Asthma

Question 1

What tests are done to prove it’s Asthma?

Answer 1

Eosinophillic CD4+ lymphocytic airway disease(therefore eosinophils are found in the sputum and biopsy of the airway)

Question 2

What is the outstanding clinical picture of asthma?

Answer 2

Variability of symptoms and abnormal lung function variable (often periods of severe disease and then period of normality or near normal)

Question 3

Extrinsic type of asthma? 1

Answer 3

Most common one and atopy allergy is found here. Affects mostly young people (onset)
SPT = INCREASED IgE

Question 4

Intrinsic type

Answer 4

Mostly older people onset, atopy not a feature

Question 5

Other types

Answer 5

1. Occupational Asthma: signs and symptoms are abrormoll at work however return to normal on weekends or recess. Allergy can be normal

Question 6

Special Asthma groups

Answer 6

1. Excercise induced A
2. Pregnancy
3. Aspirin sensitive
4. Smoking( asmathics who smoke)
   will have increased ige

Question 7

Treatment ( control therapy)

Answer 7

1. Inhaled corticosteroids (ics): this is minimum therapy
2. ICS + LABA (long acting beta agonist) this ideal therapy
3. Oral steroids
4. Oral leukotriens antagonist (weak anti-inflammatory)