Respiratory disorders asthma

Respiratory Effects. One study suggested increased respiratory disorders (asthma, bronchitis, pneumonia) in children with chronic exposure to a solvent-contaminated water supply (Byers et al. 1988). Two municipal wells in eastern Woburn, Massachusetts, were found to contain several solvents including trichloroethylene (267 ppb) and tetrachloroethylene (21 ppb). The increased susceptibility to infection may be secondary to effects on the immune system. Accurate chemical-specific exposure levels for individuals could not be determined because the water distribution system was designed to use water from different wells at different rates and times. Other limitations of this study are described in Section 2.2.2.8. 

W ithin the past few years a number of new drugs have been introduced to treat respiratory disorders, such as bronchial asthma and disorders that produce chronic airway obstruction. This chapter discusses the bronchodilators, dragp that have been around for a long time but are still effective in specific instances, and the newer antiasthma drugs that have proven to be highly effective in the prophylaxis (prevention) of breathing difficulty. 

A broncho dilator is a drug used to relieve bron-chospasm associated with respiratory disorders, such as bronchial asthma, chronic bronchitis, and emphysema These conditions are progressive disorders characterized by a decrease in die inspiratory and expiratory capacity of die lung. Collectively, tiiey are often referred to as COPD. The patient with COPD experiences dyspnea (difficulty breatiiing) with physical exertion, has difficulty inhaling and exhaling, and may exhibit a chronic cough. 

Asthma is a complex respiratory disorder that involves mast cell degranulation, mucous secretions, and smooth muscle hypertrophy and hyperresponsiveness. Smooth muscle hyperresponsiveness has suggested some defect in the regulation of smooth muscle contractility. Therefore, a number of studies concerning asthma have centered on whether alterations in the regulation of smooth muscle contraction (Figure 4) are responsible for hyperactivity in asthmatic airway smooth muscle. 

Flunisolide is a fast-acting corticoid designed for the treatment of allergic rhinitis, asthma, and other allied respiratory disorders in humans. As the quantum of drug delivered by inhalation (/. e., the usual route of administration of the drug), is invariably small, the plasma-levels attained can also be fairly small. Hence, there is a dire need for a sensitive method of plasma concentration evaluation which is satisfied by radioimmunoassay. 

The signs and symptoms of hypersensitivity include urticaria, contact dermatitis of the skin, and respiratory disorders ranging from sneezing, shortness of breath, and cyanosis to severe asthma. The latency period from the first contact with platinum to the occurrence of the first symptoms varies from a few weeks to several years. ... 

The people who are most at risk for health problems from particulate exposure are those who already have some form of respiratory disorder or heart disease, the elderly, and children. Such problems begin to appear when the ambient concentration of pollutants reaches about 40 pg/m for PM25 particulates and about 150 pg/m for PM particulates. Such concentrations are observed during dust storms, along dusty unpaved roads, and in areas with high levels of motor vehicle traffic, for instance. Increasing concentrations of both PM2 5 and PMj particulates result in more serious health problems, including asthma, bronchitis, emphysema, and cardiac problems. 

Although oseltamivir (1, Tamiflu) has risen to be a superstar in the wake of the avian flu, zanamivir (2, Relenza) seems to be underappreciated by the world medical society, possibly because zanamivir (2) is a mouth spray and may cause problems for patients with breathing problems such as asthma. In reahty, zanamivir (2) has a great tolerability, similar to that of placebo, for otherwise healthy adults and higher-risk patients such as the elderly and children. Recommended doses (10 mg twice daily for 5 days) of zanamivir (2) did not adversely affect pulmonary function in patients with respiratory disorders in a well-controlled trial, although there have been reports of bronchospasm and/or decline in respiratory function. 

Although anticholinesterase agents can be used in the treatment of atony of the bladder and adynamic ileus, they are contraindicated in cases of mechanical obstruction of the intestine or urinary tract. Caution should also be used in giving these drugs to a patient with bronchial asthma or other respiratory disorders, since they will further constrict the smooth muscle of the bronchioles and stimulate respiratory secretions. 

For a long time, muscarinic receptor-blocking drugs occupied a major place in the therapy of asthma, but they have been largely displaced by the adrenergic drugs (see Chapter 41). The problems associated with the use of antimuscarinic alkaloids in respiratory disorders are low therapeutic index and impaired expectoration. The... 

Besides corticosteroids, other drugs with various modes of action are being marketed or developed for asthma and other respiratory disorders. 

Allosedamine 157 is a relatively simple piperidine alkaloid which was isolated more than 60 years ago by Wieland and co-workers from Lobelia inflate. It has good activity against respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, and pneumonia. The key step of the current synthesis (Scheme 29) is an RCM of enone ester 155 which closes the... 

Polygala vulgaris Thunb. Triterpenoid saponins, volatile oil, gaultherin, mucilage.99 Treat respiratory disorders such as chronic bronchitis, bronchial asthma, convulsive coughs. A diuretic. 

Chronic exposures chronic exposure symptoms are similar to acute exposures with pulmonary lung function decrements depending on concentrations and duration of exposure. Asthma, allergies, other respiratory disorders have been observed. Breathing disorders, tumorgenic, direct and indirect genetic damage have been found in animal and/or human tissue studies. 

Oral contraception is not considered to be relevant to the induction or aggravation of respiratory disorders, although the fact that a very few women have allergic reactions to these formulations could in theory be relevant to the occurrence of asthma. 

Other Pathologies. Because of their many varied physiologic effects, the eicosanoids are involved in a number of other pathologic conditions. Prostaglandins have been implicated in cardiovascular disorders (hypertension), neoplasms (colon cancer), respiratory dysfunction (asthma), neurologic disorders (multiple... 

Nonselective beta blockers (i.e., those with a fairly equal affinity for beta-1 and beta-2 receptors) may produce bronchoconstriction in patients with asthma and similar respiratory disorders. Cardiovascular side effects include excessive depression of heart rate and myocardial contractility as well as orthostatic hypotension. Some of the traditional beta blockers may impair glucose and lipid metabolism, but this effect can be reduced by using one of the newer vasodilating beta blockers such as carvedilol.97 Other side effects include depression, fatigue, gastrointestinal disturbances, and allergic reactions. Beta blockers are generally well tolerated by most patients, however, and the incidence of side effects is relatively low. 

Respiratory disorders Decreased inflammation Bronchial asthma, berylliosis, aspiration pneumonitis, symptomatic sarcoidosis, pulmonary tuberculosis... 

Euphorbia is used to soothe respiratory disorders such as asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, and laryngeal spasm. It is also used for treating intestinal amebiasis. 

The Chinese utilized ginger for stomachaches, diarrhea, nausea, cholera, bleeding, asthma, heart conditions, respiratory disorders, toothache, and rheumatic complaints. In China, the root and stem... 

Although only a limited number of disorders are discussed in this chapter relative to the large number of disorders that produce or are related to sleep disturbance, it is evident that sleep deprivation secondary to medical disorders is prevalent. Other disorders that are associated with significant sleep disruption and sleep disturbance include cancer, chronic pain, dementia, depression, cystic fibrosis, reflux, cardiovascular disorders, asthma/respiratory disorders, and gastrointestinal disorders. 

Respiratory disorders (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, sleep-related asthma, interstitial lung disease)... 

Sulfur mustards (designated H [mustard], HD [distilled mustard], and HT [HD and T mixture]) do not present acute lethal hazards. Their principal effect is severe blistering of the skin and mucous membranes. Epidemiological evidence indicates a causal relationship between exposure to mustard agent at high concentrations and the development of chronic nonreversible respiratory disorders, such as chronic bronchitis and asthma, and ocular diseases, such as delayed recurrent keratitis and prolonged, intractable conjunctivitis (IOM, 1993). Sulfur mustard has been classified as a known human carcinogen based on evidence of in-... 

Respiratory Disorders. Topically applied P-blockers can induce asthma or dyspnea in patients with preexisting chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Clinicians should inquire about a history of pulmonary disorders before initiating glaucoma treatment with P-blockers. A history of restrictive airway disease also contraindicates the use of opioids for treatment of ocular pain. 

Duvivier D. Votion D, Roberts C et al 1999b Inhalation therapy of equine respiratory disorders. Equine Veterinary Education 11 124-130 Emerman C, Cydulka R, Skobeloff E 1996 Survey of asthma practice among emergency physicians. Chest 109 708-712... 

Lower respiratory disorders are conditions that obstruct or restrict tracheobronchial tubes, preventing exchange of gases. These conditions are called chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), and include bronchitis, chronic bronchitis, bronchiectasis, emphysema, asthma, and chronic asthma. 

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