Asthma

Question 1

What structural abnormality does Asthma cause?

Answer 1

Reversible airflow obstruction.

Question 2

What is dynamic hyperinflation?

Answer 2

A little of the air from the previous breath remains in the lungs when the next breath is started. When this happens there’s an increase in the volume of air in the lungs.

Question 3

What pregnancy decision can cause foetal Asthma?

Answer 3

Smoking during pregnancy

Question 4

Causes of Asthma?

Answer 4

• Exposure to allegens
• Exposure to irritants
• Exercise
• Cold induced
• Prior eczema or hay fever
• Family history
• Obesity

Question 5

Why is there the greatest reduction in airflow when breathing out?

Answer 5

Because the pressure the chest exerts compresses the airways rather than expands.

Question 6

Experienced Symptoms of Asthma?

Answer 6

• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Shortness of Breath
• Tachypnoea (abnormally rapid breathing)

Question 7

Clinical Signs of Asthma?

Answer 7

• Wheeze heard with stethoscope
• Paradoxical Pulse (an abnormally large decrease in systolic blood pressure and pulse wave amplitude during inspiration.)
• Accessory muscles used for respiration
• Over-inflation of the chest

Question 8

What are the abnormal test results in Asthma?

Answer 8

• Reduced FEV-1. Therefore reduced FEV-1:FVC

- Chest X-ray shows chest hyper-expansion

Question 9

What protects you from Asthma?

Answer 9

• Breast Feeding
• Early exposure to animals
• Healthy lifestyle

Question 10

What treatments are there for Asthma?

Answer 10

- Corticosteroids (anti-inflammatories)
  Inhaled- beclometasone
  Oral- Prednisolone
-beta-2 agonists: Short Term- Salbutamol
                              Long Term- Salmeterol