Asthma

Question 1

Definition

Answer 1

Condition which your airways narrow and swell and may produce extra mucus
Can make breathing difficult and can trigger coughing, wheezing when you breath out and shortness of breath

Question 2

Aetiology

Answer 2

Isn’t clear why some people get asthma and others dont, but its probably due to a combination of environmental and inherited factors

2 major factors are involved in the development of asthma:
– Atopy:
—- individuals who readily develop IgE antibodies against common environmental antigens such as house-dust mite, grass pollen and fungal spores
—- genetic ad environmental factors affect serum IgE levels like IL-4 (environmental factors- childhood exposure to allergens and maternal smoking)

– increased responsiveness of the airways of the lungs

Causes and triggers:
- genetic:
– genes that affect the production of cytokines like IL 3,4,5,9 and 13

• environmental:
  – exposure to maternal smoking increases the development of IgE antibodies, increasing the likelihood of atopy being caused

other triggers and causes:
– viral infections (rhinovirus, RSV)
– cold air
– emotion
– drugs like NSAIDS
– atmospheric pollution
– environmental exposure to allergens

3 main characteristics:
– airflow limitation (usually reversible, either spontaneously or with treatment)
– airway hyper-responsiveness
– bronchial inflammation

Question 3

Epidemiology

Answer 3

More common in developing countries

10-15% of people have it in the second decade of life

Commonly starts in childhood between the ages of 3-5 years old

15% of population have asthma

300 million have it worldwide with it estimated to increase to 400 million by 2025

Question 4

Risk factors

Answer 4

Having a relative with asthma

Being overweight

smoking

Second hand smoke

Question 5

Classification of asthma

Answer 5

Childhood onset persistent asthma- usually allergic to airborne particles and commonly get triggered by these

Late onset asthma (adults)- may be triggered by chemicals in the workplace

Question 6

Symptoms

Answer 6

Symptoms can vary from person to person.

Principal symptoms:
– wheezing attacks
– shortness of breath
– chest tightness
– cough especially in children
these symptoms are worse at night

Symptoms tend to be intermittent, worse at night and in the mornings. And set off by the triggers.

Some people may have 1 or 2 attacks a year, whereas some patients will have chronic symptoms all of the time

During an attack:
– reduced chest expansion
– prolonged expiratory time
– bilateral expiratory polyphonic wheezes

Question 7

Prognosis

Answer 7

Cant be cured, but the symptoms can be managed