PBL 5 Flashcards
Define aspergilus antibodies
this is a laboratory test performed on your blood, it is ordered when the doctor thinks that you have an infection caused by fungus asperigillus, it is usally treated with prescription antifungal medication
define eczema
this is a condition where patches of skin become inflamed, itchy, red, cracked and rough
define PEF
this is the normal peak expiratory flow, this is when you take your PEF regularly and keep a record of it therefore when you see changes in it or feel your asthma getting worse you can see how your peak flow changes
define nebulisation
this is a piece of medical equipment that a person with asthma or other respiratory conditions can use to administer medication quickly to lungs, it turns liquid medicine to fine mist that a person can inhale through a face mask or mouthpiece
define asthma
this is a chronic inflammatory airway disorder, it is marked by airway hyperresponsiveness with recurrent episodes of wheezing, coughing, tightness of the chest and shortness of breath
describe the 3 characteristics of asthma
- airflow limitations
- airway hyper-responsiveness
- inflammation of the bronchi with eosinophils, t lymphocytes and mast cells
what is atopic asthma
- begins in childhood and is linked to triggers such as allergens that can cause release of excessive IgE
- this causes inflammation mediates to trigger airway inflammation and bronchoconstriction
what do the eosinophils do in the bronchial wall
- they release substances such s histamine, and leukotrienes which cause bronchoconstriction and cause the formation of a mucus plug
what is the difference between asthma and COPD
- Asthma has variability in obstruction to airflow and responds to broncho dilators
- COPD there is fixed airway. narrowing with reduced FEV1/FVCC and less than 15% response to bronchodilator
what are the potential causes and risk factors of asthma
- Obesity – reasons are unclear but some people think it is due to low-grade inflammation in the body that occurs with extra weight
- Air pollution – exposure to the main component of smog (ozone) raises the risk of asthma
- Smoking – cigarette smoke irritates the airways, smokers have a high risk of asthma
- Occupational exposures – exposures to certain elements in the workplace which can cause asthma symptom
- Allergies – having an allergic condition such as atopic dermatitis or alleric rhinitis
- Viral respiratory infections – respiratory problems during infancy and childhood can cause wheezing some children whoe xpericne viral respiratory infections go on to develop chronic asthma
- Family history – if you have a parent with asthma you are three to 6 times more likely to develop asthma
- Occurs more frequently in boys than in girls
- Maternal smoking during pregnancy appears to result in lower lung function in infants compared to those whose mothers did not smoke
- Hygeine hypothesis
- damp houses
what are the three types of inhalers
- These help relive symptoms when they occur – reliver inhalers
- Stop symptoms developing – preventer inhalers
- Some need both – combination inhalers
how do ICS work
– they suppress inflammation mainly by switching off multiple activated inflammatory genes through reversing histone acetylation via the recruitment of HDAC2
- ICS (also known as glucorticoid steroids) reduces airway hyperresponsiveness and controls asthma symptoms
- ICS is first line therapy for all patients with persistent astha
- Inhaled long acting beta 2 agonist are added to ICS to further improve asthma control and are given as combination inahlers, these imrpvoe compliance and control asthma at lower does of corticosteroids, ICS provide much less clinical benefit in COPD and the inflammation is resistant due to the action of corticosteroids
- Improves the FVC, FEV1/FVC and PEF
how do SABAs work
– these work fast to relax the muscles of the airways, they are a beta 2 agonist and prevent them from getting to tight, they relieve asthma symptoms from 3 to 6 hours, this can be salbutamol, works within 5 minutes, they do not control inflammatory processes, used for mild to intermittent asthma, once using them for more than 2 a week you should go onto a ICS or LABA to control the inflammation
- blocks parasympathetic activity
How does a nebuliser work
– necessary in severe asthma as the uptake form inflaers is low and not adqqeuate to reduce bronchoconstriction
how does LABA work
– long acting beta 2 agonist, haa a duration of action of 12 hours which is longer than the SABA, shouldn’t be used on there own should be used with an ICS
what is salbutamol
beta 2 agonist can also affect the heart
what is combination inhalers
theses are LABAs and ICS combined