Asthma Flashcards
What is asthma?
Asthma is a common lung disorder in which inflammation causes the bronchi to swell and narrow the airways, creating breathing difficulties that may range from mild to life-threatening.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Shortness of breath
Coughing
Wheezing
Chest tightness
What are the two different types of asthma?
Extrinsic and Intrinsic
Describe extrinsic asthma
IgE Dependant
Caused by dust mites, pollen, cat dancer and mould.
Known as ‘allergic asthma’
Describe intrinsic asthma
IgE Independent
Caused by infection, exercise, stress and weather conditions
Describe what’s happens to asthmatic airways
Person who is overly sensitive has their airways inflamed. Causing swelling of the airways, narrowing the tubes making it difficult to breath. Body produces excess mucus impairing breathing. This then decreases the amount of air going in to the lungs. Inflammation is similar in extrinsic and intrinsic asthma. In both the immune system releases T cell and mast cells, both also involve production of IgE immunoglobulin locally within the airway. Extrinsic asthma overreacts the harmless bits. IgE is a suppressant and an immune response.
Explain the pathophysiology of asthma?
- Mast cell degranulation and eosinophils infiltrate.
- This results in smooth muscle hypertrophy.
- Hyperplasia of goblet cells takes place
- Leading to fibrosis of the bronchial walls.
- Mucous production is increased
- Therefore thickening the airway lining
- Causing inflammation
- Thus causing bronchoconstriction
How do you diagnose asthma?
Patient should undergo a lung function test (spirometer) and shows signs of SoB, chest tightness, trouble sleeping, coughing, wheezing, attacks (worsened by cold or the flu)
How do you treat asthma?
Non-pharmaceutical;
- Avoid asthmogenic activities
- Avoid humid and warmer environment
- Avoid covering face
- Minimise physical activity during high pollution
- Use refractory period
- Ensure good warm up practise
Pharmaceutical;
- Beta2 agonist
- Corticosteroids
