Pathophysiological Mechanisms
PathophysiologicalMechanisms
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Thepathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma include thetightening of the smooth muscle that lines the respiratory tubes,which include the trachea and bronchi, bouts of bronchoconstriction,and chronic inflammation of the patient’s respiratory tubes. Acuteasthma exacerbations comprise of fits of shortness of breath,coughing, chest tightness, and wheezing. Its pathophysiologicalmechanisms include inflammatory reactions in the airways,constriction of small air pathways with mucus, and hyperactivity inthe bronchi (Kwok, McPhee, & Hammer, 2010). During anexacerbation, the blood oxygen content starts declining, and thecarbon dioxide level increases gradually. These changes in blood gascontent cause the feeling of shortness of breath. The similaritiesbetween these pathophysiological mechanisms include constriction andinflammation in the air pathways. The differences between the two areasthma exacerbations cause mucus to clog the airways, while acuteasthma does not necessarily lead to an increase in mucus production(Huether, & McCance, 2017).
Forboth ailments, a person’s behavior can either put them at risk orreduce the chances of them getting further complications. Activitiesthat increase one’s risk of pathophysiology include smoking andusing gas stoves that produce nitrogen dioxide, which is a commonindoor pollutant. To diagnose a patient for either of the twodisorders, finding out about their activities is important, as itprovides information on the possible risk factors. Treatment wouldinvolve advising the patient to avoid the activities that put them atrisk, such as using alternative cooking methods like electriccookers, and to stop smoking ("American Lung Association ®,"2017.)
Pathophysiology
Airway constriction
Inflammation
Tightening of respiratory smooth muscle
Epidemiology
Currently affects about 300 million people globally
Causes 250 thousand annual deaths
By 2025, the number of patients may grow to 400 million.
Treatment
Reduce contact with risk factors
Take the medication as prescribed
Maintain normal activity levels
Diagnosis
Checking for risk factors in patient’s activities
Review of family history
Physical examination
CHRONIC ASTHMA
Clinical Presentation
Coughing
Wheezing
Chest tightness
Pathophysiology
Increased mucus production
Constriction and inflammation of airways
Hyperactivity in the bronchi
Epidemiology
In the U.S, there were more than 15 million hospital visits last year due to exacerbations alone
About 2 million patients needed emergency management of asthma exacerbation last year (Plus, 2017).
ACUTE ASTHMA EXACERBATION
Clinical Presentation
Shortness of breath
Coughing
Chest tightness
Treatment
Reduce contact with risk factors
Take the medication as prescribed
Maintain normal activity levels
Diagnosis
Checking for risk factors in patient’s activities
Review of family history
Physical examination
References
AmericanLung Association ®.(2017). AmericanLung Association.Retrieved 29 March 2017, from http://www.lung.org/
Huether,S., & McCance, K. (2017). UnderstandingPathophysiology(6th Ed.). St. Louis: Mosby.
Kwok,Y., McPhee, S., & Hammer, G. (2010). Pathophysiologyof disease(2nd Ed.). New York: McGraw-Hill.
Plus,G. (2017). Asthmaand Allergy Foundation of America.Asthmaand Allergy Foundation of America.Retrieved 29 March 2017, from http://www.aafa.org
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