• Reactive airway disease (RAD)
bronchial asthma
What is asthma also known as?
Bronchial asthma or reactive airway disease (RAD)
Asthma is commonly referred to by these alternative names.
What type of disease is asthma?
Inflammatory disease of the airways
Asthma involves inflammation affecting the air passages.
Which cells are involved in asthma?
Mast cells, neutrophils, eosinophils, T-lymphocytes, macrophages, and epithelial cells
These cells contribute to the inflammatory process in asthma.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Coughing, wheezing, breathlessness, and chest tightness
These symptoms are associated with episodes of airway obstruction.
What causes airway obstruction in asthma?
Bronchospasm
Bronchospasm leads to the narrowing of the airways, causing obstruction.
Is airflow obstruction in asthma reversible?
Yes, usually reversible spontaneously or through pharmacologic therapy
Asthma treatment can help alleviate the obstruction.
What are the two general categories of asthma classified by etiology?
Extrinsic (allergic, atopic) asthma and intrinsic asthma
What is allergic or extrinsic asthma?
The most common form of asthma, frequently occurring in children and young adults, often with a personal and/or family history of atopic disease
What type of hypersensitivity is associated with extrinsic asthma?
Type I hypersensitivity
What mediates the pathogenesis of extrinsic asthma?
The interaction of various external allergens, sensitized IgE antibodies, and proinflammatory mast cells
List common allergens associated with asthma.
What happens when allergens bind to sensitized IgE on mast cells?
Triggers degranulation and release of histamines, bradykinins, leukotrienes, and prostaglandin D2
What are the consequences of the inflammatory reaction in extrinsic asthma?
True or False: Extrinsic asthma is primarily caused by genetic factors.
False
Fill in the blank: Allergic asthma is a manifestation of _______ localized to the airways.
type I hypersensitivity
What is intrinsic asthma?
Intrinsic asthma is usually not associated with a history of allergy and personal and family histories are usually negative for atopic diseases.
It typically appears first during adulthood.
When does intrinsic asthma typically appear?
Intrinsic asthma typically appears first during adulthood.
Its onset is frequently associated with upper respiratory viral infections.
What types of viral infections are associated with the onset of intrinsic asthma?
Upper respiratory viral infections, such as rhinovirus and parainfluenza virus.
These infections can trigger the onset of intrinsic asthma.
What is the etiology of intrinsic asthma?
The etiology of intrinsic asthma is not well understood.
It may involve a hyperirritable state of the tracheobronchial tree.
How can the central nervous system affect airway function in intrinsic asthma?
The central nervous system can affect airway function and tone by way of parasympathetic vagal efferent activity.
This can influence the symptoms and severity of asthma.
What has been proposed as a cause of intrinsic asthma?
Intrinsic asthma may be the result of a hyperirritable state of the tracheobronchial tree due to:
* Defective functioning or blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors
* Excessive cholinergic activity
These factors can contribute to the airway’s responsiveness.
What is exercise-induced asthma?
Bronchospasm occurs 5 to 10 minutes after the start of physical activity due to heat loss and/or water loss from the bronchial surface
Hyperventilation of cold, dry air and emotional stress can also trigger an asthma attack.
What can trigger occupational or environmental asthma?
Exposure to agents in the workplace or environment such as:
* B Fumes (epoxy resins, plastics)
* Organic and chemical dusts (wood, cotton, platinum)
* Chemicals (toluene diisocyanate [TDI])
* Air pollutants (ozone, sulfur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide)
These agents can act as respiratory irritants.