How does the disease effect the respiratory system in particular?
How does it deviate from the definition of health discussed in
Module One?
Asthma is a condition that causes your airways to narrow, swell
and at times produce extra mucus. This causes restriction to the
airway path making it difficult for one to breathe. When you
experience a trigger, the insides of your airways swell even more.
This narrows the space for air to move in and out the lungs. The
muscles that wrap around your airways also can tighten, making
breathing even harder. When that happens, it’s called an asthma
flare-up, asthma episode or asthma “attack.” (lung.org)
One function of the lungs is to help us breathe, if we are unable to
breathe, we are then in essence not alive. The human body needs
air to survive.
%
How is the disease classified?
According to the cause:
1. Extrinsic- Allergens, food, pollen, dust and medications
2. Intrinsic- Respiratory Infections, air pollution, smoke, emotional
stress
3. Nocturnal- Often happens at night, Bronchoconstriction
4. Exercise Induced- Usually occurs 10-15 minutes after physical
activity end
5. Occupational- Reaction to substance encountered at work. Ex:
Plastic
6. Drug Induced- Usually caused by aspirin
%
Clinical Manifestations
Wheezing
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Dyspnea (difficulty breathing)
Cough
Anxiety
Tachypnoea (rapid breathing)
%
Diagnostic Test
Physical Examination
Pulmonary Function Test
Chest X-ray
Challenge Testing
Allergy Testing
https://www.lung.org/lung-health-diseases/lung-disease-lookup/asthma/
learn-about-asthma/how-asthma-affects-your-body
