Asthma Flashcards
What is Asthma according to canadian thoracic society?
“Asthma is an
1) inflammatory disorder of the airways
2)characterized by paroxysmal or persistent symptoms
3)such as dyspnea, chest tightness, wheezing, sputum
production and cough, 4)associated with variable airflow limitation and
5)a variable degree of hyperresponsiveness of airways to endogenous or
exogenous stimuli.”
characteristics of asthma
Characterized by bronchial hyperreactivity
reversible airflow obstruction, usually in response to to an allergen (Type I hypersensitivity reaction)
what are the Anatomic Alterations of the Lungs
-bronchospasm
- excessive production of thick, white bronchial secretion
- mucous plugging ( excessive, tenacious mucous secretion blocks or “plugs” the airway lumen)
- hyperinflation
- In severe cases, atelectasis caused by mucous
plugging
- Bronchial wall inflammation leading to fibrosis
What is the cause of asthma
Genetic susceptibility to allergens, RTI, occupational
and environmental stimuli
trigger leads to
- Airway inflammation
- bronchial hypereactivity
What are Risk Factors for Asthma
Family (parents or siblings) with Hx
Personal Hx of allergic disease
*trigger can impact development at any age
What is extrinscic factor
most frequently caused by an allergy (allergic asthma)
caused by environment or occupation
What is intrinsic factor
no specific cause can be ID
usually no personal or family Hx of atopy/allergy
it is most common later in life
What are some host risk factor for developing asthma?
Genetics Emergency C Section Gender(male↑in childhood) Atopy Hypersensitivity
What are some environmental risk factor for asthma
Indoor/outdoor allergens Air pollution Socio economic status Family size Obesity Hygiene hypothesis
What is Atopy
genetic predisposition of an
individual to produce high quantities of IgE in
response to allergens in the environment . It is a response to allergens in the environment . It is a
condition for the devpt of allergy
What is hygiene hypothesis
: children in a critical stage of
devpt of immune system who are not exposed to
typical infectious agents may more frequently
develop asthma
the relationship between asthma and age group
School Age (6-12 years): atopy is a risk factor
Adolescents (13-18): with endocrine changes
more females develop, causing a shift in the
male to female ratio, decreasing non atopic
Adult: can develop asthma at any age but
What are the peak season of asthma
1) december
2) 3rd wk of school
3) 39 days
4) 52 days
5) a September spikes happens in all age group
how to classify triggers in asthma
inflammatory & non-inflammatory
allergens & irritants
What is the effect of inflammatory trigger ?
- Last longer without tx than non inflammatory
2.May not cause symptoms until hrs/days after
3.Can cause symptoms which may take days to
weeks to resolve
- induce inflammation
how does a trigger cause allergic reaction?
Allergens cause the allergic cascade of events
linked with antigens and production of IgE
- a combination of immune mediators cause inflammation
–>Eosinophils, mast cells, neutrophils, macrophages
releasing histamine & leukotrienes have been
–>cytokines: IL-4, 3,5,13 responsible for
modulating inflammatory and immune cell
What are the non-inflammatory triggers of asthma
- Cold, dry air
2.Weather conditions
3.Physical activity (EIA)
4.Certain Drugs
5.Food additives
6.Hormonal changes
perimenstrual )
What are the inflammatory triggers of asthma
1.Aeroallergens (animals, house dust mites, cockroach, molds & pollens) 2.Viral Infections 3.Occupational sensitizers 4.Second hand smoke 5.Endotoxin
What is the deal with IgE
If you have an allergy, your immune system overreacts to an allergen by producing antibodies called Immunoglobulin E (IgE)
Ige mediates mediates mast cell degranulation
–>release of histamine, prostaglandins, leukotrienes
chemotactic(substance cellular locomotion) factors cause infiltration of neutrophils, eosinophils and lymphocytes
lead to inflammatory response
- ->bronchoconstriction
- ->edema
- ->increase vascular permeasbility
- ->thick secretion
what are the 3 stages of extrinsic allergy responses
Early: within minutes and resolves in an hour
late: several hrs after exposure but lasts
longer. May or many not follow an early
response
*more severe and long lasting
BiPhasic: an early response followed by a late
response
What are the Overall Management of Asthma?
- Confirm the diagnosis & history with PFT’s for
objective measures - Self Management Education
- Determine minimum medication for control
4.Ensure regular reassessment of asthma
control & follow up
Signs & Symptoms of Asthma
- Frequent episodes of breathlessness, chest
tightness, wheezing or cough - Symptoms worse at night and in the early morning
- Symptoms develop with viral respiratory tract
infection, after exercise, or exposure to aero
allergens or irritants - Symptoms develop in young children after playing
or laughing - Symptoms improve with bronchodilators or
corticosteroids
What is the main goal of asthma managment
- Control the disease and symptoms
- Prevent exacerbations and minimize risks for
short and long term complications morbidity
and mortality
control of daytime symptoms
< 4 days/week