Monday, May 21, 2007

BYSSINOSIS

BYSSINOSIS

Derived from Greek—Flax

Clinical Symptoms:

Tightness of the chest Cough
Asthmatic wheezing
Fever
Also called as Monday fever or Monday sickness Since after a day breaks the person’s feel reappearance of symptoms.

Pathology :
Mechanism of bronchial reaction is not uniformed in all patients
Initially it produces Broncho spasm,
Oedema of respiratory mucosa Lung muscles (i.e) Smooth muscles & Mucous glands of central airway are hypertrophied.
It has both features of Chronic bronchitis & Emphysema.

GRADES :
  • Grade 0 – Symptom less on Monday
  • Grade ½ – Occasional chest tightness on the 1st working day of the week or mild symptoms such as irritation of the respiratory tract.
  • Grade 1 – Chest tightness or Breathlessness on the 1st day of the working week only.
  • Grade 2 – Chest tightness or Breathlessness on the 1st day & other days.
  • Grade 3 – Chest tightness or Breathlessness accompanied by permanent respiratory incapacity from reduced ventillatory capacity
TREATMENT: Same as COPD No special tretment is for THIS

HAZARDS IN MEAT CUTTING INDUSTRY

HAZARDS IN MEAT CUTTING INDUSTRY

The Hazards are grouped as follows
1) Back injuries
2) Cumulative trauma disorders
3) Falls
4) Infectious diseases.
5) Knife cuts
6) Toxic substances

Back Injuries

Repeated bending activities roots to back injuries
Heavy carrying luggage’s on the back
Lower cutting table causes more stress to low back
Prolonged standing also cause stress to back

Cumulative trauma disorders

Tendonitis – Inflammation of tendon sheath due to repeated activities
Carpal tunnel syndrome – Repeated Movement of wrist cause compression at the nerve and other structures around the wrist results in Pain , Numbness, Paresthesia.
Prolonged condition leads to motor loss and sensory loss.

Falls :

Represent greater source of serious illness Causes of Falls are
 Animal fat accumulate on the floor
 Blood
 Floor surface tend to wet
 Leaking Pipe
 Nature of work,
 Poor drainage &
 Slippers

Infectious disease:

Brucellosis, Erysipeloid, Leptospirosis, Dermatophytoses & Warts.

Brucellosis:
It is a Bacterial infection Transmitted by handling cattle
Signs
1. Head ache
2. Joint Pain
3. Loss of appetite
4. Night sweat
5. Running fever
6. Weakness

Erysipeloid :

It is a Bacterial Infection Spread through animals
Signs
1. Redness
2. Irritation

Leptospirosis :

It is a Bacterial Infection Spread through Direct contact with Infected Animal, water, Soil
Signs
1. Muscle ache
2. Chills
3. Eye irritation
4. Fever
5. Kidney/ Liver damage
6. Vomit

Dermatophytoses

Also known as Ring worm It is a Fungal Infection
Transmitted by contact with hair & skin of infected person
Sings
1. Hair fall
2. Small yellowish cup like crest to develop in scalp

Verruca Vulgaris:

It is a Viral Infection Transmitted by use of Towel, Meat, Fish Knife and Work tables

KNIFE CUTS

It is the major cause of Cuts and Abrasions to the Hands and Torso.
Workers have also been cut by other worker as they remove their knife from a slab of meat (Neighbor Cuts) Occur in over crowding working conditions.

TOXIC SUBSTANCES :

Workers exposed to Ammonia Ammonia used in refrigerators which leaks result in irritation in skin & Mucous membrane
Ammonia gas also irritate to Eyes, Head ache, Salivation, nausea, Perspiration, Vomiting, & even deaths.
It also aggravates Cardiac problems and Respiratory problems.


PREVENTIVE METHODS

Sharp knife prevent Musculo skeletal injuries, since sharp blades reduce grip force & cutting time
 Cut away from not towards—cutting stand to the side of the cut to keep blade away
 Replace or Tighten the Hand grips of Knives.
 Use correct Knife
 Use cutting board for chopping
 Use food pusher in advanced machines, not Fingers
 Use stabilizing tools don’t use finger since it may cause cut
 Wear appropriate gloves

FIBROMYALGIA

FIBROMYALGIA

It is a disorder causes Muscle Pain & Fatigue
Fibromyalgia subjects have “Tender points” in their body

SYMPTOMS

Pain through out the body
Especially Shoulder, Buttock, Neck, Low back
Sleep Disorder
Morning Stiffness
Head ache
Painful Menstrual cycles
Tingling or Numbness in Hand & Feet
Problem in Thinking & Memory ( Fibro Fog)

CAUSES:

Stressful traumatic events
Repetitive injuries
Illness
Certain diseases

PREDISPOSING FACTORS:

Rheumatoid Arthritis
SLEAnkylosing spondylitis
Stress
Weather

TREATMENT

Medications ( Analgesics, NSAID, Antidepressant)
Sleep
Diet
Massage
Exercises
Work environment Modification


SELF CARE:

Reduce stress
Well Sleep
Exercise
DIET
Massage

REDUCE STRESS:

Avoid situation that cause Stress
Take time to relax
Breathing Exercise
Guided Imagery
Meditation
Yoga

SOUND SLEEP

Go to bed early
Avoid caffeine
Good mattress
Say no to alcoholic

EXERCISES:

Stretches
Low intensity Aerobics
Walking, Swimming
Bicycle
Calisthenics
Tai Chi

DIET

Avoid Caffeine
Avoid Alcohol
Proper Vitamin
Balanced Diet
Quit Smoking


Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Effect of OCCUPATIONAL INJURY

Spinal problems: One of the commonest areas which get problem due to Lifting activities, prolonged standing, lengthened walking and frequent stair climbing. The common problem area is at the Neck and Back. Low back pain is more prevalent in physiotherapist. It is about 48 % of the physiotherapy population. ( Mary .w. kelly. 2005). 
Neck pain is also one of the common problems encountered by physiotherapists, It occurs due to prolong bending of the neck during treatment or during computer operation for discharge summary or documentation. About 33% of individuals are suffering with Neck pain
Hand & Fingers: Hand and fingers are the other common area which gets involved following physiotherapeutic treatment. Finger strain occurs as a result of massage application for a long duration or Quite a lot of patients. Thumb strain occurs as a result of the application of manual therapy techniques for a long time. Approximately 23% affected following thumb injury. Wrist problems occur as a result of application of massage technique or by administration of Chest physical therapy techniques (Clapping). 
Large Joints: Weight bearing or large joints go for degenerative changes following prolong occupational hazard. Standing for a long duration causes abnormal loading in joint tends to cause damage to the articular surface (Structure present in the bony ends) which results in degeneration. PREVENTIVE MEASURES: Variety of measure taken to prevent occupational Hazards in Physiotherapy practice. There are certain things therapist can do to combat their risk of injury. Simple steps done before and during tasks can help the body counter strains that come with the occupation. 
Stretching : Warming up prior to the activity makes general body conditioning and prevent fatigue and muscle strains. 
Correct Posture and Positions: Performing each Task in correct posture and position prevent excessive stress in the joints. Frequent break between the work. Outsourcing : Obtain assistance from another individuals to reduce load during task like transferring patient or working with heavy patients. 
Modify : Modifying techniques or environment to avoid stress put on the therapist body prevent injury. Make adjustment to posture by modifying Bed height, Pause to stretch and frequent change in positions. Avoid bending activities which cause Low back pain. 
Reactive : Respond to discomfort or injury. If use of thumb mobilization cause pain then change to Knobbler (A hand held plastic equipment use to treat) which replace role of thumb, Choose an Electro modality to treatment for replacing manual therapy techniques. Reducing the working hours till the wound gets healed. 
Use of Aids : Use belts for transfer as well as treatment. Use stool to obtain any equipment from the upper berth. Use Mask while treating patient in ICU. Earth circuit should connect to prevent shock. Proper aid should be used for prevention from exposure of radiations like wearing Goggles, aprons, Ect...

Sunday, May 06, 2007

PIRIFORMIS SYNDROME

Piriformis syndrome is an often misdiagnosed cause of sciatica, leg, or buttock pain, and disability. The sciatic nerve may be compressed within the buttock by the piriformis muscle, with pain increased by muscular contraction, palpation, or prolonged sitting.
The piriformis syndrome is a condition in which the piriformis muscle irritates the sciatic nerve,
This referred pain, called "sciatica", often goes down the back of the thigh and/or into the lower back.
Patients generally complain of pain deep in the buttocks,
Worse by sitting,
Climbing stairs, or
Performing squats.
The piriformis muscle assists in abducting and laterally rotating the thigh.
This is the action of the right piriformis muscle
It balance the left foot, move the right leg directly sideways away from the body and rotate the right leg so that the toes point towards the ceiling.

TREATMENT:
§ Stretching exercises and
§ Massage.
§ Anti-inflammatory drugs prescribed.
§ Cessation of running, bicycling, or similar activities may be advised
Stretching:Lie flat on the bed. Bend the legs to 90ยบ the knee, lifting the feet in the air. Let the feet spread apart from each other, keeping the knees together