Define Asthma
Chronic inflammatory disease of airways characterised by
1) Bronchial hyperresponsiveness to stimuli (t1)
2) Reversible and variable airflow obstruction
3) Inflammation of bronchi
Pathophysiology of asthma
Epidemiology of asthma
More common in boys as children and girls as adults
Likely larger genetic role as children and env as adults
Presentation of asthma and features of history
Wheeze
SOB
Chest tight
Cough
Diurnal variation (worse at night and early morning)
Triggered by or made worse by something
Variable, recurrent and frequent symptoms
History of allergies
Smoker or around them
Family history of atopy or asthma
Asthma :aetiology precipitating factors
genetic and environmental component (atopic triad)
hygiene hypothesis
2 types of triggers: inducer + provoke
INDUCER enhance inflammatory response (physical antigen). Intrinsic asthma, children more
PROVOKER enhance bronchospasm. Extrinsic asthma
Clinical signs of asthma on examination
Expiratory wheeze (polyphonic)
Hyperinflated chest
May see pec/SCM hypertrophy in poor managed
NB Severe asthma = no wheeze, silent chest
Investigations for asthma
Peak flow- show variable airflow limitation
Spirometry - show obstructive, decreased FEV1 to predicted
CXR + FBC to rule out other pathology
Stepwise management of asthma and SE of BA, ICS
Beta agonists - tachy, hypOK
Define acute severe asthma
Any one of:
Life threatening:
Management of asthma attack
?. MgS04 aminophylline mechanical vent
aim: sats > 94%
Define COPD
Chronic, partly irreversible, progressive, airway obstruction due to airway and parenchyma damage
may be accompanied by hypersensitivity
encompasses:
Risk factors for COPD
Define chronic bronchitis + pathophysiology
Chronic bronchitis:
Path:
inflammation, mucus hypersecretion + airway narrowing
Define emphysema
Abnormal permanent dilation of airways distal to terminal bronchioles + destruction of their walls without obvious fibrosis
How does smoking -> COPD (pathophysiology)
toxin -> macrophage/cd8 lymphocyte recruitment -> neutrophil response -> protease activation
protease -> mucus hypersecretion in chronic bronchitis or alveolar destruction in emphysema
alpha 1 antitrypsin usually inhibits neutrophil protease activity
Presentation of COPD px

Investigation for COPD
Also need to do:
Bedside sats
FBC (elevated hb and rbc)
CXR
ABG
ECG (RH strain)
CT - distribution of emphysema may indicated a1antitrypsin if > at bases
Management of COPD
conservative = smoking cessation, vaccines (flu, pneumococcal), pulmonary rehab,reduce occupation exposure
FIRST: SABA(salbutamol) or SAMA (iprotroprium)
then ? asthma
if no asthma then LABA (salmeterol, formoterol) + LAMA (tiotropium) + SABA - SAMA if on before
if asthma + ICS
can also try:
- ? LTOT
-? surgery
Management of COPD exacerbation
MAY need NIV for pxs in T2RF
Smoking cessation devices
lots of forms of NRT - lozynges, patches, vape
or prescribed drugs:
Define bronchiectasis
Abnormal and permanent dilation of airways leading to accumulation of secretions and secondary infection/inflammation
Causes of bronchiectasis
Presentation of px with bronchiectasis
Chronic productive cough copious amounts
recurrent chest infections
may have haemoptysis, sob, wheeze
Investigating for bronchiectasis
HRCT is gold standard, will show dilation and wall thickening- signet ring
Sputum culture on exacerbation
CXR may be helpful