Skin & Respiratory Health Flashcards

1
Q

List 2 things that narrow the airways in asthma

A

Bronchial smooth muscle spasm
Swelling of bronchial mucosa
Excess mucus secretion

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2
Q

Asthma is usually mediated by IgE and precipitated by an allergic response to an allergen. True or false?

A

True

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3
Q

Describe the pathophysiology of asthma

A
  1. IgE mediated response to an allergen
  2. Release of inflammatory mediators (e.g., histamine, leukotrienes, prostaglandins)
  3. This causes bronchospasm, triggering an asthma attack
  4. Excess mucus plugs the airway. Along with increased airway tone and hyper-responsiveness, the airway narrows
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4
Q

Which chemical mediators (1000 times more potent stimulators of bronchial constriction than histamine) are present in asthma?

A

Leukotrienes

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5
Q

What leads to up regulation of the LOX pathway and an increase in leukotrienes in asthmatics?

A

An imbalance in arachidonic acid metabolism

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6
Q

List 3 causes / risk factors for asthma

A
  • Th1/Th2 imbalance
  • Heightened Th2 balance during pregnancy
  • Inadequate antigen exposure (hygiene hypothesis)
  • Pre/post natal exposure to antibiotics
  • Gut dysbiosis
  • Pathogenic bacteria / fungi (i.e, candida)
  • Not breastfed
  • Early weaning
  • Obesity
  • Preservatives
  • Molybdenum deficiency
  • Food colourings
    Low Vit D and magnesium status
  • Drugs
  • Female sex hormone fluctuations (raised oestrogen)
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7
Q

How long should children ideally be exclusively breastfed for, to reduce risk of asthma

A

6-9 months

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8
Q

List 3 ways in which obesity adds to asthma risk

A

Significantly impacts lung function mechanics
Poor diet increases asthma risk
Obesity is linked with poor microbiome diversity
Adipose tissue releases cytokines, contributes to systemic inflammation

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9
Q

A deficiency of which mineral can contribute to sulphite sensitivity and increase asthma risk?

A

Molybdenum

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10
Q

Previous HRT use is linked with increased risk of asthma in women. True or false?

A

True

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11
Q

Raised oestrogen increases asthma risk, as oestrogen favours Th__

A

Th2

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12
Q

There are 2 classifications of asthma. Name them.

A

Extrinsic (allergic/atopic)
Intrinsic (non-allergic)

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13
Q

List 3 common triggers of extrinsic asthma

A

Pollen
Mould
Dust mites
Pet dander

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14
Q

List 3 common triggers of intrinsic asthma

A

Cold temperatures
Humidity
Stress
Exercise
Pollution
Smoke
Oestrogen excess
Respiratory infections

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15
Q

Which mineral, a co-factor in glutathione synthesis, is often low in asthmatics?

A

Selenium

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16
Q

Vitamin ___, a potent antioxidant, improves lung function , decreases IgE, optimises Th1 and suppresses Th2.

A

Vitamin E

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17
Q

Which flavonoid inhibits histamine release from mast cells and decreases airway inflammation?

A

Quercetin

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18
Q

Why is it important to optimise omega 3:6 ratio in asthma?

A

An inflammatory omega 6:3 profile causes increased PGE2 synthesis, which increases IgE, atopy and inflammation.

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19
Q

Probiotics can balance Th1 / Th2 immunity in asthma. True or false?

A

True

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20
Q

Which herb can inhibit leukotriene production, benefiting asthma?

A

Boswellia

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21
Q

Define bronchitis

A

Acute or chronic inflammation of the bronchi

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22
Q

Which respiratory pathology is associated with environmental irritants, inducing:
- Mucosa oedema
- Hypertrophy of bronchial glands
- Hypertrophy of bronchial smooth muscle
- Invisible scarring of airway walls, reducing airflow

A

Bronchitis

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23
Q

What is the hallmark symptom of bronchitis?

A

Hacking, unproductive cough

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24
Q

List 3 signs/symptoms of bronchitis

A

Hacking, unproductive cough, becoming productive within days (thick, yellowy mucus)
Fever
Sore throat
Shortness of breath
Headache
Runny or blocked nose
Muscle pain

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25
Q

Why should mucus- and histamine-forming foods be avoided in bronchitis?

A

To avoid excess mucus production (blocks airways)

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26
Q

List 3 things you’d include in a natural approach to bronchitis.

A
  • Reduce bronchial irritants (dusk, smoke, pollution)
  • Reduce inflammatory foods (sugar etc)
  • Avoid additives, preservatives, colourings
  • Adequate fluid intake
  • Bromelain
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27
Q

Which proteolytic enzyme decreases airway inflammation, is mucolytic and has potential as an anti-viral agent?

A

Bromelain

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28
Q

Describe COPD.

A

A chronic inflammatory response of the lungs causing airflow limitation and progressive lung tissue damage.

29
Q

COPD is a combination of two main pathologies. Name them.

A

Emphysema
Chronic bronchitisW

30
Q

What is the main symptom of emphysema?

A

Breathlessness (alveoli collapse during expiration)

31
Q

What is the main symptom of chronic bronchitis?

A

Cough and wheezing (inflammation of bronchial lining with mucus hyper-secretion)

32
Q

List 2 causes / risk factors for COPD.

A
  • Smoking
  • Exposure to lung irritants (air pollution, industrial chemicals, dust)
  • Genetic susceptibility
33
Q

Why is healthy weight management important in COPD?

A
  • Overweight = more pressure on heart and lungs
  • Underweight = inability to maintain normal body function
34
Q

List 3 things you might include/do in a natural approach to COPD

A
  • Avoid foods with a negative effect on immune health
  • Avoid mucus-producing foods
  • Include nutrient-dense, easily digested foods
  • CNM Naturopathic Diet
  • Anti-inflammatory, warming herbs & spices
  • Optimise O3 fat intake
  • Good protein intake (sarcopenia risk)
  • Specific focus on leucine
  • Increase flavonoid intake
35
Q

Vitamin __ deficiency in COPD is associated with increased risk of exacerbations and a decline in lung function.

A

Vitamin D

36
Q

Increased oxidative stress during COPD disease exacerbation is linked to lowered serum levels of vitamins ___ and ___.

A

A and E

37
Q

Name a mucolytic supplement, useful in COPD.

A

NAC

38
Q

Which medicinal mushroom improves disease progression markers in COPD?

A

Cordyceps

39
Q

Which herb, an expectorant with mucolytic and antibacterial activities, is useful in COPD?

A

Thyme

40
Q

List 2 functions of the integumentary system.

A

Protective barrier
Detoxification (excretes waste products)

41
Q

Comedones are a clinical presentation of which skin disorder?

A

Acne vulgaris

42
Q

Hyperinsulinemia decreases _________, increasing levels of free testosterone.

A

SHBG

43
Q

Which enzyme converts testosterone to DHT, driving acne?

A

5-alpha-reductase

44
Q

What is the most abundant steroid in the body?

A

DHEA

45
Q

List 3 causes/risk factors of acne

A

Increased androgens / DHT
Hormone fluctuations (i.e, puberty)
PCOS
Psychological stress via HPA axis -> inflammation
Depression / anxiety
Corticosteroids
Insulin resistance (increases androgen & sebum production)
IGF1
Dairy
High GI foods
Excess damp/heat (TCM)
Western diet

46
Q

Which vitamin has anti-comedogenic properties?

A

Vitamin D

47
Q

Acne patients have a distinct microbiome with higher levels of _____________

A

Bacteriodes

48
Q

Omega 3 decreases IGF-1. True or false?

A

True

49
Q

Name a food that has been shown to decrease circulating free androgens.

A

Flaxseed

50
Q

In which pathology would you find mTORC1 activation?

A

Acne vulgaris

51
Q

Which mineral inhibits 5-alpha-reductase, positively impacting acne vulgaris?

A

Zinc

52
Q

List 2 herbs that inhibit 5-alpha-reductase, positively impacting acne vulgaris?

A

Saw Palmetto
Stinging nettle root

53
Q

With which skin pathology would you associate capillary hyper-reactivity, presenting as an erythematous rash or red flush across the cheeks and nose?

A

Rosacea

54
Q

What is another name for telangiectasia?

A

Spider veins

55
Q

List 3 causes / risk factors for rosacea.

A
  • H.pylori infection
  • SIBO
  • Excess heat
  • Food allergy / intolerance
56
Q

List 3 common trigger foods in rosacea

A

Peppers
Tomatoes
Citrus
Chocolate
Cinnamon

57
Q

List 3 things you might do to support rosacea naturally.

A

Identify and avoid dietary triggers
Focus on cooling, anti-inflammatory foods
Reduce high-histamine foods
Support gut health and pH
Increase O3 intake
Vitamin C-rich foods
Proanthocyadinin- rich foods
Topical aloe vera gel
Zinc (25mg/day)
Reduce stress

58
Q

_________ ___________ is a disorder of altered skin integrity and immune dysregulation, that presents as a chronic relapsing inflammatory skin disease.

A

Atopic dermatitis

59
Q

List 2 clinical signs of atopic dermatitis

A

Pruritis
Dry eczematous lesions on flexor/extensor surfaces
Lichenification

60
Q

Atopic dermatitis is divided into 2 classifications. Name them.

A

Extrinsic (IgE mediated)
Intrinsic (non-IgE mediated)

61
Q

__________ is a common T-cell-mediated inflammatory skin condition characterised by hyperkeratosis.

A

Psoriasis

62
Q

List 2 clinical signs/symptoms of psoriasis.

A
  • Symmetric, well-defined, salmon-coloured plaques with overlapping thick, silvery scales
  • Nail involvement - pitting/flaking, yellow/brown spots
  • Often worse in winter
63
Q

Psoriasis is an auto-immune condition, in which T-cell mediated inflammation results in keratinocyte proliferation. True or false?

A

True

64
Q

List 2 complications of psoriasis.

A

Psoriatic arthritis
CVD
IBD
Depression
Occular disorders

65
Q

The HLA-Cw6 gene is associated with which skin condition?

A

Psoriasis

66
Q

List 3 causes/risk factors for psoriasis.

A

Genetic predisposition
Physical trauma
Vaccination
Air pollution
Medications
Infectious agents, candida
Smoking
Alcohol
Metabolic syndrome
Gut dysbiosis
High toxic load
Impaired detox / elimination pathways
Poor protein digestion
NAFLD
Insulin resistance
Chronic high level stress

67
Q

List 3 things you might do as part of a natural protocol for psoriasis

A

Reduce gluten
Restrict red meat
Restrict simple sugars
Reduce toxic load
Support digestion
Probiotics and prebiotics to support commensals
Weight loss as needed
Stress management
Liver herbs - milk thistle
Anti-inflammatory herbs - Turmeric, boswelia

68
Q

What could you use topically in psoriasis?

A

Coconut oil
Aloe vera gel
Neem