Skin & Respiratory Systems

Question 1

What is asthma?

Answer 1

A chronic respiratory disorder, characterised by variable airway obstruction and hyper responsiveness to stimuli.

Question 2

What causes the airways to narrow in asthma?

Answer 2

Bronchial smooth muscle spasm
Swelling of bronchial mucosa
Excess viscous mucus secretion

Question 3

What are symptoms of asthma?

Answer 3

Wheeze
Intermittent shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Dry cough

Question 4

What are signs of an asthma attack?

Answer 4

Initially shortness of breath, coughing, chest tightness
Itching of the neck or chest (esp children)
Wheezing when breathing out
Can last minutes, hours or days
Dry cough at night or while exercising

Question 5

What is the pathophysiology of Asthma?

Answer 5

Mediated by IgE and precipitated by an allergic response to an allergen

Leads to release of inflammatory mediators (histamine, leukotomies & prostaglandins) which cause a bronchospasm. Triggering an asthmatic attack