asthma Flashcards
obstructive or restrictive?
reversible bronchospasm resulting in airway obstruction
what is asthma
Asthma may be defined as a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways secondary to hypersensitivity
eosinophilic or neutrophilic inflammation
eosinophilic
what is childhood asthma often accompanied by
eczema
when does intrinsic asthma often start
middle age - aspirin induced
cough
worse at night - diruinal variability
CF
cough
wheeze
dyspnoea
symptoms of acute asthma attach
cant complete sentences
hear rate >110
PEFR <50
RR >25
what is confusion a sign of
life threatening asthma
when is the wheeze heard
expiration
what is a Polyphonic wheeze heard in
small airway obstruction eg asthma, bronchiolitis
pathology
hypersecretion of mucus, mucociliary function alteration, inc SM responsiveness
what are teh hallmarks of remodelling
thickened basement membrane
collagen deposition in submucosa
SM hypertrophy
what can the bronchial challenge test be performed with
metacholine, histamine or mannitol
what does the bronchial challenge test do
o Provoke bronchoconstriction, the degree of narrowing can be measured by spirometry
o People with pre-existing airway hyperactivity will react to lower doses of drug
