asthma clinical features COPY Flashcards
(42 cards)
what’s the definition of asthma?
A disease characterised by an increased responsiveness of the trachea and bronchi to various stimuli and manifested by a widespread narrowing of airways that changes in severity either spontaneously or as a result of therapy
what are the proven risk factors for asthma? (8)
genetic occupation smoking obesity diet reduced exposure to microbes/microbials products indoor pollution
In what way is genetic a risk factor for asthma?
Inherited tendency to IgE response to allergens
In what way is occupation a risk factor for asthma?
interactions with smoking and atopy
In what way does smoking increase the risk of asthma?
mum smoked during pregnancy promoting wheezy illness, airway responsiveness
Why are obese people associated with asthma?
body mass index increases asthma, wheezing and airway hyperreactivity
Are children born on farms less likely to develop asthma?
yes, there is reduced exposure to microbes
what are the sympoms of asthma?
wheeze short of breath chest tightness cough sputum
what are triggers of asthma?
exercise, cold air, smoke, perfume, pets, tree
whst sre the indications that it might not be asthma?
clubbing stridor assymetrical expansion dull percussion crepitations
How do you investigate asthma?
airflow obstruction
variability and or reversibility of airflow obstruction
full pulmonary function testing
reversibility to bronchodilator
reversibility to oral corticosteroids
how do you confirm the diagnosis of occupational asthma?
serial peak flow readings
antibodies
bronchial challenge
a condition which causes airflow obstruction which varies over time and with treatment
What could this be?
asthma
cough or wheeze in a context where asthma seems likely and other diagnoses have been excluded
note
what are key words for asthma?
wheeze, variability, respond to treatment
What are the similarities for asthma in adults?
Symptoms Common Same triggers Same treatment Same pathology
what are the difference of asthma
Gender (boys and women)
Severe asthma
Occupational asthma uncommon
which country is mostly affected
uk
is a stethoscope important in determining asthma?
no
Are allergy tests irrelevent in determing asthma?
yes
whats a must have in asthma?
wheeze
When is it not asthma?
under 18 months- most likely infection
Symptoms of bronchitis?
Loose rattly cough Noisy breathing Post-tussive vomit - “glut” Child VERY well, parent worried Chest free of wheeze/creps Self-limiting
Whats the risk of treating bacterial bronchitis?
quality of life and risk of diarrhoea
