Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis - Research Paper Example

? Coal workers Pneumoconiosis Coal workers Pneumoconiosis Introduction Coal Workers Pneumoconiosis is a disease that affects the lungs causing difficulties in breathing. The disease is mostly common among people working in coal industries because they inhale dangerous waste products such as graphite, coal, and carbon that are released in the industries. Black lung disease is another term for Coal Workers pneumoconiosis. After a continued exposure to dust in coal industries, an individual breathes in this dust, which forms a layer in the lungs because the lungs cannot remove the dust. Breathed dust is harmful to the health of people. For instance, it causes swelling of the lungs, necrosis, and fibrosis. These conditions lead to death if the correct measures of treatment are not sought in time (Baughman, Carbone & Bottino, 2009). Pneumoconiosis commonly affects industrial workers who earn their living through mining coal. The disease can also affect people who work using coal because they also breathe in dust particles. Tobacco smokers are vulnerable to pneumoconiosis. Breathed smoke forms a layer in the lungs causing swelling of the lungs and breathing problems. The effects of pneumoconiosis are not only felt by individual workers but also the larger society. For instance the government of the United States of America allocates $44 annually to cater for medical costs of infected miners as well as supporting windows and orphaned children (Baughman, Carbone & Bottino, 2009). Pneumoconiosis forms of coal workers According to Baughman and Bois (2012), the effects of coal workers pneumoconiosis vary depending on the stage. Within the first stages of the disease, an individual does not show any signs. Anthracosis refers to the mild condition of the disease. The majority of people living in urban centers suffer from this condition because they inhale carbon and other harmful gases emitted from industries. Continued exposure to harmful gases triggers the development simple and complicated coal workers pneumoconiosis which is more harmful. The symptom of simple pneumoconiosis is development of nodules on the area of lungs in which dust particles of coal have piled. Chest x-rays are used in examination of the disease. Simple pneumoconiosis proceeds to the next and most harmful stage if an individuals continues inhaling dust for a long period. This is called progressive massive fibrosis. Fibrosis is a dangerous disease of the lungs which hinders the lungs from carrying out the normal functions. Progressive massive fibrosis patients stand a high risk of contracting scleroderma, rheumatoid, and other autoimmune conditions. Another disease that is prevalent to industrial coal workers is chronic bronchitis. Lengthened exposure to dust particles in coal industries cause chronic bronchitis. However, occurrence of the disease is determined by factors such as smoking, duration of exposure, type of job, and age. The chances of contracting bronchitis are higher among smokers than non smokers to develop bronchitis. However, studies show that 16% of non-smokers working as coal miners in industries are likely to suffer from bronchitis (Baughman & Bois, 2012). Prevalence of pneumoconiosis Pneumoconiosis and its effects on coal miners in industries is an issue of concern because there are many people working in this sector across the world. For instance, in the United States of America alone, the approximated number of coal miners is 130, 000. Statistics show that more than 10, 000 miners in America have died as a result of pneumoconiosis within the last decade. Developing countries report more deaths than developed countries. This implies that if the problem is not addressed, many more lives will be lost. The first study to determine the negative effected associated with coal mining was carried out by Donald Rasmussen, Hawey Wells, and Buff in 1966. The experiment was conducted on Earl Stafford aged 48 who had been forced by the condition of his lungs to quit job. These doctors spend the following years in carrying out tests with the aim of helping infected coal miners as well as seeking for necessary measures to get rid of the disease. Stafford addressed the congress in the United States concerning the dangers subjected to coal miners in industries. In order to draw the attention of the government, Stafford mobilized coal miners and under his leadership went absent in jobs to conduct strikes locally. The aim of the strikes and demonstrates was to bring to the attention of the government the dangers coal mining posed to the miners. The working conditions were improved which in turn reduce pneumoconiosis and its related effects. Pneumoconiosis is a worldwide problem. Nowadays, the working conditions of coal miners have been improved. This has seen a decrease in deaths resulting from the disease (Baughman, Carbone & Bottino, 2009). Etiology An individual’s risk of suffering from pneumoconiosis depends on the duration he or she interacts with coal dust. Pneumoconiosis is common among people above 50 years. Chances of getting the disease increase with increase in coal dust inhalation. The disease is more prevalent among coal miners in industries because they inhale much carbon. However, working in coal industries is not a guarantee that an individual will be infected. Studies show that some people work until retirement and test negative for pneumoconiosis (West, 2007). Clinical manifestations Pneumoconiosis is characterized by development of nodules in the lungs which cause difficulties in breathing. In most cases, pneumoconiosis is confused with asthma because they show similar symptoms. Wounds may be observed on the lungs. Other symptoms include pain and swollen joints, wheezing, chronic cough, black sputum, dysfunction of the lungs, pulmonary hypertension, stoke and other problems related to the heart (West, 2007). Diagnosis Various tests should be conducted by health professionals to determine if an individual is infected with pneumoconiosis. The physician should test if the lungs are functioning normally using a stethoscope. A stethoscope enables the doctor to listen and detect any sound likely to show that the patient is experiencing difficulties in breathing. Skin diseases, inflamed, and painful joints are other indicators of the disease. An x-ray and a Computed Tomography (CT) scan on the chest of the patient is a reliable and convenient test of pneumoconiosis. X-rays on the joints are used to detect if there are inflammations. Rheumatoid is tested using a sample of blood. A detailed previous history of the health status and occupation of an individual is helpful. Questions such as current and previous occupations as well as individual’s lifestyles must be asked. The doctor should know if the patient is a smoker or smoked sometimes back. Knowledge of such information is important in determining if the patient stands high chances of the disease (Lin, 2008). Case management Lin (2008) pneumoconiosis does not have a particular treatment. Treatment measures aim at minimizing lung and joint problems. Arthritis and inflamed joints can be treated by ibuprophen or any other anti-inflammatory tablets. These tablets can be bought in retail shops. Disease Modifying antiheumatic drugs (DMARDs) and Corticosteroids such as methotrexate and prednisone may be taken to reduce pain and prevent the condition of arthritis from getting worse. Breathing can be enhanced by salmeterol and other disease that treat bronchitis. Administrations of bronchodilators usually inhalers or pills enhances breathing. Another measure of treatment is providing the body with oxygen. Oxygen can be breathed in to the body through a tube inserted on the nose. This reduces breathing difficulties. Other important measures include frequent vaccinations to prevent flu, frequent check ups of lung problems such as tuberculosis and pneumonia, and quitting smoking. Conclusion Pneumoconiosis is a dangerous disease which leads to deaths of large numbers of people over the world annually. However, the disease can be prevented by ensuring that the environment in which coal miners’ work is free from dust. Necessary precautions should be taken by both employees and employees of coal, graphite or in industries that use artificial carbon. The employer should provide his or employees with facemasks to wrap the mouth and nose in the course of work to prevent dust from entering the body through the mouth and nose. Nowadays, the numbers of reported cases of pneumoconiosis infections in coal mining industries have reduced greatly because of the improved working conditions. Moreover, because of frequent tests, the disease is usually detected in the initial stages and treated. It is important to for industries to ensure that safety precautions are taken to prevent diseases related to health. References Baughman, R. & Bois, R. (2012) Diffuse lung disease: a practical approach diffuse lung disease: a practical approach. New York: Springer Baughman, R., Carbone, R. & Bottino, G. (2009). Pulmonary arterial hypertension and interstitial lung diseases: a clinical guide. New York: Springer Lin, E. (2008). Practical differential diagnosis for CT and MRI. London: Thieme West, J. (2007). Pulmonary physiology and pathophysiology: an integrated, case-based approach.New York: Lippincott Williams & Wilkins Read More