Human Body: Health & Disease †Pneumonia Essay

Pneumonia is a serious infection or inflammation of your lungs. The air sacs in the lungs fill with pus and other liquid. Oxygen has trouble reaching you blood. If there is too little oxygen in your blood, your body cells can’t work properly. Because of this and spreading infection through the body pneumonia can cause death. Until 1936, pneumonia was the No. 1 cause of death in the United States. Since then, the use of antibiotics brought it under control. In 1997, pneumonia and influenza combined ranked as the sixth leading cause of death. Pneumonia affects your lungs in two ways. Lobar pneumonia affects a section (lobe) of a lung. Bronchial pneumonia (or bronchopneumonia) affects patches throughout both lungs. Pneumonia is not a single disease. It can have over 30 different causes. There are five main causes of pneumonia: bacterial, viruses, mycoplasmas, other infectious agents, such as fungi – including pneumocystis and various chemicals. Bacterial pneumonia can attack anyone from infants through the very old. Alcoholics, the debilitated, post-operative patients, people with respiratory diseases or viral infections and people who have weakened immune systems are at greater risk. Pneumonia bacteria are present in some healthy throats. When body defenses are weakened in some way, by illness, old age, malnutrition, general debility or impaired immunity, the bacterial can multiply and cause serious damage. Usually, when a person’s resistance is lowered, bacteria work their way into the lungs and inflame the air sacs. The tissue part of a lobe of the lung, an entire lobe, or even most of the lung’s five lobes becomes completely filled with liquid (this is called â€Å"consolidation†). The infection quickly spreads through the bloodstream and the body is invaded. The streptococcus pneumonia is the most common cause of bacterial pneumonia. It is one form of pneumonia for which a vaccine is available. Symptoms of the onset bacterial pneumonia can vary from gradual to sudden. In the most severe cases, the patient may experience shaking chills, chattering teeth, severe chest pain, and a cough that produces rust-colored or greenish mucus. A person’s temperature may rise as high as 105 degrees F. The patient sweats profusely, breathing and pulse rate increase rapidly. Lips and nail beds may have a bluish color due to lack of oxygen in the blood. A patient’s mental state may be confused or delirious. Viral pneumonia which is half of all pneumonias are believed to be caused by a virus. More and more viruses are being identified as the cause of respiratory infection, and through most attack the upper respiratory tract, some produce pneumonia, especially in children. Most of these pneumonias are not serious and last a short time. Infection with the influenza virus may be severe and occasionally fatal. The virus invades the lungs and multiplies, but there are almost no physical signs of lung tissue becoming filled with fluid. It finds many of its victims among those who have pre-existing heart or lung disease or are pregnant. The initial symptoms of viral pneumonia are the same as influenza symptoms such as fever, a dry cough, headache, muscle pain, and weakness. Within 12 to 36 hours, there is increasing breathlessness; the cough becomes worse and produces a small amount of mucus. There is a high fever and there may be blueness of the lips. In extreme cases, the patient has a desperate need for air and extreme breathlessness. Viral pneumonias may be complicated by an invasion of bacteria, with all the typical symptoms of bacterial pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumonia is caused of somewhat different symptoms and physical signs. Because the course of this illness differ from classical pneumococcal pneumonia. Mycoplasma pneumonia was once believed to be caused by one or more undiscovered viruses and was called â€Å"primary atypical pneumonia.† Identified during World War II, mycoplasmas are the smallest free-living agents of disease in humankind, unclassified as to whether bacterial or viruses, but having characteristic of both. They generally caused a mild and widespread pneumonia. They affected all age groups, occurring most  frequently in older children and young adults. The death rate is low, even in untreated cases. The most prominent symptom of mycoplasma pneumonia is a cough that tends to come in violent attacks, but produces only sparse whitish mucus. Chills and fever are early symptoms, and some patients experience nausea or vomiting. Patients may even experience profound weakness which lasts for a long time. Other kinds of pneumonia are pneumocystis carinii pneumonia (PCP) is caused by an organism believed to be a fungus. PCP is the first sign of illness in many persons with AIDS. PCP can be successfully treated in many cases. It may recur a few months later, but treatment can help to prevent or delay its recurrence. Other less common pneumonias may be quite serious and are occurring more often. Various special pneumonias are caused by the inhalation of food, liquid, gases or dust and by fungi. Foreign bodies or a bronchial obstruction such as a tumor may promote the occurrence of pneumonia, although they are not causes of pneumonia. Rickettsia (also considered an organism somewhere between viruses and bacteria) caused Rocky Mountain spotted fever, Q fever, typhus and psittacosis, diseases that may have mild or severe effects on the lungs. Tuberculosis pneumonia is a very serious lung infection and extremely dangerous unless treated early. Treating pneumonia if you develop pneumonia, your chances of a fast recovery are greatest under certain conditions: if you’re young, if your pneumonia is caught early, if your defenses against disease are working well, if the infection hasn’t spread, and if you’re not suffering from other illnesses. In the young and healthy, early treatment with antibiotics can cur bacterial pneumonia, speed recovery from mycoplasma pneumonia, and a certain percentage of rickettsia cases. There is not yet a general treatment for viral pneumonia, although antiviral drugs are used for certain kinds. Most people can be treated at home. The drugs used to fight pneumonia are determined by the germ causing the pneumonia and the judgment of the doctor. After a patient’s temperature returns to normal, medication must be  continued according to the doctor’s instructions, otherwise the pneumonia may recur. Relapses can be far more serious than the first attack. Besides antibiotics, patients are given supportive treatment such as: proper diet and oxygen to increase oxygen in the blood when needed. In some patients, medication to ease chest pain and to provide relief from violent cough may be necessary. The vigorous young person may lead a normal life within a week of recovery from pneumonia. For the middle-aged, however, weeks may elapse before they regain their accustomed strength, vigor, and feeling of well-being. A person recovering from mycoplasma pneumonia may be weak for an extended period of time. In general, a person should not be discouraged from returning to work or carrying out usual activities but must be warned to expect some difficulties. Adequate rest is important to maintain progress toward a full recovery and to avoid relapse. Remember, don’t rush recovery! Preventing pneumonia is possible, because pneumonia is a common complication of influenza (flu), getting a flu shot every fall is good pneumonia prevention. Vaccine is also available to help fight pneumococcal pneumonia, one type of bacterial pneumonia. Your doctor can help you decide if you, or a member of your family, needs the vaccine against pneumococcal pneumonia. It is usually given only to people at high risk of getting this disease and its life-threatening complications. The greatest risk of pneumococcal pneumonia is usually among people who have chronic illnesses such as lung disease, heart disease, kidney disorders, sickle cell anemia, or diabetes. Are recovering from severe illness, are in nursing homes or other chronic care facilities, and are age 65 or older. If you are at risk, ask your doctor for the vaccine. The vaccine is generally given only once. Ask your doctor about any revaccination recommendations. The vaccine is not recommended for pregnant women or children under age two. Since pneumonia often follows ordinary respiratory infections, the most important preventive measure is to be alert to any symptoms of respiratory trouble that linger on more than a few days. Good health habits, proper diet and hygiene, rest, regular exercise, etc., increase resistance to all respiratory illnesses. They also help promote fast recovery when illness does occur. In my conclusion, if you think you have symptoms of pneumonia, call your doctor immediately. Even with the many effective antibiotics, early diagnosis and treatment are important. Follow your doctor’s advice. In serious cases, your doctor may advise a hospital stay. Or recovery at home may be possible. Continue to take the medicine your doctor prescribes until told you may stop. This will help prevent recurrence of pneumonia and relapse. Don’t wait, get treatment early!!! Support organizations to get help is: American Lung Association; contact number 1-800-LUNG-USA (1-800-586-4872) to speak with a lung professional or email address: info@lung.org The American Lung Association provides programs of education, community service, and advocacy. Some of the topics available include asthma, tobacco control, emphysema, infectious disease, asbestos, carbon monoxide, radon, and ozone. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC); contact number 1-800-CDC-INFO (1-800-232-4636); email address: cdcinfo@cdc.gov or web address: www.cdc.gov. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) is an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. The CDC works with state and local health officials and the public to achieve better health for all people. The CDC creates the expertise, information, and tools that people and communities need to protect their health – by promoting health, preventing disease, injury and disability, and being prepared for new health threats. Works Cited Web MD – Better Information. Better Health. Pneumonia. 6 March 2013. Web. 5 June 2014. Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research. Mayo Clinic Staff. Pneumonia. 21 May 2013. Web. 5 June 2014. Healthline Networks. Health Reference Library. Pneumonia written by Bree Normandin. 7 August 2012. Web. 5 June 2014

zora neal hurston essays

zora neal hurston essays In her 1928 essay, How It Feels to be Colored Me, Zora Neale Hurston meticulously understates the hardships of being black. Among many occupations held by Hurston, she was that of an anthropologist who studied the origin, behavior, social, and cultural development of humans. Hurston was not justifying the stereotypes of being Colored. Throughout How It Feels to be Colored Me she provides opportunities to use being Black as a method of empowerment as opposed to an aspect of tragedy. Hurston illustrates how she used whites for entertainment just as they did her; she points out the power and beauty of womanhood outside of race, and later states the controversial theory that slavery was the price paid for civilization. During a time when Blacks would hardly approach white people, Hurston found it most amusing to not only entertain them but to be a recipient as well. Hurston was immerged in a Negro community so white tourists were quickly noticed when traveling. Rather than cautiously watching them from a distance, as the majority did, Hurston delighted herself in being the head of the welcoming committee. She would wave, salute, sing and dance around on her front porch, which she refers to as her gallery seat, until she engaged the tourist in play. She found them intriguing, and her performances intrigued them. They were intrigued in several ways to the less than thirteen year old. These white tourists enjoyed, even rewarded Hurston for her joyful tendencies. While the Negro community condemned her for her outgoing antics, white tourists would give her silver for her performance. The white tourists may have used Hurston for their entertainment. To watch a young, vibrant, outgoing Black c hild prance around, singing, dancing, and surveying them could tend to be amusing. In retrospect, Hurston must have felt quite excited holding the center of the national stage, with s...

Historical character Essay Example

Historical character Essay Example Historical character Essay Historical character Essay Arthur Miller was a playwright who dealt with many issues and themes. His play The Crucible involves a comparison with McCarthyism in the form of the Salem Witch Trials. McCarthyism came about when a politician named Joseph McCarthy tried to cover up his views of an anticommunist policy by using scapegoats. In this play, a girl named Abigail accused almost the whole town of witchcraft. This happened because in her own cunning way she turned the accusation against her, which was created when some girls in the town become ill while conjuring spirits, and used a scapegoat to avoid being hanged. Abigail was the leading figure in both Millers play and real life. Her role in the community was the niece of the village reverend. She appears to be deep and dark minded but intelligent girl who with her age has the power of innocence. Abigail is the leader of this movement as the public hung on to her every word and believed everything she and the rest of the girls say. She knows that she has power and is not afraid of using it to satisfy her needs. The rest of the towns-people see her as a saviour coming from the Devil to rid the world of the witches. The girls and Abigail, however, know that it is just a trick to avoid punishment. As Abigail was the ringleader of the group, she is the first one to use a scapegoat in the form of Tituba. We first see this when Abigail is blamed for the dancing yet quickly turns the blame to Tituba, another servant. When Tituba enters the room Abigail is quick to notice that she could use her as a scapegoat. The fact that Tituba is a black slave from Barbados makes her an easy target, as the people in the room at the time will not believe her innocence over Abigails. This is because they were a racist society. For this, she was easily believed to be under the power of the devil. The reasons for starting all this was cold hearted revenge. The purpose for this might have came from her earlier childhood. She says I will come to you in the black of some terrible night And you know I can do it: I saw Indians smash my dear parents heads on the pillow next to mine, and I have seen some reddish work done at night. Her violent and traumatising past may contribute to her actions that took place and her attitude towards using life to get her way.

Sovereign Funds Investment in Qatar and Dubai Term Paper

Sovereign Funds Investment in Qatar and Dubai - Term Paper Example Due to SWFs importance gained in the recent times many researches are being conducted in order to deal with the concerns and problems identified in its current position and in the expected growth that is to occur in future. Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs) and Investment: Sovereign funds investment is a government owned and controlled investment fund. Such an investment fund is called Sovereign Wealth fund (SWFs). There is no one accepted definition of SWFs; however these funds are usually funded by fiscal (government) surpluses or foreign exchange reserves. The sources of foreign exchange reserves could be profit and surpluses from exports of commodities and other means like investment in international markets. Government is involved in various revenues generation activities, the revenue obtained can be invested within the country or sometimes it is invested in foreign countries. The investment of these funds is put up in foreign financial assets like stocks and bonds of different inte rnational companies. (Truman, Edwin.M. 2010) Establishment of Sovereign Wealth Funds in Qatar and Dubai: About 60% of the SWFs were formed after 2004 when the oil and gas sector faced a sudden boom and the countries involved in exports of these commodities piled up large reserves of foreign exchange. ... Qatar’s SWF is known as ‘Qatar Investment Authority’, established in 2005; while Dubai’s SWF is called â€Å"Investment Corporation of Dubai†, established in 2006. The total funds of Qatar Investment Authority and Investment Corporation of Dubai are 70 and 82 billion dollars respectively in 2009-2010. (Truman, Edwin.M. 2010) Structure of Sovereign Wealth Funds in Qatar and Dubai: The Persian Gulf countries dominate global SWFs. UAE, Saudi Arabia, Kuwait, and Qatar combined accounts for more than half of the world’s assets. Researches show that regardless of countries have a current account deficit or surplus, SWFs are generally associated with countries involved in exports of oil, gas and natural resources and have piled up large foreign exchanges due to these exports. Qatar and Dubai invest most of its foreign exchange reserves directly in SWFs international assets and therefore do not have large reported foreign exchange reserves. These coun tries buy dollars and invest in SWFs internationally rather letting their exchange rate appreciates. Oil sales being dollar- denominated has made it easier for the gulf countries. This leads to drop in the value of dollar due to excessive dollars in the market which results in preserving the value of SWFs when expressed in local currency terms. In 2008 UAE reported US$ 751 billion in its SWF international assets and only US$ 32 billion as foreign exchange reserve while Qatar showed US$ 70 billion in its SWF international assets and only US$ 10 billion as foreign exchange reserve which showed their positions relatively low on foreign exchange to GDP ratio in comparison with countries which reports large amount of

Radioisotopes in Medicine Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1250 words

Radioisotopes in Medicine - Essay Example There are neutrons found in the nucleus. These are the neutrons which give an element a radioactive status. Unlike the protons, these neutrons are found in the different number of different at atoms of the same element and based on this difference in the number of neutrons the isotope status is acquired by an element. The sum of protons and neutrons in an atom is called its atomic mass. So atomic number of all atoms of an element is the same but atomic mass could be different (Medical isotopes). There are some elements which decay and are converted to isotopes that posses the properties of unstable isotopes; examples are uranium and thorium. The same isotopes can be generated artificially when it does not exist naturally in some elements. This is achieved by a combination of protons and neutrons. These radioisotopes can be obtained through a variety of ways but the most frequent way of producing radioisotopes is by neutron activation in a nuclear reactor. There are two major outcomes which give radioisotope status to an element, either by gaining a neutron and making an atom neutron rich or by gaining a proton and resulting in proton rich atom. The unstable state of a radioisotope is converted to stable one by the emission of alpha or beta particle with some energy release in the form of gamma rays. In fact, this is radioactive decay of that atom. In medicine, these radioactive products are termed as radiopharmaceuticals (Medical isotopes).   Around the first decade of the last century there had been some initial, discussions on the issues of radioactivity and radioisotopes like thorium and ionium. Most of the radioisotopes which are in more frequent use today were discovered during the third decade of the last century. Radioactive isotopes like, iodine-131, cobalt-60, technetium-99m and others were discovered during a short period of three years (1938-1941) (Radioisotopes for diagnosis and treatment).   Till mid-seventies of the last century there was not much development in the field when some newly discovered radioisotopes along with technetium-99m revolutionized the field of nuclear medicine when technetium-generator made it practical to convert inactive pharmaceuticals to be labelled on the hospital premises (Radioisotopes in medicin). In 1980s, gamma cameras performance was improved through computer integration which helped in enhancing the processes and eventually the quantification of the radioactivity emitted. (Radioisotopes in medicin). Around the last decade of the last century the image quality as well as details were made improved with the help of single photon emission computer tomography (SPECT) systems. Radioisotopes utilization in Medicine   Radioisotopes have been utilized in medicine very extensively for preventive, diagnostic, therapeutic and prognostic purposes.

Desert Exile Essay Example | Topics and Well Written Essays - 1000 words

Desert Exile - Essay Example She describes the hard life of the Japanese Americans during the Depression and after they were forced to live in the internment camp The author’s father came to the United States in 1906, and her mother came later to marry him. Belonging to a fairly well-off family, Uchida did not experience the hardships her friends did during the Depression .She describes her angst during her childhood and her mother’s sensitivity and her father’s kindness and hospitality. The book throws light on some of the customs and ways of life of the first generation Japanese Americans. Although the book is well written and is full of insights, Yoshiko Uchida who belongs to the community of Japanese Americans herself, does not seem to give a balanced view of the experiences of her community .According to a critic, Uchida â€Å"is too close to her subjects and does not have enough critical distance to give a balanced and accurate account of the internment and experience of Japanese Amer icans in the years before the internment.† Writing about the deluge of Japanese visitors they had when she was a child, Uchida writes, â€Å"I felt as though our house was the unofficial alumni headquarters of Doshisha, and I one of its most reluctant members.†(Uchida p. 11) As the author was but a young child at the time, the number of visitors must have seemed enormous to her. In chapter 2, the author speaks about her insecurities which continued into her adult life. According to her, the insecurity was probably caused by the feeling of being different. â€Å"Perhaps it was the constant sense of not being as good as the hakujin(white people)† (Uchida 27) She concedes that although they spoke Japanese at home and observed Japanese customs, her family was more liberal than many of the other Japanese families. â€Å"As a result, our upbringing was less strict than that of some of my Nesei

Identify the Individual at Risk of Skin Breakdown and Undertake the Appropriate Risk Assessment Essay Example for Free

Identify the Individual at Risk of Skin Breakdown and Undertake the Appropriate Risk Assessment Essay Upon arriving at the care home, I shut the door behind me, clocked in using my time card and signed the staff log book which is a requirement of the fire safety policy. Prior to starting my shift, I attended the hand over held in the staff office with closed doors to maintain confidentiality and privacy of the residents. The hand over gives me important changes in the residents health and social care needs, requirements and procedures that need implementing during the shift. One of the residents I usually care for is Mrs H who has just come back from a hospital admission. According to her care plan Mrs H was diagnosed with Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus and Chronic Kidney Disease Stage 4 which are predisposing factors for pressure sores. She is bed bound, cannot weight bear and had just undergone Open Reduction and Internal Fixation (ORIF) for fracture on her left tibia fibula which left her immobilised. She is also incontinent of urine and faeces which are all predisposing factors to sore development. As one of her primary carer, I was assigned to carry out a risk assessment for skin breakdown with the use of the Waterlow Scale. I knocked on Mrs Hs room before entering as a sign of respect for her privacy and greeted her good morning. I asked how she is and she smiled which means she is fine as she has difficulty speaking. I asked her if she would like to have her bed bath and she said yes please. I informed her that I also need to carry out a risk assessment for skin breakdown to identify if she is at risk of developing a pressure sore. I explained the procedures that she will expect, the reasons behind these and I asked for her permission to carry on. She obliged by softly saying ok in a very low voice. Before starting the assessment, I gathered all the things that I need. I observed standard precautions for infection control by washing my hands with soap and water and drying them with disposable paper towels. I wore a disposable plastic apron and donned a pair of disposable gloves to prevent the spread and transfer of infection from one person to another. With the help of my colleague, I gently and carefully took off Mrs Hs night dress informing her every step that I make to make her aware and to encourage her cooperation. I kept it in yellow laundry bag as per organisational policy on infection control and prevention. I covered her body with bath towels to maintain her privacy and keep her warm. I washed her face and body with the use of disposable Mediwipes with soap and warm water. I dried her up using the towel to keep her from freezing. I took off her nappy pad and washed her private front part properly and dried her afterwards. Then I informed Mrs H that I need to turn her on her side so that I can wash and examine her back. With coordinated movements from my colleague, we gently and carefully turned her on her side, taking special care not to put any undue pressure on her bad leg to prevent any further injury. I examined her back side taking note of pressure points or bony prominences on her shoulders, sacrum, elbows, ankles and heels. Her skin on her shoulders, spine, elbows and heels look fine but there is a redness on her sacral area which feels hotter than other areas of her skin. I asked Mrs H if she feels any pain in her bottom and she said yes in a very low voice. On her left heel is an abrasion which she developed while she was in the hospital. I washed her back and her bottom gently and dried them up properly as excess moisture can aggravate her skin condition. I put her soiled nappy pad in a plastic bag to be disposed of in the clinical waste bag. I applied aqueous creme on her skin especially on bony prominences to prevent drying. I applied sudocrem on her sacral area to soothe and to protect and help heal her skin. I put on a clean nappy pad on her, put on clean clothes and positioned her on her right side to relieve the pressure on her sacral area, using cushions to make her comfortable. The nurse-in-charge came inside the room to check on her left heel wound and I asked her how to clean it and what dressing should I use for it. She said I can clean it with sterile water and sterile gauze, dry it up and apply Versiva dressing for protection as advised by the tissue viability nurse. I disposed of my gloves and donned on a clean pair. I washed Mrs H wound on her heel with sterile water and sterile gauze, dried it up and applied Versiva dressing. I put on a pressure relief cushion on her left foot to relieve pressure, kept it supported and in a comfortable position. I thanked Mrs H for her cooperation during the procedure. I informed her about the condition of her skin and reassured her that it is well taken care of. I disposed of my apron, gloves and soiled dressings in the plastic bag, tied it and disposed it in a clinical waste bag. I washed my hands with soap and water again and dried it up to prevent the spread of infection.