Asthma Flashcards
What is asthma?
a disease characterise by an increased responsiveness of the airways to various stimuli and manifested by a widespread narrowing of the airways that changes in severity either spontaneously or as a result of therapy
What is the main symptom of asthma?
Wheezing
Is asthma restrictive or obstructive?
Obstructive
What is COPD?
Chronic, slowly progressive disorder that is characterised by airflow obstruction - does not change markedly over several months
Is asthma triggered by a stimulus or spontaneously?
Can be either
Is the airflow obstruction in asthma reversible?
Yes
If there is no wheeze can it be asthma?
No
What is dyspnoea?
Shortness of breath
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Wheeze Short of breath Severity chest tightness Cough (usually dry) Sputum occasionally
Is asthma more common in boys or girls?
Boys
Is asthma more common in men or women?
Women
What is the prevalence of asthma in children?
10-15%
What is the prevalence of asthma in adults?
5-10%
What is wheezing?
A whistling sounds that occurs during breathing when the airways are narrowed
What is the character of a cough in asthma?
Dry
What are some potential triggers of asthma?
Exercise Cold air Smoke Perfume Grass pollen Pets
What are the obs taken in a patient with suspected asthma?
Ability to speak
Heart rate
Respiratory rate
O2 saturation
What is bronchospasm?
When the smooth muscle of the airways contract therefore narrowing the airways
What is bronchiectasis?
The abnormal widening of one or more airways
In bronchiectasis what is extra produced?
Extra mucus
Prone to infection
What other conditions can wheezing occur in?
Cystic fibrosis
An infection in the respiratory tract
Bronchiolitis
Bronchiectasis
What is peak flow investigation?
Patients are given a peak flow meter to use at home to encourage self monitoring
Record a peak flow diary
Doctor looks at the diary and looks to see if the range is out with 15%
In moderate asthma what is the PERF?
> 50-75%
In acute severe asthma what is the PERF?
33-50%
In life threatening asthma what is the PERF?
Less than 33%
Essentially None
Test not possible
As the person will not be able to breathe out
What are some of the symptoms of acute severe asthma?
Heart rate >110 bpm
Inability to complete sentences in one breath
What are the clinical signs of life threatening asthma?
Altered consciousness Exhaustion Hypotension Cyanosis Silent chest Poor respiratory effort
What are the similarities between COPD and asthma?
Both involve small airways and cause airflow limitation
Both result from environment interaction
Both are usually characterised by mucus and bronchoconstriction
Why is asthma so important?
Because so many people suffer from the condition
Is asthma chronic or a one off condition?
Chronic