Acute and chronic asthma

Introduction

            Asthma is a human ailment that is associated with airflow obstructions and other episodic symptoms that evolve as a result of the exposure to environmental triggers. Since this disorder is sudden and deadly, it is important to highlight all associated risk complications and other health results when it is not managed properly. Moreover, according to modern research, there is not test or tests that have been proven to aid physicians to detect signs and symptoms associated with asthma (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 2012). For instance, in case the conditions that induce acute asthma are not managed appropriately once they evolve, they develop into chronic asthma.

Describe the pathophysiological mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation

            Clinically, the exaggeration of the human lower airway responses as a result of environmental exposure is what is termed as asthma exacerbation. One of the most commonly known environmental exposures is the respiratory virus infection that causes severe asthma exacerbation. Usually, airway inflammation evolves together with the obstruction of airflow as well as the increase in airway responsiveness. Its inflammation patterns greatly differ taking into considerations the asthma exacerbation triggering factors (Dondi et al., 2017).

            Both these exacerbations have the potential of affecting bronchioles, bronchi, and finally the whole trachea. Nevertheless, the pathophysiological mechanisms that are currently used for exacerbating both chronic and acute asthma entail determining how shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness induces periods or episodes of airflow obstructions (Huether & McCance, K2017). Understanding these pathopysiological mechanisms can enable patients and their families to understand to diagnose and treat these conditions.

How gender impacts the pathophysiology of both disorders

            According to modern research, gender differences provide the best means of explaining the pathophysiology of these two disorders. For instance, childhood asthma has been found to be more prevalent in boys as compared to girls.  Modern studies indicate that since the airway size of young male is relatively smaller as compared to that of young female, it has the likelihood of increasing wheezing risks after viral infection or cold. At the age of twenty, the number of male and female suffering from asthma is relatively the same. At the age of forty and above, there is an increase in the number of female suffering from asthma than men (Huether & McCance, K2017). Therefore, as compared to men, female are more susceptible to contracting this disorder.

Diagnosis and treatment

            The diagnosis of asthma will have to take into account their gender and age differences. In younger generation, asthma diagnosis is easier as compared to aged individuals. For older people, asthma diagnosis may be omitted because the majority of their other health conditions are similar to that of asthma. Regardless of gender and age differences, clinical diagnoses will physical examination to examine factors, such as wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and so on (Schreck  & Williams, 2006). Moreover, asthma diagnosis will take into account things like chest imaging, pulmonary function testing, and sputum testing. On the other hand, the treatment of these disorders will consist of both long-term and acute therapies. Understanding the clinical history of the patient will also aid in determining the drugs to administer. For instance, the patient will be provided with drugs such as oral corticosteroids or engage him or her to physical exercises (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, 2012).

 MIND MAPS

                                     Acute asthma exacerbation

Pathophysiology

Clinical presentation

·         Swollen and sensitive airways ·         Muscle contraction ·         Inflamed airways ·         Narrowed bronchial tubes

ACUTE ASTHMA EXACERBATION

Treatment

Diagnosis

·         Oral corticosteroids ·         Physical exercises ·         0xygen

·         Physical assessment ·         Imaging ·         Carrying out pulmonary function testing ·         Sputum testing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                           

 

 

                         Chronic asthma exacerbation

CHRONIC ASTHMA EXACERBATION

Clinical presentation

pathophysiology

·         increasing permeability of the vasculature ·         activation of the inflammatory mediators

Diagnosis

·         Gender  differences

Treatment

·         Oral corticosteroids ·         Physical exercises ·         Administering oxygen

Breathlessness Coughing Chest pressure Wheezing

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

                                                References

Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. (2012). Retrieved from http://www.aafa.org

Dondi, A., Calamelli, E., Piccinno, V., Ricci, G., Corsini, I., Biagi, C., & Lanari, M. (2017). Acute Asthma in the Pediatric Emergency Department: Infections Are the Main Triggers of Exacerbations. BioMed Research International, 2017, 1–7. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/9687061

Huether, S. E., & McCance, K. L. (2017). Understanding Pathophysiology - E-Book. (6th ed.). St. Louis, MO: Mosby

Schreck, D. M., & Williams, D. M. (2006). Case studies illustrating the implementation of treatment strategies for acute and chronic asthma. American Journal of Health-System Pharmacy, 63(10), S22–S26. https://doi.org/10.2146/ajhp060129