Asthma: Pathophysiology, Etiology, Prevalence, Signs, and Symptoms - Essay Example

Athma: Definition, Pathophysiology, Etiology, Prevalence, and Signs and Symptoms Definition of Asthma Asthma is a chronic lungs’ disease which consists of two prime components; constriction and inflammation. An individual who suffers from asthma experiences the tightening of the smooth muscles inside the lungs that surround the airways, which is called as constriction. The individual also experiences irritation or swelling of the airways, which is known as inflammation. The airways become narrow as a result of the inflammation and constriction, thus causing the patient to experience such symptoms as shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, and pain in the chest. If the treatment is not taken in time, asthma can lead to a long-term dysfunction of the lungs. Pathophysiology of asthma Asthma can physiologically be classified as a partially reversible hindrance in the flow of air. Pathologically, asthma is the condition in which the mucus glands are overdeveloped and cause thickening of the airway because of inflammation and scarring as well as bronchoconstriction. In asthma, the surrounding smooth muscles inside the lungs are tightened thus causing the narrowing of airways. Swelling in result of an immune response to the allergens and edema may also cause the bronchial inflammation. Asthma is the airways’ chronic disorder and is characterized by the inflammation of airway, airway remodeling, and persistent airway hyperreactivity. Asthma’s etiology is multifactorial and complicated. A number of studies have found genetics an important causal factor of the development of asthma. Genetics is especially a cause of atopic asthma. Infections acquired during early childhood and environmental stimuli are also important causes of asthma. “Most current data seem to suggest that these factors drive the development of a Th-2 lymphocyte-predominant immune response, which has been associated with atopy and IgE-mediated inflammation” (Maddox and Schwartz, 2002). Contemporary research has also challenged the concept of reversible obstruction of airflow. However, this is beyond doubt that asthma is caused by the changes in the chronic airway that in turn cause obstruction in the progressive airflow. Factors that can be understood as part of the pathophysiology of asthma include but are not limited to immune system, triggers, allergy, inflammation, airway remodeling, and bronchoconstriction. Etiology of Asthma All potential causes of asthma have not been identified to date. However, there is considerable evidence for certain factors that have been commonly identified as the causes of asthma in the literature. These causal factors include but are not limited to heredity, allergens, and environmental factors. As per the latest Expert Panel Report (EPR) that the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute published in the year 1997, “Atopy, the genetic predisposition for the development of an IgE-mediated response to common aeroallergens, is the strongest identifiable predisposing factor for developing asthma” (classes.kumc.edu, n.d.). Asthma can basically be categorized in two ways; intrinsic or idiosyncratic, and extrinsic or allergic. Intrinsic or idiosyncratic asthma is caused by the neurological imbalances of the autonomic nervous system (ANS). Asthma is caused by the lack of or poor coordination between the cholinergic sites of the ANS and the alpha and beta adrenergic. Extrinsic or allergic asthma is caused by the antigen reaction upon the respiratory tract’s mast cells. Children suffering from asthma in the age range of 5 to 15 years normally have the extrinsic basis of asthma attack. “According to Adams and Marano, CDC 1995, asthma affects an estimated 4.8 million children and is the most common chronic disease of childhood” (classes.kumc.edu, n.d.). Prevalence of Asthma Asthma is observed in adults as well as in children. Attack of asthma in adulthood to old age is commonly attributed to the intrinsic asthma. Incidence of asthma in the adult population is 1 per cent whereas that in children less than 15 years of age is 5 to 15 per cent (classes.kumc.edu, n.d.). As a result of this antibody reaction, the inflammatory cells are released from the mast cells that bring forth the clinical response linked with the attack of asthma. A considerable population of the Americans suffers from Asthma. According to an estimate, almost 17 million Americans have asthma of which, up to 5 million are children. During the last decade and a half, an increase in the prevalence of asthma by more than 50 per cent has been observed (Healthcare South, 2001). “There are over five hundred thousands hospitalizations each year, making asthma on of the top five most expensive diseases our healthcare system must cover” (Healthcare South, 2001). In spite of such a massive prevalence of asthma, it can be cured with proper treatment. Signs and Symptoms of Asthma The symptoms of asthma can be anywhere between minor and severe and the symptoms differ from one patient to another. An individual may experience infrequent attacks of asthma or experience the symptoms at specific occasions like during exercising. Likewise, an individual may experience its symptoms all the time. Signs and symptoms of asthma include but are not limited to shortness of breath, trouble during sleep due to wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath, pain or tightness in the chest, whistling during exhaling, and severe wheezing or coughing when asthma is accompanied with flu or cold. When the asthma is worsening, the individual experiences more severe signs and symptoms like difficult breathing. Chances of experiencing the symptoms increase during exercise particularly in a cold and dry atmosphere. “Exercising in the winter seems to be particularly bad for patients with this type of asthma as cold air and sudden changes in the temperature of the air one breathes are normally found at this time of year” (Healthcare South, 2001). Occupational asthma is triggered by irritants present in the workplace like dust, suspended particles of asbestos, gases, or chemical fumes. Asthma may also be triggered by allergens like pollen, cockroaches, or pet dander. In extreme cases, patients of asthma may experience very difficult breathing, lose their ability to speak so that they cannot finish a sentence, have their skin between the ribs and above the breastbone sucked in, have flared nostrils, and blue lips, or may faint or become unconscious. References: classes.kumc.edu. (n.d.). Etiology of Asthma. Retrieved from http://classes.kumc.edu/cahe/respcared/asthma/asetiol.html. Healthcare South. (2001, Nov.). Definition of asthma. Retrieved from http://www.healthcaresouth.com/pages/asthmadef.htm. Maddox, L., Schwartz, D. A. (2002). The pathophysiology of asthma. Annual Review of Medicine. 53: 477-498. Read More