Bronchial asthma: Symptoms, Cause, Treatment and More

BRONCHIAL ASTHMA :

 Definition

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of airway caused by allergic response of bronchi resulting in reversible narrowing of airway due to bronchoconstriction (spasm) congestion and thickening of walls all of bronchi and accumulation of mucus.

Causes / Etiology :-

1. Environmental factors

_ Chenge in temperature mostly cold air.

_ Change in humidity _ dry air.

2. Atmospheric pollutants

_ Cigarette

_ industrial smoke 

_ ozone

_ sulphur dioxide

_ formaldehyde.

3. Allergen inhalation

Food treated with sulphate, beer, wine ,etc

4. Medication

_ NSAIDS

_ Beta blockers

5. Stress/ emotional upset

6. strong odour and perfumes

Risk factors :-

_ Family history

_ History of allergen

_ Low birth weight

_ Urban living

_ Regular use of NSAIDS

_ Passive smoking 

_ Obesity

Types of Asthma

1. Extrinsic (Allergic asthma)

When asthma cause by allergen such as paint ,house dust, pollan, food preservatives etc is known as allergic asthma.

Allergic asthma most commonly seen in seasonal environment.

2. Intrinsic (non allergic asthma)

It is caused by sympathetic and parasympathetic response of the body .

Other types of Asthma

1.mixed asthma

2. Cough variant asthma

3. Exercise induce asthma

Clinical manifestations

_ Cough 

_ Chest tightness

_ Dyspnoea

_ Wheezing

_ Prolonged expiration

_ Hypoxemia

_ Ronchi(sounds during inspiration)

Diagnostic evaluation

_ History collection

_ Physical examination

_ Spirometry

_ ABG (Arterial blood gas analysis)

_ Chest x-ray

_ Auscultation of breath sounds (wheezing sounds)

Complications

_ Respiratory failure

_ Pneumonia

_ Cardiac arrest

_ Atelectasis

_ Status Asthmatics 

MANAGEMENT

Medical management

1. Bronchodilators

_ Salbutamol

_ Albuterol

_ Formoterol

_ Terbutaline

2. Xanthine derivatives :

_ Theophylline

_ Deriphylline.

_ Aminophylline

3. Anticholinergie :

_ Ipratropium

_ Atropine sulphate (Nebulizer).

4. Corticosteroids : 

_ Methylprednisolone

_ Betamethasone.

5. Leukotriene receptor antagonist :

_ Montelukast

_ Zafirlukast.

6. Mast cell stabilizers (stop activities of mast cells.) :

_ Cromolyn sodium.

Nursing management

1. Assess the patient’s respiratory status by monitoring the severity of the symptoms.

2. Assess for breath sounds.

3. Assess the patient’s peak flow.

4. Assess the level of oxygen saturation through the pulse oximeter.

5. Monitor the patient’s vital signs.

By : @ummedsaini_