Asthma Flashcards
what is the definiton of Asthma ?
airway disease characterized by increased reactvitiy of the tracheobranchial tree to multitude of stimuli
what are the general characterstiscs of asthma ?
intermittent airflow obstruction (heard over exhalation)
airway inflammation
broncjial hyperresponsiveness
what is asthmaticus status ?
a severe persistent obstruction
what happens in asthma?
inflammation
musccle tightening
what are the classic asthma synptoms ?
coughing
wheezing
shortness of breath
chest tightness
What are the key things happening in asthma ?
chronic inflammation
airway remodeling
bronchial hyperreactivity
explain the airway remodeling
edema - swelling and fluiod buildup
subepithelila fibrosis
smooth msucle hypertrophy - tightening
mucus hypersecretion
explain the bronchial hyperreactivity - what happens ?
airways are sensitive to things that normally causes no harm
old air
dust
pollen
exercise
trigger a sudden tightening of the airway muscles (bronchoconstriction), leading to an asthma attack.
what are the causes of asthma
pollution
pets
dust
chemicals
mold
infections
heredity
food
what are the drugs that could cause asthma ?
Aspirin - Beta blockers
NSAIDS - Sulphite
what are the subtypes of asthma
allergic asthma - most common
nonallergic asthma
late onset athma
adult onset eosinophilic asthma - caused by eosinophilic reactions
obisity-associated asthma
what is meant by, asthma is heterogeneous ?
it is not the same in everyone. it has different subtypes, with varying mechanisms and treatments as well as different outcomes
which antioxidant protects the airways from damage?
GSTP1
what is meant by atopy ?
it means that their immune system overreacts to allergens, leading to high levels of IgE antibodies (key players in allergic reactions)
explain the chronologic event of asthma when exposed to allergen
allergen encounter -> dendritic cell captures the allergen, present it to TH2 helper -> TH2 activation releasing IL4,IL5,IL13 -> IL4 stimulates IgE attach to mast cells, IL5 activates eosinophils –> then splits into early responds and late responds
explain the early allergic response
allergen binds to IgE on mast cells, causing the release of histamine and inflammatory mediators (leukotrienes, prostagladin D2) causing
- bronbchospasm
edema
obstruction
within 20 min
explain the late allergic response
the activated eosinophils migrate to the airways an release
- cytokines - promotors of inflammation
leukotrienes - airway narrowing and inflammation
basic proteins - dagame to the lining
leads to:
- airway inflammation
- onstruction
hyper-responsiveness
6-12 hours
what are the differences between COPD and asthma
reversibility - asthma usually reversible with treatment
underlying cause - primarily dirven by inflammation and allergic reactions, COPD is mainly caused by smoking and lung irritants
explain the subtype severe adult-onset asthma with eosinophilia
- develops late in life, charaterized by high level of eosinophilia
often non-allergic - often without a strong allergic component
treatment - need stron midciations glucocorticoids
what are nonallergic asthma associated with?
nasal polyposis, aspirin sensitivity
normal serum IgE
IgE levels increased in bronchial wall
what are the cough variant in asthma
chronic cough diagnosis requires documentation of bronchial hyperreactivity
explain the exercise induced bronchospams in asthma
acute
measureble airway obstruction
occurs in response to exercise
explain the significance of occupational asthma
15 % of adult astma is work-related
typical sensitizing agents
high molecular weight substances
- animal and plant hair
- latex
- grains
what are the asthma etiology regarding hygiene and diet?
absence of minor infections in childhood
decrease vitamina A, polyunsaturated omega 3 fatty acids
- Vitamin D def, Mg, Ca
- excess sodium
- obesity
