Introduction
This case describes an anamnesis of a patient with a respiratory illness. A woman has suffered from the disease for seven years. The exacerbation of respiratory symptoms occurs several times a year. However, it does not depend on the season. She stated that her co-workers faced the same problem. Also, she highlighted that other people got such symptoms less often. The main goal of this paper is to analyze the causes of the disease and assess the patient’s risk.
Environmental Health
The information pertinent to discuss the case includes details regarding age, profession, work experience, the frequency of the exacerbation of respiratory symptoms, and a long history of the illness. The facts that she does not smoke and that symptoms occur regardless of the time of year are also relevant for a thorough analysis. Also, the patient mentioned that she lives in a brand-new house. Hence, her place of residence cannot cause the disease as the first case of aggravation took place several years ago. Finally, the patient provided details of her current workplace. She mentioned that she works in an old building. All this information is necessary for further discussion.
To assess the client’s risks, it is necessary to underline some facts from the anamnesis. First, the patient is 55 years old. Old age is one of the prominent factors that increase the risk of any disease, including respiratory disorders. Also, research revealed a high mortality level among older persons that led a sedentary life (de Rezende, Rey-López, Matsudo, & do Carmo, 2014). This woman is an executive assistant. Her work implies a sedentary behavior.
Also, she mentioned that her colleagues have the same problem. Respiratory infections are transmitted through airborne droplets. Hence, an infestation develops faster in enclosed spaces. Another important factor is the long history of the symptoms. According to Heron (2013), one of the leading causes of death is chronic respiratory diseases. Therefore, the patient is at a particular risk of developing serious complications.
One significant detail provides a clue on a possible exposure pathway for the patient. Her current work is located in the old building. According to Upadhyay, Singh, Kumar, and Singh (2015), respiratory illnesses are often caused by exposure to allergens within buildings with insufficient ventilation. She mentioned that the building is 100 years old. Hence, it is logical to assume that the ventilation system is in poor condition and requires renovation.
Also, the fact that other people who work in the same building suffer similar symptoms leads to such a conclusion. Indoor air pollution can seriously impair health. Allergenic particulates include fragments of insects, plants, house dust, and other components. Also, indoor air contains an enormous number of bacteria. Poor ventilation and overcrowding increase the concentration of infectious agents (Upadhyay et al., 2015). Therefore, it leads to creating an unhealthy working environment.
Conclusion
In conclusion, the described case reveals the most prominent factors that contribute to the development of respiratory diseases. The patient admitted that the symptoms took place spontaneously during the last seven years. The fact that her disease developed after two years of working in the 100-year-old building might be explained as infectious organisms affect health gradually, depending on an individual immune system.
Hence, it could take a certain time before symptoms occur. In such a case, it is strongly recommended to change the workplace or obligate managers to ensure a healthy working environment. Also, it is necessary to lead a lifestyle that includes physical exercises every day.
References
de Rezende, L. F. M., Rey-López, J. P., Matsudo, V. K. R., & do Carmo Luiz, O. (2014). Sedentary behavior and health outcomes among older adults: A systematic review. BMC Public Health, 14(1), 333.
Heron, M. P. (2013). Deaths: Leading causes for 2010. Web.
Upadhyay, A. K., Singh, A., Kumar, K., & Singh, A. (2015). Impact of indoor air pollution from the use of solid fuels on the incidence of life threatening respiratory illnesses in children in India. BMC Public Health, 15(1), 300.