Question | Answer |
Bronchiolar narrowing (constriction) that comes and goes, depending on several different things. | Asthma |
In asthma, you get chronic _______________________. | Inflammation of mucosa in the linings of the airway. |
when you have too much mucosa, what is usually present? | Inflammatory cells (white blood cells, mast cells, etc...) - causes pus to fill airways. |
What is usually the main complaint for folks with asthma? | hard to move air into and out of lungs (especially out) |
How is asthma diagnosed? | Measure the amount of air someone can blow out per time - the forced expiratory volume or effort (FEV). |
Asthmatics breath more ___________ than others. (rapid or slow?) | rapidly. |
"Deep breathing" for an asthmatic produces over time a ___________. | hyperinflated chest. |
What is usually present with asthma? | Coughing and dyspnea. |
Asthma is not _______ or ______. explain. | Asthma is not bronchitis (involves bronchiolar secretions), and is not emphysema (which amount and springiness of tissues is lost). |
Three types of asthma: | 1) Extrinsic (allergic). 2) Intrinsic (idiopathic). 3) mixed. |
Extrinsic asthma: | Rare. Usually caused by a known allergen. Begins in childhood and results from sensitization. |
Intrinsic asthma: | occurs in response to UNKNOWN stimuli - can be irritated by cold, exercise, emotions/anxiety. This usually develops after age 40 and progresses to bronchitis or emphysema. |
Mixed asthma: | Most common, where elements of both extrinsic and intrinsic are present. |
Why is exhalation difficult for asthmatics? | Air passageways are overly constricted and filled with mucous and fluid. |
2 possible causes (sorta causes) for asthma? | Hypersensitivity to things. Beta-adrenergic innervation of bronchioles is impaired. |
3 longterm treatment strategies of asthma: | 1) identify and remove irritants in environment. 2) Beta-adrenergic agonists. 3) Drugs that lessen effects of inflammatory cells within the airways. (prevent mast cells from releasing mucosa) |
asthma drugs mimic ______________. | Epinephrine. (Albuterol - inhaled and reaches site quickly). They hit the airways, but not the heart. Epinephrine hits the heart too. |
Examples of some treatments for asthma: | Albuterol, steroids, blockers of acetylcholine receptors, leukotriene (inflammatory things). |
Asthma drugs target ______________ and ___________. | smooth muscle. Mucosa. |
What is always used for asthma treatment? | Beta-adrenergic agonists. Always used. |