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Questions and Answers
Which type of asthma is primarily triggered by allergens such as molds and pollens?
What is the primary function of short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs) in asthma management?
Which factor is NOT a typical trigger for asthma symptoms?
Adult-onset asthma develops after which age?
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What is the primary characteristic of eosinophilic asthma?
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Which type of asthma may be triggered by specific workplace exposures?
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Which medication class is used to prevent asthma symptoms by reducing airway inflammation?
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Bronchial asthma is primarily characterized by episodes of which symptoms?
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What is the primary mechanism by which oral corticosteroids alleviate asthma symptoms?
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Which medication is effective in blocking the action of leukotrienes to help manage asthma?
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What lifestyle modification is essential for effective asthma management?
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What is the role of phosphodiesterase-4 inhibitors in asthma treatment?
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Which of the following is NOT a common trigger for asthma symptoms?
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What is the primary benefit of bronchial thermoplasty for asthma patients?
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What is the purpose of spirometry in the assessment of asthma?
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What approach can help reduce exposure to asthma triggers at home?
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What is typically observed in the FEV1/FVC ratio of adults with asthma?
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What improvement in FEV1 after administering a bronchodilator supports the diagnosis of asthma?
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Which test is most useful to assess airway inflammation in asthma management?
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The Methacholine Challenge Test is primarily used for what purpose?
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What indicates a positive result in a Skin Prick Test for allergies?
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What does a high level of IgE antibodies indicate in the context of asthma?
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What is the purpose of conducting a Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) Measurement?
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Which of the following imaging techniques can assist in diagnosing asthma?
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Study Notes
Bronchial Asthma
- A chronic inflammatory disease of the airways
- Characterized by episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing
- Symptoms are often triggered by allergens, respiratory infections, or other stimuli
- Severity varies from mild to life-threatening
- The airways become inflamed and constricted, making it difficult to breathe
- Managed with a combination of medications, lifestyle changes, and trigger avoidance
- No cure for the condition
- Caused by participation of mast cells, eosinophils, and T-lymphocytes, which release inflammatory mediators
- Inflammation of the respiratory passages causes hyperreactivity, bronchial obstruction, and respiratory symptoms
Types of Bronchial Asthma
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Atopic Asthma/ Allergic Asthma:
- Classical IgE-mediated hypersensitivity and allergen sensitization
- Associated with a history of allergies
- Triggered by allergens like molds, pollens, and pet dander
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Non-Allergic Asthma
- Triggered by exercise, stress, illness, or weather
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Occupational Asthma
- Caused by workplace exposure
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Seasonal Asthma
- Occurs at different times of the year due to weather changes
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Pediatric (Childhood) Asthma
- Often starts before age 5 and can occur in infants and toddlers
- Some children may outgrow it
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Adult-Onset Asthma
- Develops after the age of 18
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Eosinophilic Asthma
- Caused by high levels of eosinophils in the airways
Medical Management
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Short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs)
- Used to relieve immediate symptoms like wheezing and breathlessness
- Relax smooth muscles in the airways, allowing for easier breathing
- Example: albuterol
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Inhaled Corticosteroids (ICS)
- Prevent symptoms by reducing airway inflammation
- Suppress the production of inflammatory cells and cytokines
- Example: fluticasone
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Combination Inhalers
- Contain both a SABA and an ICS
- Provide immediate and long-lasting relief
- Example: Advair or Bricanyl Duo
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Oral Corticosteroids
- For severe asthma exacerbations
- Reduce inflammation in the airways and provide rapid relief
- Example: prednisone
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Leukotriene Receptor Antagonists
- Block the action of leukotrienes, inflammatory mediators involved in asthma
- Example: montelukast
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Phosphodiesterase-4 Inhibitors
- Inhibit the breakdown of cyclic AMP (cAMP), a signaling molecule involved with smooth muscle relaxation in the airways
- Example: roflumilast
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Mast Cell Stabilizers
- Stabilize mast cells and prevent the release of histamine and other inflammatory mediators
- Example: cromolyn sodium
Lifestyle Modification
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Avoiding Triggers
- Identifying and avoiding triggers that worsen asthma symptoms is crucial
- Examples: allergens, irritants, respiratory infections, cold air, exercise, certain medications
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Maintaining a Healthy Lifestyle
- Balanced diet, regular exercise, and adequate sleep are important for managing asthma
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Smoking Cessation
- Smoking is a major risk factor for asthma and exacerbations
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Environmental Control
- Measures like air purifiers, regular cleaning, and dust-mite-proof bedding can reduce exposure to allergens and irritants
Surgical Management
-
Bronchial Thermoplasty
- An invasive procedure for severe asthma that is not painful because there are no nerves inside the airways
- Targets smooth muscle in the lungs using heat to shrink it
Diagnostic Procedures
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Spirometry
- Measures airflow obstruction, which is characteristic of asthma
-
FEV1 (Forced Expiratory Volume in 1 second):
- Reduced in asthmatic patients
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FVC (Forced Vital Capacity):
- May be normal or reduced
-
FEV1/FVC Ratio:
- Typically decreased in asthma (below 0.75-0.80 in adults)
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Bronchodilator Response:
- Significant improvement in FEV1 (≥12% and 200 mL) after bronchodilator administration supports asthma diagnosis
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Peak Expiratory Flow (PEF) Measurement
- Non-invasive test used to assess airway obstruction
- Measures how fast someone can exhale
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Methacholine Challenge Test
- Used to diagnose asthma by assessing airway hyperresponsiveness
- Measures the degree of airway narrowing
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FeNO (Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide) Test
- Assesses the level of airway inflammation
- Used to guide treatment, monitor therapy effectiveness, and predict asthma exacerbations
Laboratory
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Allergy Testing for Asthma
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Skin Prick Test:
- A small amount allergen is applied to the skin and a small prick allows it to enter
- If allergic, a raised, red bump appears within 15-20 minutes
- The size of the bump indicates the sensitivity to that allergen
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Blood Test:
- Measures IgE antibodies in the blood
- Elevated levels indicate an allergic response
- Specific IgE tests can identify the allergens causing the reaction
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Skin Prick Test:
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Chest X-ray or CT Scan
- Provides pictures of the lungs and chest
- Used to check for other lung conditions
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Sputum Analysis
- Studies the sputum for inflammatory cells and microorganisms to determine the type of asthma
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Description
Explore the complexities of bronchial asthma, a chronic inflammatory disease impacting the airways. This quiz covers its symptoms, types, triggers, and management strategies. Understand how it varies in severity and what causes the inflammatory responses.
