Unit 14
A.P1 - Explain the causes, signs and symptoms of different types of physiological disorders on service users
In this section I will explain the main causes, signs and symptoms of a nervous system disorder, which is Parkinson’s disease,
and a respiratory system disorder, which is asthma.
Both Parkinson’s disease and asthma are physiological disorders which means they are conditions where a body system fails to
function as it should, and affects other body systems in many ways. For example, this could be due to deterioration of certain
cell types, as is the case for Parkinson’s disease, or airway obstruction from excess mucus for asthma. A clinical diagnosis is
made from signs a doctor, family or friends can observe and symptoms individuals will experience.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition which means parts of the brain get more damaged over time leading
to its deterioration. This means it gets significantly more difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks without assistance. Around
139,000 individuals in England and 166,000 individuals in the whole UK have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Due to the fast
diagnosis rate and estimates, Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. Despite this,
Parkinson’s does not directly lead to death. But it does make individuals more susceptible to serious and possibly life
threatening infections due to the strain it places on the body.
The main cause of Parkinson’s disease is the reduction of nerve cells in the area of the brain called substantia nigra, leading to a
loss of the chemical dopamine which is inside the brain. Dopamine is important as it regulates body control and movements and
the drop of this is what leads to many of Parkinson's symptoms. Experts currently do not know what causes the loss of nerve
cells, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Also, drug misuse can also be a factor for
developing Parkinson’s. Genetic variations cause about 10-15% of Parkinson’s and some of the genes can be inherited, mostly if
Parkinson’s is common in the family. This means that 85-90% of Parkinson’s cases are sporadic and not directly inherited.
Environmental toxins such as pollution or pesticides may also contribute to the condition. Similarly, the reason why men are
more likely to have Parkinson’s than women could also be due to a combination of environmental factors such as genetics or
hormones, and their lifestyle which could mean exposure to chemicals. Other risk factors of Parkinson’s disease apart from
gender can include age as the chance of being diagnosed increases with age, ethnicity as studies suggest Parkinson’s is more
common in caucasian people, poor diet and little exercise. There are also some foods that individuals with Parkinson’s may wish
to avoid, such as processed foods, foods high in saturated fats, hard to chew foods as there is a risk of choking, sugary foods and
drinks, large amounts of alcohol, large amounts of protein and red meats as iron may reduce the amount of Parkinson’s disease
medication being absorbed.
The main signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include tremors while the hand or arm is at rest, slowness of movement
which makes daily tasks difficult as they may drag their feet, muscle stiffness which limits movement as it is painful, small
handwriting or difficulty writing, loss of smell, trouble sleeping, excessive sweating, masked face where you may have a serious
or depressed look even if you are happy, excessive saliva production, a soft or low voice, constipation, urinary incompetence,
nerve pain which can cause uncomfortable sensations like burning or numbness, issues with balance increasing the likelihood of
falling or injury, sudden drops in blood pressure causing dizziness or blurred vision and problems with swallowing that can lead
to malnutrition, dietary deficiencies or dehydration. Due to Parkinson’s being more common in men, around 59% of individuals
,in the UK, may experience erectile dysfunction. Similarly, women may experience sexual dysfunction. Other symptoms they
may experience could be anxiety, depression, mild cognitive impairment which causes issues with memory plus troubles with
jobs that require organisation or planning, and dementia that can also cause serious memory problems, hallucinations, delusions
and personality changes. (Parkinson’s UK, October 2025), (NHS, last reviewed November 2022), (Cure Parkinson’s, no date),
(Parkinson’s Foundation, no date), (Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, August 2021).
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects an individual's airways, causing them to become narrowed. This means
breathing becomes more difficult which can interfere with daily activities, or worse, lead to an asthma attack that can be life
threatening. For example, 4 people in the UK die from asthma attacks every day, and roughly two-thirds of these deaths are
preventable. Approximately 7.2 million people in the UK have asthma.
The main cause of asthma is due to a combination of environmental factors such as air pollution from cars or poor housing
conditions with damp and mold spores, and genetic factors, as you are more likely to have asthma if other people in the family
also have asthma. Examples of environmental pollutants that can trigger asthma include ozone (O3) which causes increased
emergency room visits due to smog, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide which is related to the development of asthma and
worse symptoms. There are lifestyle factors which can increase the chance of asthma such as smoking, vaping or drug use,
which are often associated with worse asthma attacks and increased mortality. Asthmatics can have allergies including food
allergies and eczema and are known for their sensitive and irritated airways. Some asthma can be caused by cold air, stress and
physical activity especially if the individual is overweight, and having a low birth weight possibly from being born prematurely.
Around 80% of babies born at 28 weeks gestation and 90% of babies born at 24 weeks are affected with respiratory distress
syndrome, and over half of those need surfactant administration. A proportion of these babies continue to experience chronic
lung disease and may later be diagnosed with asthma. Many asthmatics experience a worsening of symptoms and an increase in
asthma attacks when they have an upper respiratory tract infection.
The main signs and symptoms of asthma are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness of chest. These can make
daily activities such as talking or walking more difficult than the average person. In particular, wheezing and coughing are
observable signs that can be seen by, for example, a doctor. The three main situations where asthma signs and symptoms flare up
include exercise induced asthma which is worse in the dry or cold, allergy induced asthma from airborne substances and
occupational asthma from chemical fumes and dust. Occupational asthma accounts for 9-15% of adult asthma cases and Allergic
asthma accounts for roughly four-fifths of asthmatics in the UK. To avoid worsening asthma individuals should avoid common
allergens like nuts or milk, high salt, processed and sugary foods, smoking and alcohol. Symptoms can only be felt by the
individual like tightness of chest and may come and go and some can go unnoticed for weeks or even months. To lower the risk
of symptoms and asthma attacks it should be treated daily, even if the individual feels good. Women may also experience worse
and more fatal attacks and symptoms as adults due to estrogen and progesterone which have a large impact on lung function that
can affect airway sensitivity. Whereas men are more likely to have severe asthma in childhood. This could be due to lung
development delays in boys from hormones that leave them vulnerable to respiratory issues. Research suggests that testosterone
may protect against asthma which is why men are less likely to have asthma in adulthood. (Mayo Clinic, March 2025),
(Chemist4u, no date), (NHS, last reviewed April, 2025), (Asthma + Lung UK, no date), (National Library of Medication, March
2023).
, A.M1 - Analyse the changes in body systems and functions resulting from different types of physiological disorders on
service users
This task will be looking at the body systems and functions resulting from Parkinson’s disease and asthma and how this impacts
service users. This will include the nervous system, respiratory system and cardiovascular system for Parkinson's disease and the
respiratory system, cardiovascular system and digestive system for asthma.
Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system which uses nerve cells called neurons to send electrical signals to the brain by
receiving sensory information from outside the body. These electrical systems move between the brain, spinal cord and all other
parts of the body. These signals allow individuals to feel sensations such as pain and allow communication within the body. This
means that individuals with Parkinson’s may not be able to have full control of their body movements. They may also find it
difficult to move easily due to rigidity that commonly affects the arms, leg muscles and shoulders. This is why it is important to
move around, otherwise it could cause more severe stiffness in the muscles that will be uncomfortable. Individuals with
Parkinson’s disease are losing dopamine producing neurons, experiencing dopamine deficiency. They will experience motor
disturbance such as slowed movements and tremors. Other neurotransmitters such as glutamate, serotonin, acetylcholine,
noradrenaline and GABA are also affected, contributing to the disease's complex motor and non-motor symptoms like sleep
issues, dementia, and depression. Medical treatments may include drugs to boost dopamine production specifically and the other
neurotransmitters. Where insufficient neurotransmitters are being produced the neurochemical message is failing to cross the
synapse in the neuron to the receptors.
Individuals with Parkinson’s can also have issues with their respiratory system and may experience a range of symptoms.
Symptoms may include shortness of breath while not doing anything physically active and high pitched noises while breathing.
Individuals with Parkinson’s disease may have shallow irregular breathing. They may have rigid muscles and involuntary
movements which can disrupt normal breathing patterns. Shortness of breath caused by a stiff chest wall as well as hunched
posture reduces lung capacity. Similarly, they can suffer from upper airway obstructions and sleep apnea that can cause more
difficulty breathing.
Parkinson’s disease may also affect the cardiovascular system as autonomic functions could lead to sudden blood pressure
drops when doing physical activity, sitting or standing. The autonomic nervous system is part of the peripheral nervous system
which controls heart rate and blood pressure among other functions. The cardiac system in individuals with Parkinson's disease
is likely to be affected in two ways. The first is neurogenic orthostatic hypotension caused by a degeneration of the control
mechanisms for blood pressure. This may present as fainting, dizziness and blurred vision. The second way in which
Parkinson’s may affect the cardiac system is in reduced heart rate variability.
Asthma affects the respiratory system which is a collection of organs such as the lungs, airways and mouth that helps an
individual breathe, while also protecting against harmful germs and particles. The respiratory system is supported by muscles
and blood vessels that work together to transport oxygen in and throughout the body while removing carbon dioxide by
exhaling. Due to bronchial spasm and inflammation, there will be insufficient oxygen intake. The bronchial spasm is
experienced as a tightness in the chest and the feeling that not enough air is being inhaled. Asthma also causes the production of
very sticky mucus in the airways which is difficult to clear. It can obstruct oxygen absorption and further blocks lung expansion.
The extra sticky mucus can also block inhaled asthma medications from reaching their target area. This can lead to fatigue as the
, heart and lungs will have to work harder to get oxygen around the body. The airways of an asthmatic are narrower than normal
airways and they become further narrowed during an attack. Air can be blocked from entering the alveoli, and can be trapped
inside the alveoli unable to exhale satisfactorily. The smooth muscles in the asthmatics airway are swollen and mucus filled,
unable to do a good job at delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. If untreated or very severe, asthma can cause
permanent lung damage or death.
Asthma also affects the cardiovascular system as severe attacks can cause the body to release stress hormones which are trying
to open the airways, impacting the heart and cause other issues such as irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes or heart
palpitations that can further impact an individual's life. The stress hormones of an asthma attack raise blood pressure and
increase heart rate. The right side of the heart can be particularly impacted by a condition called pulsus paradoxus which is
characterised by large swings in intrathoracic pressure with each breath that can affect cardiac output and venous return. Over
time, severe attacks can cause cardiac strain.
Having asthma can impact an individual's digestive system as they are more susceptible to heartburn. Individuals may have
difficulty swallowing and burning chest pain or pressure behind the breastbone from gastric acid going into the esophagus.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can be caused by pressure changes in the chest and abdomen during an attack. The relaxation
of the lower esophageal sphincter during an asthma attack can also cause gastric acid to go back into the oesophagus.
Asthmatics commonly experience abdominal pain and cramping due to forced breathing and increased energy use. Lung health
can be influenced by the gut microbiome, this is called the gut-lung axis. The immune system can be impacted by gut
microbiome health which can influence individuals asthma. The digestive system can be affected by asthma medications which
are often taken everyday throughout their life. The increased mucus and inflammation which affects the bronchial tract can also
affect the digestive tract, as it is part of the mast cell immune response. The individual may experience nausea and can suffer
from nutrient malabsorption. (National Library of Medicine, September 2010), (Frontiers, July 2025).
A.P1 - Explain the causes, signs and symptoms of different types of physiological disorders on service users
In this section I will explain the main causes, signs and symptoms of a nervous system disorder, which is Parkinson’s disease,
and a respiratory system disorder, which is asthma.
Both Parkinson’s disease and asthma are physiological disorders which means they are conditions where a body system fails to
function as it should, and affects other body systems in many ways. For example, this could be due to deterioration of certain
cell types, as is the case for Parkinson’s disease, or airway obstruction from excess mucus for asthma. A clinical diagnosis is
made from signs a doctor, family or friends can observe and symptoms individuals will experience.
Parkinson’s disease is a progressive neurological condition which means parts of the brain get more damaged over time leading
to its deterioration. This means it gets significantly more difficult to carry out day-to-day tasks without assistance. Around
139,000 individuals in England and 166,000 individuals in the whole UK have been diagnosed with Parkinson’s. Due to the fast
diagnosis rate and estimates, Parkinson's disease is the fastest growing neurological condition in the world. Despite this,
Parkinson’s does not directly lead to death. But it does make individuals more susceptible to serious and possibly life
threatening infections due to the strain it places on the body.
The main cause of Parkinson’s disease is the reduction of nerve cells in the area of the brain called substantia nigra, leading to a
loss of the chemical dopamine which is inside the brain. Dopamine is important as it regulates body control and movements and
the drop of this is what leads to many of Parkinson's symptoms. Experts currently do not know what causes the loss of nerve
cells, but it is thought to be a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Also, drug misuse can also be a factor for
developing Parkinson’s. Genetic variations cause about 10-15% of Parkinson’s and some of the genes can be inherited, mostly if
Parkinson’s is common in the family. This means that 85-90% of Parkinson’s cases are sporadic and not directly inherited.
Environmental toxins such as pollution or pesticides may also contribute to the condition. Similarly, the reason why men are
more likely to have Parkinson’s than women could also be due to a combination of environmental factors such as genetics or
hormones, and their lifestyle which could mean exposure to chemicals. Other risk factors of Parkinson’s disease apart from
gender can include age as the chance of being diagnosed increases with age, ethnicity as studies suggest Parkinson’s is more
common in caucasian people, poor diet and little exercise. There are also some foods that individuals with Parkinson’s may wish
to avoid, such as processed foods, foods high in saturated fats, hard to chew foods as there is a risk of choking, sugary foods and
drinks, large amounts of alcohol, large amounts of protein and red meats as iron may reduce the amount of Parkinson’s disease
medication being absorbed.
The main signs and symptoms of Parkinson’s disease include tremors while the hand or arm is at rest, slowness of movement
which makes daily tasks difficult as they may drag their feet, muscle stiffness which limits movement as it is painful, small
handwriting or difficulty writing, loss of smell, trouble sleeping, excessive sweating, masked face where you may have a serious
or depressed look even if you are happy, excessive saliva production, a soft or low voice, constipation, urinary incompetence,
nerve pain which can cause uncomfortable sensations like burning or numbness, issues with balance increasing the likelihood of
falling or injury, sudden drops in blood pressure causing dizziness or blurred vision and problems with swallowing that can lead
to malnutrition, dietary deficiencies or dehydration. Due to Parkinson’s being more common in men, around 59% of individuals
,in the UK, may experience erectile dysfunction. Similarly, women may experience sexual dysfunction. Other symptoms they
may experience could be anxiety, depression, mild cognitive impairment which causes issues with memory plus troubles with
jobs that require organisation or planning, and dementia that can also cause serious memory problems, hallucinations, delusions
and personality changes. (Parkinson’s UK, October 2025), (NHS, last reviewed November 2022), (Cure Parkinson’s, no date),
(Parkinson’s Foundation, no date), (Parkinson Foundation of the National Capital Area, August 2021).
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects an individual's airways, causing them to become narrowed. This means
breathing becomes more difficult which can interfere with daily activities, or worse, lead to an asthma attack that can be life
threatening. For example, 4 people in the UK die from asthma attacks every day, and roughly two-thirds of these deaths are
preventable. Approximately 7.2 million people in the UK have asthma.
The main cause of asthma is due to a combination of environmental factors such as air pollution from cars or poor housing
conditions with damp and mold spores, and genetic factors, as you are more likely to have asthma if other people in the family
also have asthma. Examples of environmental pollutants that can trigger asthma include ozone (O3) which causes increased
emergency room visits due to smog, carbon monoxide and sulfur dioxide which is related to the development of asthma and
worse symptoms. There are lifestyle factors which can increase the chance of asthma such as smoking, vaping or drug use,
which are often associated with worse asthma attacks and increased mortality. Asthmatics can have allergies including food
allergies and eczema and are known for their sensitive and irritated airways. Some asthma can be caused by cold air, stress and
physical activity especially if the individual is overweight, and having a low birth weight possibly from being born prematurely.
Around 80% of babies born at 28 weeks gestation and 90% of babies born at 24 weeks are affected with respiratory distress
syndrome, and over half of those need surfactant administration. A proportion of these babies continue to experience chronic
lung disease and may later be diagnosed with asthma. Many asthmatics experience a worsening of symptoms and an increase in
asthma attacks when they have an upper respiratory tract infection.
The main signs and symptoms of asthma are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and tightness of chest. These can make
daily activities such as talking or walking more difficult than the average person. In particular, wheezing and coughing are
observable signs that can be seen by, for example, a doctor. The three main situations where asthma signs and symptoms flare up
include exercise induced asthma which is worse in the dry or cold, allergy induced asthma from airborne substances and
occupational asthma from chemical fumes and dust. Occupational asthma accounts for 9-15% of adult asthma cases and Allergic
asthma accounts for roughly four-fifths of asthmatics in the UK. To avoid worsening asthma individuals should avoid common
allergens like nuts or milk, high salt, processed and sugary foods, smoking and alcohol. Symptoms can only be felt by the
individual like tightness of chest and may come and go and some can go unnoticed for weeks or even months. To lower the risk
of symptoms and asthma attacks it should be treated daily, even if the individual feels good. Women may also experience worse
and more fatal attacks and symptoms as adults due to estrogen and progesterone which have a large impact on lung function that
can affect airway sensitivity. Whereas men are more likely to have severe asthma in childhood. This could be due to lung
development delays in boys from hormones that leave them vulnerable to respiratory issues. Research suggests that testosterone
may protect against asthma which is why men are less likely to have asthma in adulthood. (Mayo Clinic, March 2025),
(Chemist4u, no date), (NHS, last reviewed April, 2025), (Asthma + Lung UK, no date), (National Library of Medication, March
2023).
, A.M1 - Analyse the changes in body systems and functions resulting from different types of physiological disorders on
service users
This task will be looking at the body systems and functions resulting from Parkinson’s disease and asthma and how this impacts
service users. This will include the nervous system, respiratory system and cardiovascular system for Parkinson's disease and the
respiratory system, cardiovascular system and digestive system for asthma.
Parkinson’s disease affects the nervous system which uses nerve cells called neurons to send electrical signals to the brain by
receiving sensory information from outside the body. These electrical systems move between the brain, spinal cord and all other
parts of the body. These signals allow individuals to feel sensations such as pain and allow communication within the body. This
means that individuals with Parkinson’s may not be able to have full control of their body movements. They may also find it
difficult to move easily due to rigidity that commonly affects the arms, leg muscles and shoulders. This is why it is important to
move around, otherwise it could cause more severe stiffness in the muscles that will be uncomfortable. Individuals with
Parkinson’s disease are losing dopamine producing neurons, experiencing dopamine deficiency. They will experience motor
disturbance such as slowed movements and tremors. Other neurotransmitters such as glutamate, serotonin, acetylcholine,
noradrenaline and GABA are also affected, contributing to the disease's complex motor and non-motor symptoms like sleep
issues, dementia, and depression. Medical treatments may include drugs to boost dopamine production specifically and the other
neurotransmitters. Where insufficient neurotransmitters are being produced the neurochemical message is failing to cross the
synapse in the neuron to the receptors.
Individuals with Parkinson’s can also have issues with their respiratory system and may experience a range of symptoms.
Symptoms may include shortness of breath while not doing anything physically active and high pitched noises while breathing.
Individuals with Parkinson’s disease may have shallow irregular breathing. They may have rigid muscles and involuntary
movements which can disrupt normal breathing patterns. Shortness of breath caused by a stiff chest wall as well as hunched
posture reduces lung capacity. Similarly, they can suffer from upper airway obstructions and sleep apnea that can cause more
difficulty breathing.
Parkinson’s disease may also affect the cardiovascular system as autonomic functions could lead to sudden blood pressure
drops when doing physical activity, sitting or standing. The autonomic nervous system is part of the peripheral nervous system
which controls heart rate and blood pressure among other functions. The cardiac system in individuals with Parkinson's disease
is likely to be affected in two ways. The first is neurogenic orthostatic hypotension caused by a degeneration of the control
mechanisms for blood pressure. This may present as fainting, dizziness and blurred vision. The second way in which
Parkinson’s may affect the cardiac system is in reduced heart rate variability.
Asthma affects the respiratory system which is a collection of organs such as the lungs, airways and mouth that helps an
individual breathe, while also protecting against harmful germs and particles. The respiratory system is supported by muscles
and blood vessels that work together to transport oxygen in and throughout the body while removing carbon dioxide by
exhaling. Due to bronchial spasm and inflammation, there will be insufficient oxygen intake. The bronchial spasm is
experienced as a tightness in the chest and the feeling that not enough air is being inhaled. Asthma also causes the production of
very sticky mucus in the airways which is difficult to clear. It can obstruct oxygen absorption and further blocks lung expansion.
The extra sticky mucus can also block inhaled asthma medications from reaching their target area. This can lead to fatigue as the
, heart and lungs will have to work harder to get oxygen around the body. The airways of an asthmatic are narrower than normal
airways and they become further narrowed during an attack. Air can be blocked from entering the alveoli, and can be trapped
inside the alveoli unable to exhale satisfactorily. The smooth muscles in the asthmatics airway are swollen and mucus filled,
unable to do a good job at delivering oxygen and removing carbon dioxide. If untreated or very severe, asthma can cause
permanent lung damage or death.
Asthma also affects the cardiovascular system as severe attacks can cause the body to release stress hormones which are trying
to open the airways, impacting the heart and cause other issues such as irregular heartbeat, blood pressure changes or heart
palpitations that can further impact an individual's life. The stress hormones of an asthma attack raise blood pressure and
increase heart rate. The right side of the heart can be particularly impacted by a condition called pulsus paradoxus which is
characterised by large swings in intrathoracic pressure with each breath that can affect cardiac output and venous return. Over
time, severe attacks can cause cardiac strain.
Having asthma can impact an individual's digestive system as they are more susceptible to heartburn. Individuals may have
difficulty swallowing and burning chest pain or pressure behind the breastbone from gastric acid going into the esophagus.
Gastroesophageal reflux (GERD) can be caused by pressure changes in the chest and abdomen during an attack. The relaxation
of the lower esophageal sphincter during an asthma attack can also cause gastric acid to go back into the oesophagus.
Asthmatics commonly experience abdominal pain and cramping due to forced breathing and increased energy use. Lung health
can be influenced by the gut microbiome, this is called the gut-lung axis. The immune system can be impacted by gut
microbiome health which can influence individuals asthma. The digestive system can be affected by asthma medications which
are often taken everyday throughout their life. The increased mucus and inflammation which affects the bronchial tract can also
affect the digestive tract, as it is part of the mast cell immune response. The individual may experience nausea and can suffer
from nutrient malabsorption. (National Library of Medicine, September 2010), (Frontiers, July 2025).
