Asthma Flashcards
What is asthma?
a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the bronchioles
Why does breathing become difficult in asthma?
when asthma is triggered the tissue of the bronchioles swells and bronchioles fill with mucus. Spasming of bronchiole smooth muscle (bronchospasm) cause further narrowing of the airway. Overall narrowing leads to difficulty exhaling
List some potential triggers to asthma
- smoke exposure
- exercise
- polluted air
- inhaling respiratory irritants (e.g. perfume, cleaning products)
- breathing allergens (e.g. mold, dust, animal dander)
- super respiratory infections
- exposure to cold or dry weather
- emotional excitement or stress
What are some risk factors or other conditions that increase the likelihood of a person having asthma?
hay fever and other allergies, eczema, and genetic predispositions
What are the main symptoms of asthma?
wheezing, breathlessness, tight chest, coughing, difficulty speaking
what are the types of preventer and controller medications typically prescribed to people with asthma?
Long acting beta-agonists and inhaled corticosteroids
What are the types of reliever medication often used by people suffering asthma?
short-acting beta agonists and anticholinergics
in basic terms how do long acting beta agonists work?
they work by causing bronchodilator to open airways and reduce resistance to air flow. They can also work to reduce inflammation but do nothing to treat the cause of an asthma attack
what are some examples of long-acting beta-agonists that might be seen on road?
salmeterol and formoterol
What are beta-2 adrenergic receptors responsible for and where are they found?
beta-2 receptors are predominately found in the smooth muscle of the airways. When activated by an agonist beta-2 receptors cause bronchcodilation, hence their use in the treatment of asthma and COPD
what are the side effects of non-selective beta-2 agonists?
As beta-1 receptors are found in areas outside of the lungs (heart, ) side effects include responses from these areas e.g. tachycardia, tremors, sweating - essentially expected sympathetic stimulation)
What short-acting beta-agonist is commonly administered on road and why?
Salbutamol is administered within SAAS, as it is a short-acting beta agonist it has a rapid onset and works to bronchodilate
What is an anticholinergic?
muscarinic receptor antagonists, essentially blocking the binding of acetylcholine to muscarinic receptors
Acetylcholine
- what is it?
- what does it do?
- where is it released from?
- why does it cause an issue in asthma is present if everybody?
- Acetylcholine is a neurotransmitter
- One of its primary roles in the causing of asthma is it’s binding with muscarinic receptors. This binding causing parasympathetic effects such as bronchocstriction, increased mucous production, inflammation and airway remodelling
- released from airway neurone, non-neuronal cells including epithelial calls and inflammatory cells
- inflammatory response in asthma increases ACh production
Muscarinic receptors
- what kind of receptor are they?
- where are they found?
- what is their primary response?
- what molecule most acts upon them?
G-coupled protein receptors that are found throughout the body, including in the pulmonary system. They are responsible primarily for parasympathetic responses, including bronchoconstriction, and are activated by the molecule acetylcholine.
Provide an overview of the pathophysiology that occurs in allergic asthma
