Introduction to respiratory systems Flashcards
Which part of the respiratory anatomy are medicines used to treat asthma/COPD working on?
bronchioles and the alveoli
are the bronchi symmetrical?
no, the right is more vertical and shorter and wider
what happens when excitatory of the nerves and vaguest nerves occurs?
bronchoconstriction
what happens when inhibitory nerves and circulating epinephrine occurs?
bronchodilation
what are the 2 different autonomic nervous systems?
sympathetic and parasympathetic
What effects how easily air flows into your lungs?
The relaxation/contraction of circular smooth muscle lining the “airways’” determines how easily airflow can occur (bronchodilation vs. bronchoconstriction)
where does most gas exchange occur?
in the alveolar sacs
how is the airway diameter increased and therefore reduced airway resistance?
Sympathetic impulses innervate the adrenal gland which secretes epinephrine into
circulation, binding to adrenergic receptors on airway smooth muscle cells,
causing smooth muscle relaxation, increasing airway diameter and reducing
airway resistance.
what is NANC?
non adrenergic non cholinergic (NANC) nerves, they can also be inhibitaors
how is the airways of the smooth muscle narrowed and increased constriction?
Parasympathetic cholinergic fibers innervate airway smooth
muscle, mucous glands and pulmonary blood vessels. This causes airway smooth
muscle contraction, narrowing airways and also increases production of mucous
glycoproteins.
what kind of receptors does bronchoconstriction occur at?
muscarnic receptors
what kind of receptors does bronchodilation occur at?
adrenergic receptors
For asthma treatment would you expect to use an agonist or antagonist at adrenergic receptors?
agonist
For asthma treatment would you expect to use an agonist or antagonist at muscarinic receptors?
antagoist
what are some of the early pathophysiology of asthma?
- hypersenitivity
- hypersecretion of mucous
- bronchoconstriction
what are some of the later pathophysiology of asthma?
- bronchoconstriction
- cellular infiltration
- loss of cillary function
what is COPD the umberlla term for which 2 diseases?
- chronic bronctis
- emphysema
what is emphysema?
the breakdown of the walls of the aveoli
what is chronic bronchitisi?
infflammtaion and excess mucus in the bronchioles
drugs used to treat asthma- bronchodilators?
• Beta-agonists – Short acting(SABA) – Long acting(LABA) • Antimuscarinics (SAMA/LAMA) • Xanthines
drugs to treat asthma- anti-inflammatories?
• Corticosteroids • Leukotriene modifiers • Anti IgE antibody • Sodium cromoglycate
what is asthma?
- a an inflammatory disease
- characterised by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing
- The airway obstruction is mostly reversible with treatment or spontaneously
what is COPD?
- disease characterised by airflow obstruction which is usually progressive, not fully reversible. Airflow obstruction is due to airway and parenchyma damage and the result of chronic inflammation that differs from asthma.
what is the aetiology (cause) of asthma? enviornmental?
Allergens Pollutants Tobacco smoke Infections (RTIs) Diet Drugs Obesity
what is the aetiology? host?
Genetic predisposition Age Atopy Airway hypersensitivity Gender Ethnicity
air pollution
biomass and developing countries
what is spirometry?
monitor lung function and diagnoses respiratory condition. it measures air expelled from the lungs
what are some non-pharmaceutical interventions?
- reduce exposure to triggers= house dust mite
- stop smoking
- weight loss
- breathing exercises
what is Anti-alpha trypsin deficiency?
it is a cause of COPD
Anti alpha trypsin: anti-protease enzyme found in the serum which inhibits neutrophil elastase • Elastase breaks down extracellular matrix leading to lung damage and alveolar collapse • Point mutations produce abnormalities in the protein so that it is unable to leave the liver and therefore is not present in the lung and can also cause liver damage
what are the clinical features of emphysema?
increasing dyspnea even at rest
bronchial infection less common
minimal cough
Patients tend to hyperventilate to compensate for hypoxia, appearing pink with little CO2 retention. They are often thin with pursed lips in an effort to compensate for lack of elastic recoil.
what are the clinical features of chronic bronchitisis
Excess mucous production Broncho spasm Wheeze and dyspnoea Hypoxia and hypercapnia
Patients often have a productive cough, are overweight, dyspneaon physical exertion. Retain CO2 and lose ability to increase the rate and depth of ventilation.
