11. Asthma Flashcards
What is asthma?
Reversible intermittent airway obstruction
What causes airway obstruction in asthma?
Mucosal inflammation
Neural hyperresponsiveness
Smooth muscle hypertrophy and thickening of the basement membrane
Which cells cause mucosal inflammation in asthma?
Eosinophils
Mast cells
Th2 lymphocytes
What does inflammation of the mucosa lead to in asthma?
Loss of epithelium, causing increased mucous production and bronchoconstriction
What maintenance treatment is given to children with asthma?
Corticosteroid inhalers
eg. beclomethasone
What maintenance treatment is given to adults with asthma?
Corticosteroid inhalers with long-acting bronchodilator therapy eg. long acting B2 agonists
What is the effect of maintenance therapy in asthma?
Reduces mucous production by goblet cells
Restores epithelial cell growth
Increases number of B receptors
Inhibit recruitment of inflammatory cells
Reduces bronchial hyperreactivity
What symptom relievers are given in asthma?
Bronchodilators
Inhaled short-acting B2 agonists
Inhaled anticholinergics
Name a short-acting B2 agonist
Salbutamol
Name an anticholinergic
Ipratropium
Why are asthma symptoms worse at night?
Reduced adrenaline and cortisol levels
What are the side effects of inhaled corticosteroids?
Oral candidiasis
What are the side effects of B agonists?
Tremor
Palpitations
Muscle cramps
What are the side effects of oral steroids?
Weight gain, striae Myopathy Glaucoma Osteoporosis Diabetes Bruising
What are the signs of respiratory distress?
Increased respiratory rate, use of accessory muscles
‘Tripod position’
Unable to complete sentences
RR>30
