Inhalation, Dermal, and Repro, Case Study Example

The article by Hacken, Postma, & Timens addresses the significance of asthma and its relationship to airway obstruction. It is believed that asthma is largely fueled by complications associated with airway inflammation and subsequent reduced lung function and a significant loss of expiratory volume in some patients (Hacken et.al 9). It is believed that interleukin-13 plays a role in this process, in addition to influences such as degranulated mast cells in smooth muscle and other considerations (Hacken et.al 9). Therefore, it is important to identify these differences and to examine their role in asthma-related exacerbations that impact their health and wellbeing. The article considers the impact of different risk factors and how they impact patients with asthma, including what drives the condition and its level of severity in some subjects (Hacken et.al 9). This reflects the importance of understanding the dynamics of asthma and how it progresses from childhood to adulthood for those who are affected in different ways (Hacken et.al 9).

Question: What are the primary factors that exacerbate asthma in children and adults, and what are the primary contributors to long term airway damage and function?

Answer: Different types of airway inflammation contribute to asthma-related symptoms and reduced lung function. Factors such as interleukin-13 and degranulated mast cells in smooth muscle also contribute to this condition.

This article addresses the significance of a tropical disease known as Podoconiosis, which is best characterized by a patient’s exposure to red-clay soil as a result of alkalic volcanic rock (Davey 888). This disease, also known as endemic non-filarial elephantiasis, affects many residents of tropical Africa across ten nations, northern India, and Central America, all of whom experience high amounts of rainfall, low incomes, and high altitude, particularly when residents do not routinely wear socks and shoes on their feet (Davey 888). In some parts of Ethiopia, this infection is more common than HIV and affects up to one million people throughout the country (Davey 888). It is believed that many patients begin to show signs between the ages of 10 and 30, although the disease may be diagnosed even earlier (Davey 888). It is believed that this disease has some genetic significance, as genetic vulnerability appears to be inherited in some families (Davey 888). The condition affects the areas below the knee and causes severe edema and subsequent elephantiasis (Davey 888). However, the disease is not caused by filaraisis as is often associated with elephantiasis (Davey 888).

Question: What is the significance of footwear in the risk of contracting podoconiosis, and under which conditions is the disease most commonly discovered?

Answer: Footwear serves as a preventative measure for this group because it provides a layer of protection from exposure to soil that carries the bacteria. The disease is typically identified through severe edema below the knee and what resembles elephantiasis.

An article by Dorairajan addresses the importance of formaldehyde and its impact on human health, including during pregnancy, particularly when exposure levels are very high. It is believed that for pregnant women who are exposed to formaldehyde at high levels, there is a nephrotoxic effect on the fetus that contributes to kidney dysfunction and damage (Dorairajan 1256). These conditions reflect the importance of understanding the impact of formaldehyde in highly concentrated levels and its influence on the development of urinary ascites, urinomas, and nephrotoxicity in the fetus (Dorairajan 1257). Urinary ascites evolve as a preventative mechanism to protect the kidneys from damage, but prevention of this condition to begin with is of critical importance by preventing exposure to formaldehyde in high levels at all times during the pregnancy stage to prevent defects and other serious complications (Dorairajan 1257).

Question: What are the most significant complications of formaldehyde exposure during pregnancy and how does the fetus respond to these events?

Answer: Formaldehyde exposure during pregnancy may contribute to fetal complications such as kidney damage due to nephrotoxicity. As a result, the fetus forms urinary ascites to protect the kidneys from damage as much as possible.

Works Cited

Davey, Gail. “Podoconiosis: the most neglected tropical disease?” The Lancet 369(2007): 888-889.

Dorairajan, Gowri. “Formalin: nephrotoxic teratogen?” Journal of Obstetrics and Gynecology Research36.6(2010): 1256-1260.

Hacken, Nick H.T. Ten, Postma, Dirkje S., & Timens, Wim. “Airway remodeling and long-term decline in lung function in asthma.” Current Opinion in Pulmonary Medicine 9.1(2003):                       9-14.