Asthma Flashcards
What is asthma?
Asthma is a common long-term respiratory condition
When do symptoms of asthma occur?
Symptoms occur when there is swelling (inflammation) in the tubes that carry air into the lungs (airways). The amount and severity of these symptoms can vary a lot between children, and within the same child at different times.
At what age can children be diagnosed with asthma?
Over 5 years old
What terms are often used to describe asthma until a firm diagnosis is established?
Pre-school wheeze or viral wheeze
Can a wheeze in under 5s resolve completely?
Yes a wheeze in this age group may resolve completely or a small number may go on to be diagnosed with asthma.
What are the 3 key characteristics of asthma?
Variable
Episodic
Reversible
What are the variable respiratory systems caused by asthma?
Variable - not constant, can fluctuate due to factors
Wheeze
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Cough
When are symptoms of asthma worse?
Symptoms tend to be worse at night or early in the morning, or immediately following exposure to a trigger such as pollen or smoke, and during activity.
What are episodic symptoms of asthma?
People with asthma often have periods of worsening symptoms and worsening airway obstruction, called exacerbations (also called attacks or flare-ups), that can be fatal.
How can you tell the difference between viral induced wheezing and asthma?
Children with viral induced wheezing (not asthma) will have clear periods of time between colds when they are symptom free.
How is asthma reversible?
Asthma symptoms such as cough, wheeze and chest tightness occur when the airways are narrowed.
This narrowing or obstruction can resolve, either spontaneously or in response to medication.
Therefore, in asthma, airway obstruction/airflow limitation is reversible.
What is the underlying cause of asthma symptoms?
inflammation of the airways
How does inflammation of the airway cause asthma?
Inflammation of the airway lining affects the lumen size and causes the airway to be highly sensitive.
Sensitive airways are ‘twitchy’ and will narrow easily if exposed to triggers in that individual.
Further narrowing occurs when the smooth muscle surrounding the airways contract.
Asthma symptoms such as cough, wheeze and chest tightness occur when the airways are narrowed.
What tests can be used to support an asthma diagnosis and what is the aim of these tests?
spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO), serial peak flow
The aim of such tests is to demonstrate airway obstruction and reversibility (spirometry) and airway inflammation (FeNO). Serial peak flow demonstrates variability
