Asthma

Question 1

Asthma

Answer 1

• airway constriction in a small airway (lumen is smaller and filled with some fluid)
• difficulty breathing out
• causes SOB,
• Sounds like wheezing

Question 2

Exercise-induced asthma (EIA) or exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB)

Answer 2

Asthma that is induced or exacerbated during physical exertion.
Typically, EIB occurs after vigorous exercise (e.g. jogging, aerobics, walking briskly, climbing stairs), not during exercise.
Symptoms of EIA are pronounced during activities when the individual is exposed to cold, dry air.

Question 3

Acute asthma exacerbation, (asthma attack)

Answer 3

occurs when the patient has a sudden onset of dyspnea and lower airway compromise. This is considered a medical emergency

Question 4

SABAs

Answer 4

Short-Acting Beta Agonists
work by relaxing the smooth muscles of the the airways leading to the lungs that become narrow (constrict) during an asthma attack—allowing air to flow more freely and alleviating spasms.

Question 5

Corticosteroids (e.g., fluticasone, prednisone)

Answer 5

• Suppress inflammatory response
• Inhaled form is used in long-term control.
• Systemic form to control exacerbations and manage persistent asthma
• Reduce bronchial hyper-responsiveness
• Decrease mucus production
• Are taken on a fixed schedule
• Oropharyngeal candidiasis, hoarseness, and a dry cough are local adverse effects of inhaled drug.
• Can be reduced using a spacer or by gargling after each use

Question 6

Bronchodilators

Answer 6

by stimulating β-adrenergic receptors in the bronchioles, thus producing bronchodilation. They also increase mucociliary clearance.