Asthma clinical features

Question 1

Similarities of children asthma with adults with asthma (5)

Answer 1

symptoms
common type
same triggers
same treatment 
same pathology

Question 2

where do differences occur in asthma between children and adults? (2)

Answer 2

gender- asthma more common in young boys but in adults more common in women
severe asthma not common in adults past history

Question 3

true or false: Occupational asthma is common

Answer 3

false

Question 4

symptoms of asthma (6)

Answer 4

Panting 
Wheeze 
Cough 
Shortness of breath(dyspnoea) 
Chest tightness 
Sputum occasionally

Question 5

what can trigger asthma (5)

Answer 5

URTI (Upper respiratory tract infections) ie rhinovirus
Exercise 
Allergen 
Cold weather
other: emotion, menstruation

Question 6

Define asthma

Answer 6

A condition which causes airflow obstruction which varies over time and with treatment. Usually appears as a cough or wheeze.
increased responsiveness of trachea and bronchi to stimuli and manifested by widespread narrowing of airways that changes in severity

Question 7

how many UK children have asthma

Answer 7

1 million

Question 8

what happens to airways to create wheeze (3)

Answer 8

Bronchoconstriction
Airway wall thickening
Luminal secretions

Question 9

treatment for asthma

Answer 9

Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for 2 months to see if you have a cure ie to confirm diagnosis

Question 10

no _____ , no ______

Answer 10

no wheeze, no asthma

Question 11

what are the proven risk factors for asthma? (7)

Answer 11

genetic
occupation
smoking
obesity

diet - less salt (sodium) or eating foods rich in oils found in cold-water fish and some nuts and seeds (omega-3 fatty acids) may reduce asthma symptoms

reduced exposure to microbes/microbials products - not building up an immunity
indoor pollution

Question 12

In what way is genetic a risk factor for asthma?

Answer 12

Inherited tendency to IgE response to allergens (anaphylaxis)

Question 13

Why are obese people associated with asthma?

Answer 13

body mass index increases asthma, wheezing and airway hyper-reactivity

not known exactly why but could be the extra weight puts more pressure on the lungs so you are more breathless or increased inflammation around the body

however, asthma would also promote obesity due to decreased activity

Question 14

key features of definition of asthma

Answer 14

increased responsiveness

variability in symptoms

Question 15

why is asthma important

Answer 15

it is very common
dangerous- can be fatal
expensive- strain on healthcare- costs NHS a lot + societal costs too with benefits

Question 16

most adults with asthma tend to be of which gender?

Answer 16

female

Question 17

pathophysiology of asthma

Answer 17

disease of lung airways- inflammation mediated by immune system
causes widespread narrowing of airways and increased airway reactivity.

Question 18

is atopy inheritable?

Answer 18

yes, asthma can be genetic- runs in families

Question 19

what is the most important clinical aspects of asthma

Answer 19

history taking

Question 20

evidence of variable symptoms

Answer 20

asthma is not there everyday
daily - night/morning
weekly- (better at weekends/holidays
seasonal- summer/winter

Question 21

define atopy

Answer 21

an allergic response to an antigen

Question 22

does atopy cause ashtma

Answer 22

no, allergy is associated with asthma however but they are secondary to the same process

Question 23

when does bronchitis reach its peak ie what age

Answer 23

2-3 years of age

Question 24

what is pertussis? describe

Answer 24

whooping cough

can happen at any age, fits, vomit, haematoma (a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues)

Question 25

clinical signs of asthma

Answer 25

Variability of symptoms
Hyper-expanded chest
Breathless on exertion
Different triggers

Question 26

is there a test for asthma?

Answer 26

there is no single diagnostic test or symptom/ pattern of symptoms but there are tests that can be done that give supporting information

Question 27

what does diagnosis by exclusion mean?

Answer 27

asthma used to be diagnosed if there was no other explanation to presented symptoms which meant the figures for people diagnosed in the 80s shot up. This is no longer done.