Question

3. What self-imposed and environmentally imposed risks to younger adults can contribute to the development of respiratory conditions in later life?

Answer 1

3. What self-imposed and environmentally imposed risks to younger adults can contribute to the development of respiratory conditions in later life?

There are a number of factors that can occur early in an individual life that could lead to lung problems later in life. These include not breast feeding, weight gain, mother’s use of paracetomol during pregnancy, complications during childbirth and indoor and outdoor air quality.

Environmental risk factors on Respiratory diseases

OZONE

Ozone can cause the muscles in the airways to constrict, trapping air in the alveoli. This results in wheezing and shortness of breath. It can cause the muscles in the airways to constrict, trapping air in the alveoli.

NITROGEN DIOXIDE

NO2 obtains from automobile exhaust and by the burning of fossil fuels. Inhalation of NO2 causes lung inflammation, reduces ascorbic and uric acid and increases glutathione, with no significant changes in lung function

PARTICULATE MATTER

Particulate matter is the sum of all solid and liquid particles suspended in air, such as dust, pollen, soot, smoke, and liquid droplets. Exposure to such particles can affect variety of problems, including decreased lung function, increased respiratory symptoms, such as irritation of the airways, coughing or difficulty breathing.

SULPHUR DIOXIDE

Sulphur dioxide derives from fuel combustion industries and vehicle traffic. SO2 irritates the skin and mucous membranes of the eyes, nose, throat, and lungs. High concentrations of sulphur dioxide can cause inflammation and irritation of the respiratory system, especially during heavy physical activity.

FORMALDEHYDE

Formaldehyde can cause irritation of the eyes, nose, and throat. Longer exposure can cause coughing or choking. Severe exposure can cause chemical burns to the lungs.

Indoor air pollution

Indoor air pollution is the term used to describe exposure to certain substances found in homes, schools, transport and subway stations. Over 900 different compounds have been detected in indoor air

Outdoor air pollution

The term “air pollution” refers to harmful particles suspended in the air, or gases in the atmosphere, that can be breathed in. It is a mixture including particles, ozone, nitrogen oxides, volatile organic compounds and carbon monoxide. The mixture is different depending on location, season and sources of pollution in the area.and some pollutants may be 2-5 times more concentrated inside rather than outside buildings.

Occupational risk factors

‘Occupational risk factors’ is a term used to describe the harmful effects of breathing in various particles, gases, fumes or smoke in the workplace. These different factors are often referred to as ‘agents’.

Passive smoking

Passive smoking, also known as second-hand smoke or environmental tobacco smoke, is when a person breathes in toxic fumes that have remained in the air or surrounding objects after a cigarette has been smoked. It also refers to exposure of unborn babies to their mother’s smoke.

Some of the self-imposed risk factors of respiratory diseases are listed here.

Tobacco smoking

Tobacco smoking is an important cause of chronic respiratory symptoms. It causes chronic cough and breathlessness, asthma and predisposes to frequent respiratory infections. Prolonged consumption of tobacco is associated with chronic obstructive lung disease and several forms of respiratory cancers. Tobacco smoke contains more than 4,000 chemicals, many of which can cause cancer.

Atmospheric pollution

The atmosphere in which we live is influenced by the changes in our way of living. One such example is the excessive vehicular emissions which pollute the atmosphere. There is a tremendous increase in the number of vehicles plying on the roads.

Sick Building Syndrome – The menace of modern housing

The multi-storeyed housing with a number of flats crowded together is possibly a need of the modern times but certainly it affects the human health. The inside air is generally polluted due to the closed surroundings.

Physical inactivity

There is a great increase in sedentary habits among both the youth and the children. The marked increase in television programmes, video games and computer use has resulted in indoor confinement of people who should otherwise be out in the playgrounds and parks. Also, there is an excessive dependence on vehicles for transportation from place to place. Physical inactivity is the cause of the poor development of the respiratory reserve. It results in breathlessness, respiratory deconditioning and chronic respiratory debility.

Obesity

Excessive eating especially of the fatty and junk foods is directly responsible for obesity. Obesity results in a significant increase in the load on the cardio-respiratory system. Breathlessness is the most common symptom. It is also a cause of excessive snoring due to transitory occlusion of the upper respiratory tract. It may result in short episodes of choking and cessation of breathing during sleep.

DIET AND NUTRITION

There is increasing evidence that diet and nutrition play a role in the development and progress of lung diseases. Being either obese or underweight can both have harmful consequences for lung health.

Genetic susceptibility

Some people may have an increased likelihood of developing a lung disease because of the genes they inherited from their parents.