Asthma Flashcards
A respiratory disease characterized by recurrent reversible obstruction to airflow in the bronchiolar airways
asthma
Symptoms such as chest tightness, wheeze and cough, together with bronchial hyperresponsiveness
Asthma
Most common chronic disease in children, prevalence of 83 cases/1000 and affecting 6 million children
ashma
5 things with the pathophys of asthma
Airflow obstruction Bronchospasm, edema Bronchial hyperresponsiveness (BHR) Airways inflammation Chronic inflammation may lead to airway remodeling
what 4 things do inflammation cause in asthma
Inflammation causes recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness and coughing
2 phases of asthma attacks
Immediate and late phase
what occurs Occurs on exposure to eliciting stimulus
Consists mainly of bronchospasm.
Bronchodilators are effective in this early phase
Immediate-phase response
what occurs Several hours later
Consists of bronchospasm, vasodilatation, edema and mucous secretion
Caused by inflammatory mediators and neuropeptides released from axon reflexes
Anti-inflammatory drug action needed for prevention and treatment.
late-phase response
what are allergen environmental triggers of asthma?
dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, pollens, molds, viral URIs
what are non-allergen environmental triggers of asthma
smoke, acid reflux, weather changes (cold air), exercise, occurs at night, occupational irritants/chemical irritants, drugs
what are Co-morbid conditions with asthma
allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, GERD, depression
what drugs may trigger asthma
Cardioselective and non-selective Beta Blockers, Calcium antagonists, Dipyridamole, NSAID’s
what symp of acute and subacute asthma exacerbation?
Shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and chest tightness
Can be combination of symptoms
Decreases in expiratory airflow
what kind of WBCs are found in the airways of asthmatics with a little less sudden onset - hours to days
Eosinophils
what kind of WBCs are found in the airways of asthmatics with a sudden onset less than 6 hours
neurtophils
what are PE findings that may indicate asthma?
Hyperexpansion of the thorax
Sounds of wheezing
Increased nasal secretion, mucosal swelling and nasal polyps
Atopic dermatits/eczema
what is FVC?
Forced vital capacity (FVC)
Total amount of air that can be exhaled
what is FEV1?
Forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1)
Volume of air exhaled during the first second
what are the goals of tx in asthma?
To achieve and maintain clinical control
Minimal or no chronic symptoms day or night
Minimal or no exacerbations
No limitations on activities; no school missed
Maintain (near) normal pulmonary function
Minimal use of short-acting inhaled beta-2 agonist (< 2 days/week)
Minimal or no adverse effects from medications
what 6 classes of drugs are for use in LTC of asthma
Corticosteroids: inhaled (ICS) and systemic Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABA) Leukotriene modifiers Methylxanthines Cromolyn Anti IgE
what 3 classes of drugs are used in quick relief of asthma?
Short-acting beta2-agonists (SABA)
Anticholinergics
Systemic corticosteroids
what are the 3 Major advantages of inhaled therapy
deliver drugs directly to the airways
deliver higher drug concentrations locally
minimize systemic side effects
what are nebulizers for? 4
Convert a solution of drug into aerosol for inhalation
Used to deliver higher doses of drug to the lungs
Are more efficient than inhalers
Used in hospitals for status asthmaticus and treatment of severe asthma
what is the MOA of ICS?
depress the inflammatory response and edema in the respiratory tract and diminish bronchial hyper-responsiveness.
- Reduced mucous production
- Decreased local generation of prostaglandins and leukotrienes, with less inflammatory cell activation
- Adrenoceptor up-regulation
- Long-term reduced eosinophil and mast-cell infiltration of bronchial mucosa.