Pathophysiology Of Chronic Asthma And Asthma

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Introduction
Respiratory disorder mostly affect the upper or the 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 to wheezing, chest tightness, stridor, low grade fever, cough, and hemoptysis due severe damage to the lung tissues. Some common disease condition of the respiratory system are pneumonia, croup, asthma, bronchitis, or 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 factors, especially in children. The vulnerability among this group is associated with the respiratory compromise as a result of incomplete airway development (Huether & McCance, 2012).
The purpose of this paper is to describe the pathophysiology mechanisms of chronic asthma and acute asthma exacerbation, and explanation of arterial blood gas pattern during an asthma exacerbation. Also, explain how age might impact pathophysiology of asthma and asthma exacerbation. The diagnosis and treatment plan needed to relieve the presented signs and symptoms will be reviewed. Lastly, the construction of two mind maps for chronic asthma and asthma exacerbation including its epidemiology, pathophysiology, clinical presentation, diagnosis and treatment.
Pathophysiology of Chronic Asthma
Chronic asthma occur when the bronchial mucus membrane are continuously irritated by allergen or irritants initiating inflammatory reaction causing mucosal edema and bronchial spasm causing coughing, wheezing, and sometimes shortness of breath. ...

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...nt of asthma depend on the severity, asthma exacerbation needs immediate care with oxygen administration, exercise of the lungs using incentive spirometry, beta-agonist bronchodilator inhaler to relax the smooth muscles. The arterial gas result will determine the presence of alkalosis or acidosis, and mechanical ventilation is needed in the presence of acidosis (Huether & McCance, 2012).
Conclusion
Chronic asthma and asthma exacerbation can affect all ages, however people with chronic asthma should have their inhaler at all times and asthma exacerbation needs immediate medical attention to stop the bronchial spasm and maintain the normal PH by reversing the acidosis caused by retention of CO2. The triggering factors should be eliminated, since ages (especially children and elderly) are predominantly affected, bronchodilator inhaler and immediate help is recommended.

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