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Diseases from which man suffered reflected exposures to areas containing a
wide range of pathogens. In addition, many interactions with other members
of his own species added physical and chemical threats to his existence.
The recent homogenization of mankind as a result of the ease of travel and
intermarriage has blurred many of the distinctions of genetic
predisposition and geographic disease.
The newer emphases in health research are related to societal development
and activity (especially industrialism), and to the forces of nature.
Man's tolerance for or adaptation to a cold environment is limited, as is his ability to adapt to
pressure changes.
Some means of regulating the thermal environment, for
instance, clothing, shelter, and fire are required to permit survival for
long periods at temperatures much below 20 degree C (68 degree F).
With this
adaptation came the problems of smoke inhalation, burns, and insulation
dusts (asbestos currently is considered the prime hazard in the latter
category).
Reduction of the partial pressure of oxygen at high altitudes (over 3,000
meters) or increased atmospheric pressure (as in sea diving) produces
disease.
Environmental Pathology-Thermal Regulatory
Dysfunction:click
Environmental Pathology - Hypothermia:
click here
Environmental Pathology - Hyperthermia:
click here
Environmental Pathology- Electrical Burns: click
here
Environmental Pathology- Altitude Related Illnesses:
click here
Environmental Pathology - Physical Injuries: click
here
The
biologic effects and the therapeutic mechanism of action of electric and
electromagnetic field stimulation on bone and cartilage: new findings and
a review of earlier work.
J Altern Complement Med. 2007 Jun;13(5):485-90.
Background:
Muscle, ligament, bone, cartilage, blood, and adult stem-cell
production all respond to electric and electromagnetic fields, and
these biophysical field agents can be applied in therapeutic contexts.
Postulated mechanisms at the cellular, subcellular, and molecular
level are discussed. Electric and electromagnetic field stimulation
enhance the repair of bone through the mediation of three areas at the
cellular level: (1) the complex interplay of the physical environment;
(2) growth factors; and (3) the signal transduction cascade. Studies
of electric and electromagnetic fields suggest that an intermediary
mechanism of action may be an increase in morphogenetic bone proteins,
transforming growth factor-beta, and the insulin-like growth factor
II, which results in an increase of the extracellular matrix of
cartilage and bone. Investigations have begun to clarify how cells
respond to biophysical stimuli by means of transmembrane signaling and
gene expression for structural and signaling proteins. Methods: Review
of meta-analysis trials of electrical stimulation of all types.
Conclusions: Further research in the form of methodologically sound,
randomized, controlled studies are needed. Inter alia, resolutions are
needed for the significant disparities between clinical targets, types
of electrical stimulation, and clinical outcomes.
Self-assessed occupational health and working environment of female
nurses, cabin crew and teachers.Scand
J Caring Sci. 2007 Jun;21(2):262-273.
Aim: The aim of this study was to describe and compare the self-assessed
occupational health among female nurses, cabin crew and teachers, in
relation to their working environment. Background: Similarities between
the three occupations, i.e. predominantly female and service-oriented,
render them interesting in comparison with respect to health and working
environment. Methods: The participants were female Icelandic cabin crew,
nurses and elementary school teachers. A questionnaire including items on
socio-demographics, working environment (addressing work pace, job
security, monotonous work, assistance, physically strenuous work and
physical environmental factors) and a symptom list was used for data
collection. Factor analyses on the symptom list resulted in five symptom
scales: Musculoskeletal, Stress and exhaustion, Common cold,
Gastrointestinal and Sound perception scale. A total of 1571
questionnaires were distributed. The response rate was 65.7-69%, depending
on occupation. Data were collected in 2002. Results: Cabin crew reported
worse gastrointestinal, sound perception and common cold symptoms than
nurses and teachers. Cabin crew and teachers reported worse symptoms of
stress and exhaustion than nurses (p < 0.05). When compared with teachers
and nurses cabin crew reported less job security and more physically
strenuous and monotonous work. Nurses were likelier to seek assistance
from co-workers or patients as well as to take care of an older relative
than teachers and cabin crew. Regression analysis found that within each
occupation distress from environmental factors resulted in higher score on
all the symptom scales. Conclusions: Nurses experience less stress and
exhaustion than teachers and cabin crew. In comparison with one or both of
the other occupations nurses are more likely to assist each other with
their work, experience job security, reporting physically complex work and
take care of older relatives. This should be highlighted as positive
aspects of nurses' work praised as displaying responsibility and
interconnectedness of nurses.
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