Asthma Flashcards
condition that makes it hard to exhale all of the air in the lungs
asthma
other obstructive lung diseases
COPD (emphysema and chronic bronchitis)
bronchiectasis
CF
is asthma acute or chronic
chronic
is asthma reviersible or irreversible?
reversible
what is the most chronic disease of childhood?
asthma
signs/symptoms of asthma
wheezing coughing SOB chest tightness/pain other non-specific symptoms in infants/young children
Hx of the following in young children with asthma
recurrent bronchitis pneumonia recurrent croup bronchiolitis persistent cough/cold
the problem in asthma
airway remodeling after long term unresolved inflammation
airway remodeling in asthma
increased airway wall thickness that involves both smooth muscle and collagen tissue
increase mucous glands and mucus production
increased vascularity or blood blood supply in the airways
pathophys of asthma
airway inflammation –> bronchial hyperresponsive –> persistent airflow obstruction
step 1 airway inflammation
mast cell, eosinophil, and T-lymphocyte infiltration
mucus hypersecretion
desquamation of epithelium
smooth muscle hyperplasia
main inflammatory cells of asthma
mast cells eosinophils T lymphocytes >100 inflammatory mediators chemokines cytokines histamines
how does mediator release occur
Chemically-rich mast cells that line the bronchial mucus membranes release histamine or other mediators which causes bronchospasm and bronchial inflammation
step 2: bronchial hyperresponsiveness
hyperinflation compensates for inflammation
result is alveolar hypeventilation and air trapping
step 3: persistent airflow obstruction
chronic mucous plug formation (exudate of serum proteins and cell debris) airway remodeling (structural changes due to long-standing inflammation)
risk factors for asthma
males childhood asthma evironmental allergens/pollutants (dust mites, cat & dog, fungi, tobacco smoke) viral respiratory tract infections exercise, hyperventilation GERD chronic sinusitis/rhinitis African American ASA/NSAID hypersensitivity medication use (tylenol, abx, beta blockers) obesity emotional factors/stress irritants perinatal factors (prematurity and prenatal exposure to maternal smoking)
ASA induced asthma
triad: atopy, nasal polyps, ASA sensitivity
when is ASA induced asthma experienced?
30s-40s
signs/symptoms of ASA asthma
rhinorrhea
conjunctival irritation
flushing of head/neck
treatment of ASA asthma
avoidance
leukotriene antagonist
why does GERD induce asthma
presence of acid in distal esophagus
mediated via vagal nerve increases airway resistance and reactivity
how much more likely are pts who have asthma to have gerd?
3x
how to treat gerd induced asthma?
treat GERD
when is rhinovirus a risk factor for wheezing?
infancy