Asthma

Question 1

What is asthma?

Answer 1

a disease characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person. In an individual, they may occur from hour to hour and day to day.
This condition is due to inflammation of the air passages in the lungs and affects the sensitivity of the nerve endings in the airways so they become easily irritated. In an attack, the lining of the passages swell causing the airways to narrow and reducing the flow of air in and out of the lungs.

Question 2

Asthma triggers

Answer 2

Mould
Pet dander
Dust mites
Colds
Strong smells
Pollen
Cockroaches
Weather
Smoke
Exercise
Air pollution

Question 3

asthma phenotypes

Answer 3

T2-type asthma
= allergic asthma, exercise induced asthma and late-onset eosinophilic asthma

Non T2-type asthma
= obesity associated asthma, very late onset asthma, smooth muscle mediated paucigranulocytic asthma

Question 4

Objective Measurements

Answer 4

Bloods
Sputum
PEFR diary
FeNO
CT
Bronchoscopy

Question 5

Main phenotypes

Answer 5

Eosinophilic
Atopic
Neutrophilic

Question 6

Acute Management

Answer 6

Oxygen
Nebs
Steroids
IV Mg2+
IV Aminophylline
ICU
ECMO

Question 7

Chronic Management

Answer 7

Steroid inhalers
Take the steroid inhalers
Remind patient to keep taking steroid inhalers
Inhaler technique
Stop smoking
Remove the cat

Question 8

Severe Asthma

Answer 8

Approx 8%
2 or more courses of steroids/yr or maintenance
Life threatening symptoms
Bronchial thermoplasty
Biologic injections