Pathophysiology Acute Severe Asthma

RUNNING HEAD: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ACUTE SEVERE ASTHMA
PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ACUTE SEVERE ASTHMA
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RUNNING HEAD: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ACUTE SEVERE ASTHMA
Question 1: The pathogenesis causing the clinical manifestations with which Jackson Smith
presented with
Disease: Acute Severe Asthma with severe dyspnea
Definition: Acute Severe Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs, which can be controlled but
not cured. It results in excessive lung function variations by limiting airflow supply compared to
healthy people (Papiris, Manali, Kolilekas, Triantafillidou & Tsangaris, 2009).
AETIOLOGY:
Variation of the lung function, which restricts breathing resulting from:
 Virus induced such as Rhinovirus (RV), Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV), Influenza
virus and Human metapneumovirus (HMV)
 Bacteria induced
o Mycoplasma pneumonia
o Chlamydia pneumonia
 Occupational
o Chemical exposure
o Animal exposure
 Irritants
o Airway pollutants
 Allergen
o Tree, weed and grass pollen
o Indoor allergens
o Fungi (Hedlin, Bush, Carlsen, Wennergren, De Benedictis, Melén, Paton, Wilson
& Carlsen, 2010)
PATHOGENESIS:
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RUNNING HEAD: PATHOPHYSIOLOGY ACUTE SEVERE ASTHMA
 Immunopathogenesis includes cold symptoms which decrease in peak flow with RV
infections.
 In allergen based asthma exacerbations include increase eosinophil recruitment and
degranulation.
 Development of acute severe asthma leads to blocking of the passageway of breathing
leading to shortness of breath and decreased activities and functionalities.
Asthma is a common chronic disease, pathophysiology of asthma is rather complex includes
airway inflammation, bronchial hyper responsiveness and intermittent airflow obstruction
(Murphy & O'Byrne, 2010).
CLINICAL MANIFESTATIONS:
 Chest tightness or pain
 Short ness of breath
 Trouble sleeping from shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing
 Whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
 Coughing or wheezing worsened by means of respiratory virus of flu or the cold
DIAGNOSIS
 History
 Physical examination
 Considering other diagnosis
 Documenting variable airflow limitation (Lemanske Jr & Busse, 2010)
TREATMENT
Acute Severe Asthma attack is triggered by flu, allergens or from other potential triggers,
treatment for which includes;
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