HSC UNIT 4- Malfunctions

4 malfunctions of the eye?

glaucoma

age related macular degeneration (AMD)

cataracts

retinopathy

Glaucoma- what is it?

A condition where fluid in the aqueous humour is unable to drain properly leading to a pressure build up inside the eyeballs.

This can cause pain.

The pressure pushes on the nerve fibres in the retina causing blurred vision.

If it goes undiagnosed, pressure will damage the optic nerve and sight loss can occur.

Glaucoma- risk factors

Age (drainage channels become less efficient with age)

FAmily history

Ethnicity (higher rates in asian and afro-caribbean)

Diabetes

Glaucoma- treatment

daily eye drops (reduce pressure and stop vision worsening)

regular appointments (monitor condition and check eye drops are working)

laser treatment/surgery (unblocks drainage tubes, reducing pressure)

3 malfunctions of the respiratory system?

asthma

emphysema (COPD- chronic obstructive pulmonary disease)

cystic fibrosis

Asthma- what is it?

a long term (chronic) lung disease which causes airways to narrow and become inflamed

Asthma- symptoms (3)

breathlessness

tightness of chest

asthma ‘attack’ (episodes of wheezing)

Asthma- biological explanation

The bronchi, which carry air in and out of the lungs, become inflamed causing them to be more sensitive.

The airways will become narrower when someone comes into contact with an allergen/trigger.

Increase in the production of sticky mucus

Asthma- risk factors, causes (3)

genetics - often runs in families

exposure to tobacco smoke as a child

being born prematurely or with a low birthweight

Asthma- treatment (3)

inhalers:

• preventer inhaler (brown) used regularly to reduce inflammation

• reliever (blue) - muscle relaxants to immediately relieve symptoms

medication:

• anti-inflammatory medication to reduce swelling

physiotherapy:

• techniques can be learnt to help with breathing

Asthma- impacts and care needs

regular check-ups at asthma clinic

Emphysema (COPD)- what is it

a lung condition which results in lung inflammation and damage to the airways, making it difficult to breathe.

COPD- symptoms (3)

shortness of breath

persistent cough

frequent chest infections

COPD- biological explanation

The airways of the lungs become inflamed and narrowed. It becomes increasingly difficult to breathe out as the alveoli get permanently damaged.

COPD- cause (risk factors)

main cause is smoking (accounts for 90% of cases

exposure to fumes/dust at work

COPD- treatment

MRI and CT scans - provide high resolution, detailed images of the chest . Can be repeated multiple times to monitor condition

Spirometry- this is a test carried out to measure breathing capacity of the lungs. Individual will have a clip placed on their nose and they’ll have to blow into a mouthpiece having inhaled. This is repeated 3 times and the test lasts around 30 - 90 mins

Oxygen therapy - pulmonary rehabilitation is a special programme of exercise and education. Ambulatory oxygen therapy is the use of portable oxygen when walking or carrying out other activity

COPD- care needs

oxygen cylinder to assist with breathing

help getting up stairs, installing bannisters, stairlift etc

use of wheelchair

Cystic fibrosis (CF)- what is it

an inherited, life long condition which causes thick, sticky mucus to build up in the lungs and digestive system.

CF- symptoms

coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath

diarrhoea, diabetes and malnutrition. the body struggles to digest and absorb nutrients

jaundice

CF- biological explanation

Condition is present at birth due to a defect in a gene on chromosome 7 that controls the movement of salt and water in and out of the cells in the body.

The protein thats produced by the gene causes a very sticky type of mucus to be produced rather than the normal runny type.

Lungs will become increasingly damaged and eventually stop working properly as theres no cure

CF-cause

Both parents will have a copy of the faulty, mutated gene

A child will be a carrier of the condition if they inherit just 1 copy of the faulty gene from 1 parent

CF- treatment

Spirometry- this is a test carried out to measure breathing capacity of the lungs. Individual will have a clip placed on their nose and they’ll have to blow into a mouthpiece having inhaled. This is repeated 3 times and the test lasts around 30 - 90 mins

Physiotherapy - involves exercises , manipulation and massage techniques to help restore or improve movement of the body. Massages can improve quality of life through reducing anxiety and improving sleep quality

Medication - antibiotics

CF- care needs

vaccinations to avoid infections

regular check-ups with specialist cf team

dietary supplements

Age related Macular Degeneration (AMD)- what is it?

a common eye disease that damages the centre of the retina (macula), leading to the loss of sharp, straight-ahead vision

AMD- symptoms

blurred central vision

difficulty reading

visual hallucinations

AMD- risk factors

age

smoking

obesity

family history

What are the 2 types of AMD?

1. dry

2. wet

Dry AMD- brief explanation

This is the most common and less serious type of AMD.

It’s where cells in the macula become damaged by a build up of deposits known as drusen.

Vision loss occurs gradually, often over several years

wet AMD- brief explanation

The more serious type which has rapid development.

Abnormal blood vessels form under the macula damaging its cells.

If this is not treated, vision can deteriorate within days.

AMD- treatment

regular scans

injections into the eye (at first these will be monthly)

Laser treatment (photodynamic therapy) to destroy abnormal blood vessels

Cataracts- what is this?

A common eye condition where patches of protein build up on the lens of the eye which becomes cloudy.

Cataracts- sympytoms/effects

blurred vision and difficulty seeing in dim light (light cannot reach the retina)

colours appear faded

a brown/yellow tinge to vision

Cataracts- causes (risk factors)

smoking / excessive alcohol

diabetes (if poorly controlled)

exposure to UV light in sun

Old age

Cataracts- treatment

regular eye examinations

stronger prescription glasses

good reading light to reduce strain

surgery to remove and replace the lens

Diabetic retinopathy- what is this?

A complication of diabetes which impacts the eyes.

High blood sugar levels cause blood vessels to narrow and become weakened over time.

This abnormal blood flow causes damage to cells in the retina.

Diabetic retinopathy- symptoms

Blurry / patchy vision

floaters in field of vision

poor night vision

Diabetic retinopathy- treatment

regular eye exams

laser treatment

injections to stop vessel growth

monitoring of blood pressure

1 malfunction of the ear?

deafness / hearing loss

hearing loss- causes

congenital (born with it)

illness, measles

head injury

ageing

infections- glue ear (temporary)

hearing loss- symptoms

• sounds seem quieter / less distinct

• tinnitus (hearing a ringing / whistling sound)

3 types of hearing loss

1. conductive hearing loss

2. sensorineural hearing loss

3. gradual hearing loss

Brief explanation of conductive hearing loss and its causes

This is where sound waves are unable to pass from the outer ear to the inner ear due to…

• blockage caused by a build up of ear wax / fluid

• a perforated ear drum

• a disorder where the tiny bones ( malleus, incus, stapes) become fused together so are unable to pass sounds to the middle ear

Brief explanation of sensorineural hearing loss and its causes

Results from damage to the hair cells in the inner ear (organ of Corti) or damage to the auditory nerve due to…

• viral infections, measles, mumps, meningitis

• head injury

• exposure to a very loud noise

hearing loss- impacts

misunderstanding people

asking people to repeat themselves

difficulty keeping up with conversations

tiredness

hearing loss- treatment

regular hearing tests to assess and monitor hearing loss

eardrops to soften the wax

ear syringing to remove ear wax

hearing aids

cochlea implant

learning to lip read / sign language