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Biomedical subjects

G B Field

Publications and source records attributed to G B Field.

17 recordsLinked to original sources
PubMed1994

Pain control: some aspects of day-to-day management.

A practical framework for the management of pain control in palliative care of patients with advanced malignancies, using analgesics and co-analgesics is described. The analgesic ladder is used as a model for the logical progression of options for the day-to-day application of analgesics. Strong opioids and their side-effects are discussed. Indications for the most frequently applied co-analgesics are given, including the more commonly required psychotropic agents.

Analgesics↗
PubMed1984

Occupational asthma.

Occupational asthma is a hypersensitivity syndrome, and must be distinguished from non-specific aggravation of existing asthma. Probably only a minority of the causal agents produce sensitization by allergic mechanisms. The important clinical features of occupational asthma are the latent period before the onset of symptoms, the characteristic periodicity of symptoms, and the progressive increase in the severity of symptoms with continuing exposure. The diagnosis can usually be made from the history; serial measurements of peak expiratory flow will provide objective confirmation of the diagnosis. Identification of the agent responsible is desirable but not essential to the diagnosis, and specific bronchial challenge with the causal agent should be reserved for atypical cases. Symptomatic or prophylactic drug treatment should never be more than a short-term measure. The most effective treatment is for the patient to change his job.

Asthma↗
PubMed1984

Pulmonary function in aluminium smelters.

Two studies were conducted at an aluminum smelter employing 113 male workers in the smelting process. Twenty one of the 111 men in the first study experienced chest tightness more often than once a week and had a higher prevalence of cough, dyspnoea, and nasal symptoms but not of positive skin test responses than symptomless men. Lung function in these men did not differ significantly from that in the symptomless men at the beginning of the working week and only marginal deterioration occurred over the week. In the second study serial spirometric measurements were obtained over several shifts in a subset of 31 men from the first study. Impairment of ventilatory function on exposure to smelting fumes was demonstrated in 18 men. Analysis of all data from the 31 subjects revealed that ventilatory function varied significantly in association with heavy exposure to potfumes and a history of recurrent chest tightness. The findings of these two studies indicate that aluminum smelting fumes can cause bronchoconstriction in susceptible individuals. The reaction is dose dependent and is more severe in those with a history of recurrent chest tightness.

Adult↗