Activity 4.3.5: Smoking Can Cost You an Arm and a Leg!
Part I: Tired of Tingling
John Jones has always been relatively healthy. He eats well, but he has smoked a pack a day on and off for 30 years. John was an athlete in college and even though he is in his 50’s now, he still gets out running or walking at least twice a week. Lately, he has noticed cramping in his right calf when he exercises. The pain goes away once he stops and rests, but John is starting to think that something might be wrong. John also reports frequent tingling in his leg, almost like it is falling asleep.
o What are some possible causes of John’s leg pain? Brainstorm a list.
Smoking, straining muscles, atherosclerosis and blood clotting, injury
o What do you think is the most likely cause of John’s leg pain? Describe this condition.
Plaque buildups and artery walls narrowing (atherosclerosis and arteriosclerosis)
o How might smoking be related to John’s leg pain?
Smoking can damage and cause plaque buildup in the arteries.
o What basic test(s) can be performed to confirm your diagnosis? What do these tests measure?
We can perform the ankle brachial index to see the blood flow in the body while using a Doppler and a sphygmometer to see if he is subjected to PAD.
Part II: Under Pressure
In Part I, you learned that John may be at risk for peripheral vascular disease (PVD), specifically peripheral artery disease (PAD). One simple test for diagnosing PAD is called the ankle brachial index (ABI).
1. Before you look at the test, review the physiology of blood pressure. Use reference textbooks or the Internet to help you answer the following:
o List and describe at least three body systems that help in the regulation and control of blood pressure.
The urinary system, cardiovascular system, endocrine system all help in maintaining homeostasis of blood pressure, urinary controls water in blood, cardiovascular system controls blood being pumped out, endocrine system releases hormones to also regulate blood pressure.
o Draw a feedback loop that shows one way your body responds to an increase in blood pressure. Make sure to mention all the organ systems, organs, or hormones involved in restoring balance.
2. With your partner, use the Internet to answer the following:
o What is the ankle brachial index (ABI) and how is it computed?
It’s a way of measuring blood flow in the body to see if one might have PAD. It is computed by dividing the BP in the ankle by the BP in the arm.
o How does ABI relate to blood pressure?
ABI is measured by seeing the bloodflow after using a sphygmometer to decreas the bloodflow then to see the blood flow in after decreasing the pressure.
o What is the difference between systolic and diastolic pressure?
Systolic pressure is when the heart is contracting, diastolic pressure is when the heart is relaxing.
o John is worried about pain during this test. What can you tell him to calm his nerves?
I can tell him that this test is not a big deal at all and that he won’t even know what’s going on.
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Human Body Systems Activity 4.3.5 Smoking Can Cost You an Arm and a Leg! – Page 3