Asthma Flashcards
how many people worldwide have asthma
300 million
Cause of asthma
-exact cause is unknown
What population is asthma most common?
-females
-African americans
-low income
asthma
A heterogeneous disease, usually characterized by chronic airway
inflammation
asthma symptoms
-wheeze
-shortness of breath
-chest tightness
-cough
asthma triggers
-exercise
-allergens/irritants
-change in weather
-viral respiratory infections
when are asthma symptoms worse
-at night
-early in the morning
-can cause nighttime awakenings
asthma exacerbation
-worsening of asthma symptoms and lung function from baseline
True or False: asthma can be deadly to patients and result in low costs to the healthcare system
False: higher costs in healthcare
airway hyperresponsivness
exaggerated bronchoconstrictor response
airway edema
-mucus hypersecretion
-formation of mucus plugs
is asthma reverisible
-to some degree
-if you use appropriate medications, lung function and symptoms can improve dramatically
-structural changes are irreversible!
diagnosising asthma
-generally multiple respritory symptoms
-symptoms vary over time, worsen at night
-triggers
spirometry
measures airflow limitation
how to perform spirometry test
1-deep breath in
2-seal lips around tube
3-breath out fast and as deeply as possible
4-breath in
-repeat after using SABA(wait 15 min)
what does spirometry measure?
-FEV1
-FVC
-FEV1/FVC=when ratio is reduced, obstruction is airflow
Bronchial challenge
-evaluates airflow variability/reversibility by providing a bronchoconstrictor and assessing impact on airways
is asthma heterogeneous or homogeneous?
hetero
Asthma Control Test (ACT)
-5 question tool for 12+
-lower score=worse symptom control
-<19=uncontrolled
Childhood Asthma Control test (C-ACT_
-ACT but for kids 4-11
-kid does first 4 question
-parent does last 3 questions
- <19=uncontrolled
