BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

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Bronchial asthma is chronic long disease caused by
inflammation of the airways, which results in them
narrowing.
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Airway inflamation leads hypersecretion of
mucus,airway muscle constriction and swelling of
bronchial membrane
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Thus this leads to narrowing breathing passages and
results in wheezing,coughing,dyspnea and tightness
in chest.
CAUSES
●
viral infections of the upper respiratory tract, such as colds
and flu;
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cold dry air;
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exercise
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allergens (substances that trigger an allergic reaction) such as
pollen, house dust mites, cockroaches and mould;
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cigarette smoke, bushfire smoke and other air pollutants;
●
and
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strong emotions, singing, laughing and stress.
PHYSICAL EXAMINATION
INSPECTION
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Fish mouth with superficial fast breathing
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Barrel like chest
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Cyanosis
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Orthopnea position
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Tachypnea
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Distance wheezing
 PALPATION
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Decreased tactile fremitus

PERCUSSION
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Hyper resonance

AUSCULTATION
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Decreased vesicular sound, wheezing, some crackles at end
of asthma (due to production of sputum)
DIAGNOSIS
●
Spirometry

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Peek Expiratory Flow

●
Chest X Ray
TREATMENT
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Short-acting bronchodilators, such as albuterol, to
help open the airway to provide short-term relief.
●
Inhaled corticosteroids.
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Long-acting bronchodilators used together with
inhaled corticosteroids.
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Leukotriene modifiers.
●
Cromolyn or theophylline.