Drug control in asthma Flashcards
What is asthma?
Recurrent reversible obstruction of airflow in airways in response to non-noxious stimuli
Difficulty in breathing; wheezing; cough
What are reasons in having asthma?
Genetically susceptibility Trigger also required Allergic in >30% Post-viral (after infection) Psychogenic (e.g. stress can be an asthma trigger)
How many people are being treated for asthma in Scotland?
390,00
How many deaths a day are caused by asthma in the UK?
5 deaths/day (2000/yr)
What is extrinsic asthma?
Atopic, allergic
What is intrinsic asthma?
Non-atopic, non-allergic
What are triggers of asthma?
Pollen Dust Animal hair Sting Aspirin Cold air Irritant chemicals Pollutants
What is the immune system?
Guards against bacteria, viruses, cancer and parasites. Normally a protective mechanisms
What is an antigen?
Protein or modified protein
How is antibody synthesis induced?
By monocytes (blood) macrophages, lymphocytes, mast cells- IgE
What is the equation for the immune reaction?
A/g + A/b –> immune reaction
What does cell-fixed a/b provide?
Recognition
Anchor
Trigger
What chemical mediators (cytokines) are released by the cell?
Interleukins Prostaglandins (PG) --> recruit other cells to the site of infection Leukotrienes (LT) Thromboxanes (Tx) Histamine Platelet activating factor )PAF)
What are the effects of cytokine mediators?
Vasodilation
Pain/itch
Oedema- fluid leaks out of tissue, causes congestion
Smooth muscle contraction- contraction of bronchioles
What is an allergy?
An inappropriate immune response
Form of reaction, mediators involved, vary in different tissues
What are some effects of an allergic reaction?
Skin- rash, itch
Gut- vomitting
Eyes, nose- hypersecretion
What are the stages of asthma?
Intermediate
Late
What is the intermediate stage of asthma?
Bronchoconstriction (airways constrict), may or may not be vasodilation
Anaphylaxis leads to death
What are the late stages of asthma?
Oedema–> congestion
Hyper secretion –> mucus
Inflammatory cells
Bronchoconstriction and hyperreactivity
What does is mean if there is an increase in FEV1 in lungs?
Treatment is working, lungs are getting better