Lungs function

Hydrogen chloride is produced when PVC bums. A series of tests for the Federal Aviation Administration studied this issue. In those studies, test animals were able to survive exposures to hydrogen chloride reaching 10,000 ppm (190). More recent studies indicate less of a potential for delayed effects on lung function than expected (191). In a typical fire, hydrogen chloride levels rarely exceed 300 ppm, a fact confirmed by the Boston Fire Department and Harvard University (192). In hundreds of autopsies conducted on fire victims in the United States, not one death has been linked to the presence of PVC. 

Chest constriction impaired carbon monoxide diffusion capacity decrease in lung function without exercise... 

Headache chest discomfort sufficient to prevent completion of exercise decrease in lung function in exercising subjects... 

For sensitive individuals, reduction in pulmonary lung function chest discomfort irritation of the respiratory tract, coughing and wheezing. Threshold for injury to vegetation... 

Exposure to sulfur dioxide in the ambient air has been associated with reduced lung function, increased incidence of respiratory symptoms and diseases, irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat, and premature mortality. Children, the elderly, and those already suffering from respiratory ailments, such as asthmatics, are especially at risk. Health impacts appear to be linked especially to brief exposures to ambient concentrations above 1,000 ixg/in (acute exposures measured over 10 minutes). Some epidemiologic studies, however, have shown an association between relatively low annual mean levels and excess mortality. It is not clear whether long-... 

Forced expiration is commonly used to assess pulmonary function in both healthy and impaired individuals. Static measures of lung volumes (TLC, Vj, FRC) fail to detect dynamic changes in pulmonary function that are attributable to disease (e.g., asthmatic airway constriction). Obtaining maximum expiratory flow-volume (MEFV) curves (Fig. 5.21) permits derivation of key parameters in detecting changes in lung function. 

Lung function Relating to the transfer of oxygen from air into the blood and the disposal of carbon dioxide from the blood to the air. 

Shaver s disease A disease of the lungs found in workers exposed to fumes or dusts containing aluminium oxide. It is a type of pneumoconiosis and results in interstitial fibrosis and decreased lung function. 

Spirometry A test method used to evaluate lung function that measures volume of exhaled air passing through a tube during a given time. 

For children, Uie new standard will reduce respiratory problems, such as asthma tUtacks. It will result in one million fewer incidences of decreased lung function in cliildren each year... 

At typical indoor concentrations, COj is not thought to be a direct cause of adverse health effects however, COj is an easily-measured surrogate for other occupant-generated pollutants. Eye, nose, and throat irritation headaches lung cancer may contribute to heart disease buildup of fluid in the middle ear increased severity and frequency of asthma episodes decreased lung function. ETS is also a source of odor and irritation complaints. 

There is now good evidence that the clinical manifestations of asthma symptoms - impairment of lung function, sleep disturbances, limitations of daily activity, and the use of rescue medications - can be controlled with appropriate treatment. When asthma is controlled, there should be no more than occasional recurrence of symptoms and severe exacerbations should be rare. 

During COPD, the following symptoms occur, usually in the order mucus hypersecretion, ciliary dysfunction, airflow limitation, pulmonary hyperinflation, gas exchange abnormalities, pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. Acute exacerbations appear to be mainly triggered by bacteria, viruses or environmental pollutants. They lead to a worsening of lung functions, wasting and increased mortality their psychosocial impacts include depression and anxiety that may be associated with the will to die. 

Inhaled steroids (commonly used are beclomethasone, budesonide, triamcinolone, fluticasone, flunisolide) appear to attenuate the inflammatory response, to reduce bronchial hyperreactivity, to decrease exacerbations and to improve health status they may also reduce the risk of myocar dial infar ction, but they do not modify the longterm decline in lung function. Whether- steroids affect mortality remains unclear. Many patients appear to be resistant to steroids and large, long-term trials have shown only limited effectiveness of inhaled corticosteroid ther apy. Certainly, the benefit from steroids is smaller in COPD than in asthma. Topical side-effects of inhaled steroids are oropharyngeal candidiasis and hoarse voice. At the normal doses systemic side-effects of inhaled steroids have not been firmly established. The current recommendation is that the addition of inhaled gluco-coiticosteroids to bronchodilator treatment is appropriate for patients with severe to veiy sever e COPD. 

Mucolytic and anti-oxidant drugs include ambroxol, N-acetylcysteine, carbocysteine and iodinated glycerol. These drugs have no proven effect on lung function. At... 

Patients receiving bronchodilators or antiasthma drugs otten need to monitor their lung function at home with a peak flow meter. Doing so provides the patient and the physidan with valuable information about the status of the patient s condition and the effectiveness of therapy. Otten, trends in the readings can detect changes in the patient s airway and airflow even before any signs and symptoms are experienced. This allows possible intervention before a major problem arises. 

Implications to Humans. Acidic precipitation has not been observed with concentrations that pose a concern to human exposure. The acidic airborne pollutants in the particulate or gaseous forms such as the oxides of sulphur and of nitrogen, and the associated photochemical oxidant ozone, are inhaled. This may lead to the irritation of the respiratory tract, and subsequently to impaired lung function, aggravated asthma and bronchitis. 

For the treatment of lung surfactant deficiency in premature human infants suffering from respiratory distress syndrome, limited clinical trials were performed showing that liposomes in the lung-instilled intratracheally either as an aerosolized mist (Ivey et al., 1977) or as a suspension via an endotracheal tube (Fujiwara et al., 1980)—rapidly improved lung function. No adverse effects were observed as a result of the supplementation with surfactant-like material. It appears, therefore, that liposomes are a suitable system for the delivery of major phospholipid components of endogenous lung surfactant. 

When asbestos is handled, microscopic fibers become suspended in the atmosphere and are breathed into the lungs. There, they lodge in lung tissue, where they remain for many years, causing irritation that eventually leads to loss of lung function. Asbestos, which was once used extensively as insulation, is now recognized as a significant health hazard. 

Classification of asthma severity is based on daytime and nighttime symptoms, physical activity, lung function, variability in peak expiratory flow (PEF), and use of reliever medications. 

In chronic asthma, classification of asthma severity is based on daytime and nighttime symptoms, physical activity, lung function (PEF or FEVfi, PEF variability, and reliever medication use. Because lung function is difficult to measure in preschool children (children 5 years of age or younger), it cannot be used to classify disease severity in this age group. Chronic asthma is classified as mild intermittent asthma, or mild, moderate or severe persistent asthma (Table 11-1). 

Lung Function 60 mg/day) make repeated attempts to 60 mg/day) make repeated attempts to... 

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