Asthma

Question 1

Asthma

Answer 1

Airway is constricted, smaller lumen. Exhalation is hard due to narrowed airway.
Triggers - smoke, food, allergens, pollution.
Lung sounds - wheezing

Question 2

Asthma Pathophysiology

Answer 2

Airway has a layer of mucosa and smooth muscle . In asthma, smooth muscle layer in bigger and mucosa layer gets swollen up, secreting lots of mucus in lumen, the lumen is very small. To fight off an allergen immune system activates IgE which is paired with Mast cells. Mast cells have histamine in it. Histamine release causes allergic reaction.

Question 3

Asthma diagnosis

Answer 3

Gold standard testing- Methacholine test (Methacoline is inhaled, controls smooth muscle for a normal person, for asthma patient lumen really shortens and mucus production occurs
PFT - spirometer y, check sfor amount of exhaled air, normal reading > 80 %, obstructive diseases (asthma) patient - <80 %
Peak flow - test for patient with Asthma. Normal reading - 80-100 %, ok reading - 50-80 %, patient have sx- coughing, SOB, medication is given to open airway, alarming - <50 %, referred to ED.
CXR- for asthma the CXR will be clear
Stress test - to see patient reacts upon exercising
Nitric oxide - shows if an aerosol treatment is working for patient or not. If airways dilate upon no inhalation then steroids treatments are given.

Question 4

Asthma severity

Answer 4

Intermittent - less than 2x a week. Mild - more than 2x a week. Moderate - daily, severe - bad sx everyday

Question 5

Asthma shortens

Answer 5

Beta 2 agonist rescue inhaler, nebulizer, IV steroids, Mg SO4-, epinephrine, CPAP, BIPAP, O2, Intubation (breathing tube inserted into lung for artificial respiration )

Question 6

Asthma long term treatment

Answer 6

Steroids, Leukotriene inhibitor (end product of inflammation , bronchodilators - Beta agonist, Theophylline.