Asthma clinical features Flashcards
Similarities of children asthma with adults with asthma (5)
symptoms common type same triggers same treatment same pathology
where do differences occur in asthma between children and adults? (2)
gender- asthma more common in young boys but in adults more common in women
severe asthma not common in adults past history
true or false: Occupational asthma is common
false
symptoms of asthma (6)
Panting Wheeze Cough Shortness of breath(dyspnoea) Chest tightness Sputum occasionally
what can trigger asthma (5)
URTI (Upper respiratory tract infections) ie rhinovirus Exercise Allergen Cold weather other: emotion, menstruation
Define asthma
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
how many UK children have asthma
1 million
what happens to airways to create wheeze (3)
Bronchoconstriction
Airway wall thickening
Luminal secretions
treatment for asthma
Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) for 2 months to see if you have a cure ie to confirm diagnosis
no _____ , no ______
no wheeze, no asthma
what are the proven risk factors for asthma? (7)
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
In what way is genetic a risk factor for asthma?
Inherited tendency to IgE response to allergens (anaphylaxis)
Why are obese people associated with asthma?
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
key features of definition of asthma
increased responsiveness
variability in symptoms
why is asthma important
it is very common
dangerous- can be fatal
expensive- strain on healthcare- costs NHS a lot + societal costs too with benefits
most adults with asthma tend to be of which gender?
female
pathophysiology of asthma
disease of lung airways- inflammation mediated by immune system
causes widespread narrowing of airways and increased airway reactivity.
is atopy inheritable?
yes, asthma can be genetic- runs in families
what is the most important clinical aspects of asthma
history taking
evidence of variable symptoms
asthma is not there everyday
daily - night/morning
weekly- (better at weekends/holidays
seasonal- summer/winter
define atopy
an allergic response to an antigen
does atopy cause ashtma
no, allergy is associated with asthma however but they are secondary to the same process
when does bronchitis reach its peak ie what age
2-3 years of age
what is pertussis? describe
whooping cough
can happen at any age, fits, vomit, haematoma (a solid swelling of clotted blood within the tissues)
clinical signs of asthma
Variability of symptoms
Hyper-expanded chest
Breathless on exertion
Different triggers
is there a test for asthma?
there is no single diagnostic test or symptom/ pattern of symptoms but there are tests that can be done that give supporting information
what does diagnosis by exclusion mean?
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.
