Pathophysiology of Asthma - Essay

Asthma itself is an inflammatory disease characterized by increased airway responsiveness due to a variety of stimulus. The inflammation causes the hyper-responsiveness than in turn causes bronchiolar smooth muscle constriction, resulting in obstruction of airflow. Some

Asthma is when someone has trouble breathing. This is caused by spasms in the bronchi of the lungs. It can be triggered by allergies or sensitivities to something specific. Your bodies become stimulated and the through constricts, giving a feeling of not being able to breath. This can become very severe and is able to kill.

Pulse oximeter used to check his oxygen saturation level, which was 98% on air with no central or peripheral cyanosis. Since Mr Devi, does not seem to have any sign of abnormal respiration. The next assessment is circulation, where there are many physical signs to look for. The colour of the hand and digits, are they blue, pink, pale or mottled. Also need to measure for capillary refill time (CRT) by applying cutaneous pressure for 5 Sec on a fingertip held at heart level of Mr. Devi. The normal value of CRT is usually less than 2 second prolonged CRT suggests poor peripheral perfusion. Measure his Blood Pressure (B/P), count pulse rate by listening to the heart with a stethoscope or palpate peripheral and central pulses, assessing for the presence, rate, quality, regularity and equality. All of this assessment indicates the cardiovascular system in the patient is within the normal range or is there any emergency measures should take (Resus.org.uk 2016). However, Mr Devi’s circulation is a concern because his HR was 110bpm which is higher than normal range, the normal heart beat for adults ranges from 60-100bpm. Also his BP was 190/99mmhg with mean arterial pressure (MAP) of

As Jane was presenting with a symptom of a life threatening event it was important that treatment was immediate. Priority was initially made from assessment of the airways, breathing and circulation, level of consciousness and pain. Jane’s respirations on admission were recorded at a rate of 28 breaths per minute, she looked cyanosed. Jane’s other clinical observations recorded a heart rate of 105 beats per minute (sinus tachycardia), blood pressure (BP) of 140/85 and oxygen saturation (SPO2) on room air 87%. It is important to establish a base line so that the nurse is altered to sudden deterioration in the patient’s clinical condition. Jane’s PEWS score (Physiological Early Warning Score) was 4 and indicated a need for urgent medical attention (BTS 2006). Breathing was the most obvious issue and was the immediate priority.

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Respiratory disorder, mostly affect the upper or lower respiratory tract, however bacterial or viral infection are the causative agent and the disease is common in all ages. In addition, the lungs and the bronchi can also be affected, causing inflammation and obstruction of the airflow resulting in wheezing, chest tightness, stridor, low grade fever, cough, and hemoptysis due severe damage to the lung tissues. Most common diseases of the respiratory system include; pneumonia, croup, asthma, bronchitis, laryngitis, and tuberculosis, affected disease location determines the signs and symptoms. Hereditary and environmental factors such as allergens and other irritants can be a contributory factor, especially in children. However, respiratory compromise occur as a result of incomplete airway development among this vulnerable population predisposing them to chronic asthma (Huether & McCance, 2012).

Breathing is a vital process for every human. Normal breathing is practically effortless for most people, but those with asthma face a great challenge. During an asthma attack, breathing is hampered, making it difficult or even impossible for air to flow through the lungs. Asthma is an increasingly common problem, and has become the most common chronic childhood disease. At least 17 million Americans suffer from it(1), and although it can be fatal, it is usually not that severe(4). There is no cure for asthma, but with proper care, it can usually be controlled.

The feeling of a lead brick on your chest, desperately needing air but unable to draw a breath and the feeling of drowning in the very substance you need to survive. Shaking hands squeeze a canister and suddenly there is a rush of medication, an odd taste and then the brick gets lighter and lighter as gradually more oxygen comes in and once again air is flowing in and out properly. For an individual with asthma, an inhaler feels like the most amazing invention ever to grace the human mind or hands. Without the medicine stored in the tiny canister, life as is known by the average non-asthmatic would be but a dream for myself and around 25.7 million other people (Akinbami and Johnson, 2012). The idea of inhaling medicine to cure ailments started

Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that makes breathing difficult. With asthma, there is inflammation of the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. When this inflammation occurs, the asthma symptoms start to show, such as, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Even though there are many treatments for asthma symptoms, it is still a very serious disease that affects more than 22 million Americans and brings nearly 2 million E.R. visits per year. Asthma can be lived with very well as long as proper treatment measures are taken (Wrongdiagnosis).

7.7. During clinical placements I have used various assessment tools, such as the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS), when caring for patients with long term conditions. The GCS gives a reliable, objective way of recording the conscious state of a person (Teasdale & Jennett, 1974). It is used by both medical and nursing staff for initial and continuing assessment, and has a value in predicting an ultimate outcome for the patient. Within each category (eye-opening, verbal and motor responses), each level of response is allocated a numerical value, on a scale of decreasing neurological deterioration. Three figures are obtained in each section, which add up to a maximum score of 15 and a minimum of three.

Throughout the years knowledge about asthma has grown, as well as treating it effectively. Over 300 million people are said to be victims of this disease with another 100 million being estimated by 2025 globally (Currie and Baker, 2012). In the United Kingdom, asthma is increasingly becoming one of the leading disease affecting individual of different age, ethnicity, race and gender. British Lung Foundation (2011) stated that it is more common at childhood stage and can also occur at a later age. According to Asthma UK (2014) asthma in men is less prevalence than it is in women and children troubled more with asthma than adults. Recent data in the UK shows that in children and occupational asthma in adult is on the rise with an estimate

1.13. In your own words describe how asthma, which is a chronic illness, can become an acute and life threatening emergency? Asthma is a chronic long term issue where the airways become tightened making it harder to breathe. Acute asthma or exacerbation of asthma is when the airways again become tightened and inflamed, swollen and make it hard to breathe which sounds like wheezing, coughing and difficulty in consuming enough oxygen. Can be caused by a allergenic(Chrisp & Taylor, 2011)

Asthma is a lung disease characterized by variable and reversible airway obstruction, airway inflammation, and bronchial hyper-responsiveness. Causes recurring periods of wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing; coughing normally occurs at night or early morning. Asthma affects people of all ages and mostly starts in childhood. In the United States, more than twenty-five million people are diagnosed with asthma and about seven million of these people are children.

- Another initiative of Asthma Australia, Asthma Kids is a fun, interactive website to teach children with asthma about their condition.

Asthma is a chronic and long term disease in the lungs that causes tightness in the chest due to the airways being narrowed and filled with mucus. The airways become sensitive in an asthmatic patient. The airways can become red and swollen from being inflamed or go through a spasm from tightening. Patients usually have trouble sleeping and when affected by a cold or flu, the effects of asthma are amplified. Asthma is not curable but controllable and manageable because it can change and alter over time. Asthma varies from person to person and can be much more severe in certain cases.