The Role of Asthma Essay

Respiratory System

Respiratory system is a fundamental component of the human body that allows exchange of gases. It enables entry of oxygen into the blood and releases carbon dioxide. The anatomy of the system includes the nose and its adjacent structures such as trachea, pharynx, larynx, alveoli, and lungs. In a normal scenario, the air the nose or mouth and travel to through the pharynx and larynx. Further, the system is usually covered with cilia and mucous membrane that prevents dryness of tissues, filters particles, and traps harmful substances and microorganism. From the upper respiratory system, the air enters the left and right bronchi into the alveoli in the lungs where the exchange of the two gases occurs with oxygen entering the blood system and carbon dioxide leaves the lungs.

Cause and Risks leading pathological development of Asthma

The fundamental causes of asthma are not completely understood. Combination of environmental and genetic factors is the primary predisposition. The environment elements are the large part of asthma exacerbations. Some of the major triggers of asthma include allergens, foods, additives, exercises, smoking, respiratory system infections, and medications. 80% of the people with asthma are allergic to airborne substances such as weed pollens, dust, and cockroach particles (Beasley, Semprini and Mitchell, 2015, p. 69). Food and additives such as eggs, cow milk, soy, wheat, and salads can trigger asthma. Strenuous exercises can result in narrowing of the airways in about 80% of individuals with asthma. Smokers are at increased risk of getting the condition. Infection in the sinuses and other organs of the upper respiratory system can result in inflammation in the mucous membranes causing a response that leads to trigger of asthma. Bronchitis, flu and cold can result in asthma attack, particularly, in children under the age of ten years (Beasley, Semprini and Mitchell, 2015, p. 69). Other important triggers include irritants such as strong odors from perfumes, weather, and strong emotions.

Rational for Treatment of Asthma

Asthma is defined as the syndrome characterized by narrowing of the bronchi and can be in various forms, for instance, dyspnea, wheezing, and cough occurring periodically with or near complete symptoms free period to persistent chronic asthma with frequent signs (Kristiansen et al., 2017, p.18). The most common asthma occurs as result of allergy which develops when antibodies react with the allergens. Asthma impairs the well-being of the patients and impacts significantly the ability of an individual to undertake normal activities. Persons with asthma have to limit their social routines as they become worried about their safety (Kristiansen et al., 2017, p.18). For example, they fear to engage in sports and taking part in exercising. The disease affects people in different ways: schooling, employment, personal relationships, and social interaction. Sometimes the conditions result in isolation. Asthma is one of the illness that impact anxiety, stress, and sadness. The disease is also related to high prevalence of depressive and anxiety disorders. These psychological traits and states can mutually potentiate one another through non-adherence to drugs and psycho-physiological medication (Lehrer et al., 2015, p. 43). At the same time, it can lead to panic disorder, depression, and emotional arousal. The development of these signs leads diagnosis and establishment of treatment course.

Rational for Preventing Asthma

Healthcare professionals play a major role in the prevention of asthma. However, they also face considerable challenges. The important prevention of asthma and health promotion strategies revolves around avoiding triggers and allergens and taking preventive medications. In particular, if a person does not have asthma the best way to prevent development of the disease is avoiding the triggers through air filtration systems to help get rid of the homes of common allergens including dust mites, pollen, mold and other particles (Beasley, Semprini and Mitchell, 2015, p. 69). Another technique that can promote health is using humidifiers which increase the level of moisture in the air by releasing water vapor. Further, doctors often use immunotherapy which entails being injected with small amount of allergen to trigger immune system response. Another medical approach encompasses use of drugs such as inhalers and tablets as well as treating lung infections (Beasley, Semprini and Mitchell, 2015, p. 69). Further, the function respiratory system directly related to health style. Respiratory system is made of several organs: nose and nasal cavity, mouth, pharynx, larynx, trachea, bronchi, bronchioles, alveoli and diaphragm each with a specific function. The nose is used to inhales the air while the cavity warms it as it enters purifying and filtrating it by removing particles and dust (von Mutius, 2016, p. 681). The mouth is also utilized to getting the air into the body as the oral cavity is larger than nasal and air has less distance to travel. Pharynx is contained epiglottis that ensures the air passes through the trachea and not esophagus. Larynx is utilized to produce strong cough reflex when the food particles pass to the respiratory system. The trachea is the major organza of the system and is used to clean the air as it carries cilia and mucous (von Mutius, 2016, p. 681). Bronchi allow air from external opening to pass efficiently to the lungs. Bronchioles lead to the alveoli which in return allow exchange of oxygen and carbon dioxide. The diaphragm contracts and expands creating negative pressure allowing breathing to occur. Lifestyle impacts ability of the respiratory system to function properly. Body chilling foods, for instance, items eaten directly from the fridge creates excessive mucous as result of coldness (Omananda, 2014). On the other hand, overly warm rooms cause mucus in the system to dry. Direct and passive smoking makes the nose inactive for the time of smoking as it tries to block the pollutants through secretion of increased mucus. Additionally, restrictive clothing impacts the body’s mucus activity (Omananda, 2014). Time cloths prevent full movement of organs such as the diaphragm. Additionally, exercise produces short and long-term effects in human body. Immovable muscles result in stagnant lungs which mean generation of excessive mucus that blocks the airways. Each exhalation expels excessive moisture from the lungs. When the one is no doing any exercise or the body is underactive, the lungs produce more mucus (Nieto et al., 2014, p.104). Therefore, exercise is an effective way of controlling this issue. In other words, physical activity takes out excessive mucus from the respiratory system. At the same time, the primary short-term effect of exercise on the respiratory system is that the activity provides the muscles with oxygen. The long-term effect of exercise on the human body relate to the increased vital capacity, the greatest volume which influences the efficiency of supply of oxygen (Nieto et al., 2014, p. 103). Other long-term effects include increase strength of the respiratory muscle, oxygen diffusion rate, and ventilation.

Conclusion

Indeed, the social, biological and psychological health allows normal functioning of the respiratory system. Biologically, allergens and asthma triggers impact respiratory organs system. Socially, the disease prevents individuals from participating in physical exercise which lead to short and long-term impacts. Psychologically, anxiety, depression and stress can lead to isolation which in turn causes lack of inactivity.

References

Beasley, R., Semprini, A., & Mitchell, E. A. (2015). Risk factors for asthma: is prevention possible?. The Lancet, 386(9998), 1075-1085.

Kristiansen, M., Dhami, S., Netuveli, G., Halken, S., Muraro, A., Roberts, G., ... & Ansotegui, I. J. (2017). Allergen immunotherapy for the prevention of allergy: A systematic review and meta‐analysis. Pediatric Allergy and Immunology, 28(1), 18-29.

Lehrer, P., Feldman, J., Giardino, N., Song, H. S., & Schmaling, K. (2015). Psychological aspects of asthma. Journal of consulting and clinical psychology, 70(3), 691.

Nieto, Antonio, Ulrich Wahn, Albrecht Bufe, Philippe Eigenmann, Susanne Halken, Gunilla Hedlin, Arne Høst et al. “Allergy and asthma prevention 2014.” Pediatric Allergy and Immunology 25, no. 6 (2014): 516-533.

Omananda, S., (2014). Lifestyle issues affecting upper respiratory health and excessive mucus in the body. Retrieved 28th June 2018 from http://www.healthandyoga.com/html/neti/affect_health.aspx

von Mutius, E. (2016). The microbial environment and its influence on asthma prevention in early life. Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, 137(3), 680-689.