Asthma, Adult
Basics
Basics
Basics
Description
Description
- Increased expiratory resistance:
- Airway inflammation
- Bronchospasm
- Mucosal edema
- Mucous plugging
- Smooth muscle hypertrophy
- Consequences:
- Air trapping
- Airway remodeling
- Increased dead space
- Hyperinflation
- Status asthmaticus refers to disease that does not respond to therapy within 30–60 min
- Risk factors for life-threatening disease:
- Prior intubations
- Intensive care unit admissions
- Chronic steroid use
- Hospital admission for asthma during the past year
- Inadequate medical management
- Increasing age
- Ethnicity (African Americans)
- Lack of access to medical care
- Multiple comorbidities
Etiology
Etiology
- Inflammatory process of the airways evidenced by episodic and reversible airflow obstruction and hyperresponsiveness with many cells and cellular elements contributing to the disease:
- Neutrophils
- Mast cells
- Eosinophils
- Macrophages
- T-lymphocytes
- Epithelial cells
- Cytokines
- Triggers:
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Molds
- Animal dander
- Other environmental allergens
- Viral upper respiratory infections
- Occupational chemicals
- Tobacco smoke
- Environmental change
- Cold air
- Exercise induced
- Emotional factors
- Menstrual associated
- Drugs:
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