease of cases reported.
The last statistical reviews and taking was the 2014/2015 one that is illustrated on the graph in the appendix. HSE (2015), states that "information in the HSE relates to Health and Safety statistics for 2014/15". Therefore, there has not been any statistic found yet at the present time of 2016.
There are a few factors that could contribute on the bakers to be vulnerable to Asthma. This can be lifestyle the individual lives and general health. For example; if the individual smokes, is obese, if the individual is sensitive to allergens, respiratory infections and family history.
Smoking can have an impact because smoking affects the lungs and irritates the airways. According to Asthma UK (2015), "When you smoke or breathe in smoke, you're taking the smoke right into your lungs and the chemicals in cigarette smoke irritate and inflame the airways and lungs". Therefore, flour dust can easily be an increase to that. If the individual is obese that could also contribute to asthma because according to Everyday Health (2013), "Obesity can worsen asthma symptoms and make them more difficult to manage". Simply being obese may put you at increased risk of developing asthma. If an individual is also sensitive to allergens, then working in a bakery makes it worse with the flour dust. Health line (2005) states that "sensitivity to allergens is often an accurate predictor of your potential to develop asthma, these allergens usually include dust, toxic chemicals, and mold".
Viral Respiratory infections can also contribute to making the workers vulnerable to baker's asthma this is because respiratory infections has to do with the lungs and the airways. NHS Choices (2014), states "that it is well known that in people with asthma, respiratory infections such as colds or flu can trigger asthma symptoms, and, in more serious cases, an asthma attack".
Family history can be a contribution also to the workers because according to MDCH (2012), "asthma tends to run in families". Asthma is caused by many genes that you inherit from your parents. It also states how asthma is higher if an individual's parents have or have had asthma.
Every employer needs to do a risk assessment in their work environment to ensure that they identify any risk factors before employers get affected by it. For example, when it comes to bakers, the risk assessment needs to be taken to help the control exposure to dust and enzymes from for example; flour and grains. According to the HSE (2015), "Exposure to flour dust and enzymes contained in improvers may also provoke an asthmatic attack in individuals with pre-existing asthma".
Also, health surveillance needs to take place on the followings of the results from the risk assessment; this is because, in bakeries, bakers are at risk of being affected by dust from the flour, therefore, it is crucial for health surveillance. According to the HSE (2015), "Health surveillance can sometimes be used to help identify where more needs to be done to control risks and where early signs of work-related ill health are detected"
To prevent any cases being reported or cases getting any higher there should be a COSHH regulation at baker's workplace provided by the employer, this is so it helps the individuals at work to be safe from hazardous substances.
HSE (2015), states that "COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health". For example, it can look at how risks can be eliminated which can be flour dust and grain dust. This can also be done by providing PPE and ensuring that is used at all times to prevent harm. Gloves, Aprons and face masks are essential when working in a bakery firm due to the dust circulating around the air. Dust can also be on the worker's clothes, face, and hands. PPE, therefore, minimises the risks of bakers' asthma. This can be ventilations and dust monitors to ensure that air is being circulated around the area to prevent dust from being inhaled; mixer covers so no flour dust rises in the air when
mixing.
Employees should report to employers and should also follow Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) this is important because it limits the number of cases happening and being reported. It helps the employer aware of the risks and deal with them for prevention. HSE (2015) states that "Asthma is reportable when associated with work-related exposure to any respiratory sensitiser. In particular, this will include any chemical with the warning".
Baker's asthma occurs when an individual that works as a baker inhales particles of the flour dust or grain enzymes. To prevent this from occurring the employer needs to make sure a risk assessment is taken in a work and also health surveillance to ensure that risks are minimised and prevented. Also, the employer should provide workers with PPE. It is also essential that all accidents of when an individual catches asthma are reported to ensure the awareness to the workplace, so it helps the employer to look even harder at preventing risks from happening.
Barnes (1995) defines asthma as a "syndrome characterized by airflow obstruction that varies markedly, both spontaneously and with treatment". …show more content…
Also, Lee (2000) definition of asthma is that "it is a disease characterised by wide variations over short periods of time in resistance to flow in the intrapulmonary airways".
The topic chosen is asthma linked to bakers because it appears that there are more cases reported each year. According to the Health and Safety Executive (2015) statistics state that "the period 2012-2014 and the previous two 3-year periods bakers and flour confectioners' were the occupations with the highest rates of new cases per year". Baker's asthma can occur when flour dust or grain dust is inhaled and goes into the lungs causing changes to the lungs function. For example, the symptoms that can occur when the dust is inhaled to the lungs are coughing and shortness of breath. Health and Safety Executive (2015) states that "the common causes of asthma are flour dust and enzymes containing additives such as amylase". According to Safe Environment (2015), "the symptoms of inhaling flour dust exposure include a cough, wheeze shortness of breath and hoarseness".
There are a few physiological changes that occur in the body when an individual has asthma. These physiological changes transform from normal to abnormal causing the individual with the condition to suffer emotionally and physically. According to Health Alliance (2015) "asthma doesn't just take a physical toll on those who suffer from it but also an emotional and social one". The abnormal physiology of Asthma is when the muscles around the airways tighten up and the built of mucus occurs inside the airways causing the individual with this condition to have difficulties in inhaling and exhaling.
The Clinical Research Centre (2016) states that "when the airways react, the muscles around them tighten". This causes the airways to narrow, and less air flows to your lungs. The diagram shown in Appendix 1 from the Clinical Research Centre indicates the difference between the normal airways and the abnormal airways with asthma. The normal airway shows wider space and is free from mucus. It also shows how the oxygen is flowing in freely in and out without any trouble. The main function of the trachea is to give out air to the lungs to and from. According to New Health Guide (2013) "Trachea, this is also called the windpipe. It filters the air you breathe and also branches to the bronchi. The trachea has an epithelium lining in it which has a role of producing the mucus that traps any unclean particles in the air you breath which prevents it from getting to the …show more content…
lungs".
The affected airways in the diagram show how less air is getting in and more air is coming out in different directions due to the small breathing space and the mucus that is blocking the airways. The airways tube which is also known as the trachea is responsible for transporting the air in and out of the lungs. There are two branches that lead to the lungs on both sides of the lungs which are attached to the trachea called the bronchi.
According to Instructor (2003) "the bronchi, singularly known as a bronchus, are extensions of the windpipe that shuttle air to and from the lungs". They are highways for gas exchange, with oxygen going to the lungs and carbon dioxide leaving the lungs through them. The bronchi turn smaller the nearer they get to the lung tissue which then they are called the bronchioles. According to biology online (2006), "bronchioles are the tiny branches of air tubes within the lungs which are the continuation of bronchi and connect to the alveoli. The bronchioles have air sacs attached to them at the end called the alveoli". The alveoli's function is to give out the exchange of the carbon dioxide and oxygen. According to Livestrong (2013), "the alveoli are sites where the air is exchanged in the lungs". Therefore, when an individual has asthma, the air in the alveoli gets trapped making it hard for the gas exchange to occur due to the tight muscles around the trachea and bronchi and also due to the excess of mucus. This may be the cause of the tightness of the lungs because then it wouldn't be having the air to function accordingly.
The lungs also play a big role when it comes to the physiological changes in asthma. The airways tube is connected to the lungs. The lungs role is to transport oxygen to the red blood cells in the body. Therefore with less air entering the lungs, the lungs tighten up and do not transport the important oxygen to the red blood cells. The diagram in appendix 2 from the family health online (2015) shows how the air sacs also known as the alveoli trapped and red in colour due to the inflammation. The diagram also shows the mucus trapped inside the bronchi and the bronchioles.
Without gas exchange between carbon dioxide and oxygen travelling through the body, the heart can get affected too.
The heart is responsible for pumping the blood through the body to deliver to all the body parts with oxygen which come from the lungs. When there is a reduction of oxygen in the lungs, the blood is affected as well because the reduction of the oxygen in the blood as well.
During an asthma attack, the heart has to work harder and the blood pressure goes high leading for the heart to beat a lot more rapidly. Because the heart will be trying to get the oxygen all around the body parts were it is meant to be. According to Foundation, A. S (2015) "When the amount of oxygen in your lungs is reduced the amount of oxygen within your blood is reduced as well". That means that your heart will start to work harder to try to deliver the right amount of oxygen to the body. In other words, it will pump faster in an effort to get the oxygen where it needs to go.
Health and Safety Executive (2015) states that "new cases continue to occur, particularly in jobs where there is exposure to isocyanates in spray paint or to flour dust". The bar graph below in Appendix 3, show bakers asthma rates from 2009 to 2014.
The graph referring to Appendix 3, shows the statistics from HSE (2015), which suggest the total number of new cases each year. From 2009 to 2010 bakers asthma rises by 30cases because in 2009 there were 180 cases reported and in 2010, there were 210 cases of reported. In 2011, the rates drop at 170cases and then rise again to 190 cases in 2012 and 2013. In 2014, the graph shows that the rates had dropped the lowest since last 5 years at 130 cases. Therefore, this showing that there has been an improvement in bakers asthma because of the decrease of cases reported.
The last statistical reviews and taking was the 2014/2015 one that is illustrated on the graph in the appendix. HSE (2015), states that "information in the HSE relates to Health and Safety statistics for 2014/15". Therefore, there has not been any statistic found yet at the present time of 2016.
There are a few factors that could contribute on the bakers to be vulnerable to Asthma. This can be lifestyle the individual lives and general health. For example; if the individual smokes, is obese, if the individual is sensitive to allergens, respiratory infections and family history.
Smoking can have an impact because smoking affects the lungs and irritates the airways. According to Asthma UK (2015), "When you smoke or breathe in smoke, you're taking the smoke right into your lungs and the chemicals in cigarette smoke irritate and inflame the airways and lungs". Therefore, flour dust can easily be an increase to that. If the individual is obese that could also contribute to asthma because according to Everyday Health (2013), "Obesity can worsen asthma symptoms and make them more difficult to manage". Simply being obese may put you at increased risk of developing asthma. If an individual is also sensitive to allergens, then working in a bakery makes it worse with the flour dust. Health line (2005) states that "sensitivity to allergens is often an accurate predictor of your potential to develop asthma, these allergens usually include dust, toxic chemicals, and mold".
Viral Respiratory infections can also contribute to making the workers vulnerable to baker's asthma this is because respiratory infections has to do with the lungs and the airways. NHS Choices (2014), states "that it is well known that in people with asthma, respiratory infections such as colds or flu can trigger asthma symptoms, and, in more serious cases, an asthma attack".
Family history can be a contribution also to the workers because according to MDCH (2012), "asthma tends to run in families". Asthma is caused by many genes that you inherit from your parents. It also states how asthma is higher if an individual's parents have or have had asthma.
Every employer needs to do a risk assessment in their work environment to ensure that they identify any risk factors before employers get affected by it. For example, when it comes to bakers, the risk assessment needs to be taken to help the control exposure to dust and enzymes from for example; flour and grains. According to the HSE (2015), "Exposure to flour dust and enzymes contained in improvers may also provoke an asthmatic attack in individuals with pre-existing asthma".
Also, health surveillance needs to take place on the followings of the results from the risk assessment; this is because, in bakeries, bakers are at risk of being affected by dust from the flour, therefore, it is crucial for health surveillance. According to the HSE (2015), "Health surveillance can sometimes be used to help identify where more needs to be done to control risks and where early signs of work-related ill health are detected"
To prevent any cases being reported or cases getting any higher there should be a COSHH regulation at baker's workplace provided by the employer, this is so it helps the individuals at work to be safe from hazardous substances.
HSE (2015), states that "COSHH is the law that requires employers to control substances that are hazardous to health". For example, it can look at how risks can be eliminated which can be flour dust and grain dust. This can also be done by providing PPE and ensuring that is used at all times to prevent harm. Gloves, Aprons and face masks are essential when working in a bakery firm due to the dust circulating around the air. Dust can also be on the worker's clothes, face, and hands. PPE, therefore, minimises the risks of bakers' asthma. This can be ventilations and dust monitors to ensure that air is being circulated around the area to prevent dust from being inhaled; mixer covers so no flour dust rises in the air when
mixing.
Employees should report to employers and should also follow Reporting of Injuries, Diseases and Dangerous Occurrences Regulations (RIDDOR) this is important because it limits the number of cases happening and being reported. It helps the employer aware of the risks and deal with them for prevention. HSE (2015) states that "Asthma is reportable when associated with work-related exposure to any respiratory sensitiser. In particular, this will include any chemical with the warning".
Baker's asthma occurs when an individual that works as a baker inhales particles of the flour dust or grain enzymes. To prevent this from occurring the employer needs to make sure a risk assessment is taken in a work and also health surveillance to ensure that risks are minimised and prevented. Also, the employer should provide workers with PPE. It is also essential that all accidents of when an individual catches asthma are reported to ensure the awareness to the workplace, so it helps the employer to look even harder at preventing risks from happening.