CHRONIC ASTHMA

PATHOPHYSIOLOGY
1. INFLAMMATORY AIRWAY
  1. Leukocyte migration
  2. Neutrophils
  3. Macrophages
  4. Eosinophils
2. IgE production
3. Pooling of blood in lower extremities
4. Bronchial hyperresponsiveness
5. INFLAMMATORY MEDIATOR ACTIVATION
  1. Bronchospasm
  2. Thickened airway
  3. Chronic Mucus Plug Formation
CLINICAL PRESENTATION
1. Shortness of breath
2. Cough
3. Wheezing
4. Hypoxemia
5. Anxiety
6. Chest tightness
BLOOD GAS ANALYSIS
1. pH increases or normal
2. Respiratory alkalosis
3. Pa CO2 decreases
4. Hypoxiemia
RISK FACTORS
1. Exposure to allergens
2. Cold air
3. Viruses
4. Excercise
5. Environmental irritants
EPIDIMIOLOGY
1. Approximately 11% of asthma patients are over the age of 65 (AmericanAsthmaFoundation.org)
2. More common in children, more deaths in adults (AmericanAsthmaFoundation.org)
3. Near 3500 people die from Asthma in the US everyday (AmericanAsthmaFoundation.org)

Resource summary

	Created by Tonsillitis about 8 years ago

	Copied by Tonsillitis about 8 years ago

	Copied by Tonsillitis about 8 years ago