The Accumulation of Smoke Particles in the Lungs - Assignment Example

? Case Study of COPD Introduction: Heavy smoking of cigarettes or unlimited exposure to smoke and stuffy conditions for several durations causes severe effects to the lungs. The accumulation of the smoke particles in the lungs might block the respiratory system problems that cause a condition called COPD. This chronic condition makes breathing complicated to the victims or the patients. The forms of COPD can involve either lasting coughing with mucus or damage of the lungs over a given period. Exposure to air pollution and stuffy places like bars and bus stations, especially by the older people, for long hours or years can increase the prevalence of the disease in the body. Although the disease can be diagnosed and preventable by qualified doctors, the causes, prognosis, consequential requirements and social life of the victims might be at risks if not avoided at initial stages. Exposure to harmful fumes Mr. L, a bartender, suffers from the condition because he has been exposed to this situation for 40 years. Firstly, despite Mr. L being a heavy smoker, he also works in a bar where patrons smoke at all the times exposing his health to even greater healthy risks. At age 55, the lungs cannot fight the chronic damage caused through engulfing of the respiratory organs. This is further influenced by the air pollution created at the bus terminus by the city buses that he commutes in on a daily basis. The difficulty experienced when he walked past the three blocks is because he used respiratory gases at high rates of breathing, which caused the dilapidated walls of the lung to become narrow. This makes the situation challenging to Mr. L to access enough energy that can enable him walk on the dusty blocks. This, therefore, results from the excess unpurified air that he inhales from the bus terminus through to the dusty blocks and finally the smoke particles consumed from the cigarettes. The combination of the different unpurified gases accumulate in the lungs causing difficulty in breathing and insufficient supply of energy and gases to the heart, which leads to fatigue prompting him to rest (Falvo, 2009). Causes, incidence, and risk factors Smoking is the primary cause of COPD to Mr. L. The further the individual smoked, the more he developed COPD. However, some individuals smoke for years and never acquire COPD. In exceptional cases, nonsmokers who are exposed to smoking conditions and lack a protein called alpha-1 antitrypsin can also acquire the disease. Additionally, contact to certain combination of gases or fumes in the workplace such as bars and industrial places are risky. Exposure to grave amounts of secondhand smoke and toxic waste also increased the disease. Lastly, recurrent use of cooking fire with no appropriate ventilation makes the gases to cover the room, which the cook will inhale while in that kitchen (Falvo, 2009). Signs and Symptoms COPD condition is indicated by constant cough, with or without mucus, fatigue (that occasioned Mr. L to rest near the three blocks), multiple respiratory illnesses, and shortness of breath (dyspnea) that gets terrible with mild activity or difficulty catching one's gulp of air and panting. The symptoms of COPD develop gradually; some people might not recognize that they are sick. Expectations (prognosis) COPD is a lasting (chronic) illness. The infection will get dreadful more rapidly if one does not quit smoking. Victims with severe COPD may be short of breath with nearly all activities and might be hospitalized more regularly. These patients ought to consult qualified doctors about breathing equipment and end-of-life care (Falvo, 2009). Treatment In order for Mr. L to remain in his career, he should adopt preventive measures such as persons with COPD have to stop smoking. This is the finest way to slow down the lung destruction. However, medication alternatives can also be applied to treat COPD, for instance, use of inhalers (bronchodilators) to unlock the airways, such as ipratropium (Atrovent) and albuterol. The patient can also use inhalation steroids to shrink lung inflammation or apply anti-inflammatory prescription such as Singulair is occasionally used. Antibiotics are arranged during indication burst out, because infections can build COPD worse. Some people may require oxygen therapy at residence if they have low points of oxygen in the blood. Pulmonary treatment does not heal the lung disease, but it can train a person to breathe in a special way so to stay active. Exercise can assist maintain muscle power in the legs hence reduce frequent fatigue. Advice to Mr. L to build more strength by walking can be to use pursed up lip inhalation. The device is used when breathing out as this aids to clear the lungs prior to the next breath. Moreover, avoiding of cold air or ensuring that one avoids smoking zones and control of air pollution by avoiding fireplace fumes and other irritants can prevent the lung infections. Various ways in which the condition affects an individual’s social experiences There are various ways in which COPD diseases affects an individual’s social experience with others in the society. Most of the effects are social experiences that affect the relationship of the person suffering from the COPD to the people such as spouse, children, family members and the extended community. The association amid the individual and social groups or support systems such as work, clubs religious and organizations, volunteers groups and support groups is negatively affected by the COPD infection. The disease which is caused due to frequent smoking has spoiled the dreams of potential individuals by shunning their objectives (Hanania & Sharafkhaneh, 2011). This is because they make the victims weak and unable to breathe properly; hence, affecting the progress and hard work of the person. Firstly, the condition will affect the individual’s social experience with spouse in the various ways that weaken the existing bond amid them. In a situation where one spouse is suffering from the diseases makes the life of the other spouse difficult. This is because he/she has to spend most of the time taking care of the victim, and doing most of the house chores since the partner is unable to do anything that requires movement from one place to another. It will also be a burden to the other spouse, since he/she will be forced to work exceptionally hard to get in enough income that can take of the both family and the COPD victim. Consequently, such situations lead to divorce cases, when a spouse cannot handle the tasks and fulfill the demands of the sick person suffering from COPD (Hanania & Sharafkhaneh, 2011). Secondly, the condition will affect the individual’s social experience with the children since he/she will not get time to play and spend with their kids properly. This is because they cannot do many activities since they find it difficult to breathe and cough often. The children will fail to have an intimate relationship with their parents because of the lack of close association with one another, such families end up torn apart since the children and parents will not comprehend and understand one another. COPD affects the emotions of the victims who are affected with various ways; for example, it affects an individual’s emotions. It results to depression that results to the COPD victim to have mind-set of hopelessness and defenselessness, indefinite sleep patterns, frequent increase and loss of weight (Currie, 2011). Other causes of the COPD under depression are social isolation and feeling of insignificance. All this causes affects the social experience, and individual can have with the family members such as spouses and children (Currie, 2011). Thirdly, the condition will affect the individual’s social experience with the community and other social groups or support systems such as work, clubs, religious organizations, volunteer groups, or support groups. This is because COPD results in anxiety disorder, which is characterized with increased heart rate, sweating, muscle tension, and problem with digestions. The effects make it difficult for a person with COPD to work efficiently and work with others in the community (Currie, 2011). For example, in the case study, Mr. L was not able to work efficiently since he could cough often; hence, interfering with the comfort of the clients of the bar. Other effects of COPD are fear and remorse that is characterized by passionate anxiety, concern of thinking and irresistible sense of disaster or terror (Currie, 2011). The factors make an individual unproductive and think of reprehensible decisions and judgments. Therefore, unable to work appropriately in the society and have intimate social experience with members from the social groups or support systems. Conclusion In outline, the case study talks about an individual suffering from COPD and is experiencing challenges in his lives. This is because he is unable to walk for long distances and cough often, a condition that is making him have troubles in his work place where he works as a bartender. The condition is for Mr. L is tricky since COPD is a serious disease that makes a person inactive and unable to have intimate social experience with others in the community such as family, and social groups. COPD impacts individual’s social experience since it causes depression, anger, fear and remorsefulness. References Currie, G. P. (2011). ABC of COPD. Chichester, West Sussex, UK: Wiley-Blackwell, BMJ Books. Falvo, D.R. (2009). Medical and psychosocial aspects of chronic illness and disability. Sudbury, Mass : Jones and Bartlett Publishers. ISBN: 9780763744618   Hanania, N. A., & Sharafkhaneh, A. (2011). COPD: A guide to diagnosis and clinical management. New York: Humana Press. Read More