Asthma pathology

Just detect Asthma!!!!

1. Shruti Richa Assistant Professor Central Institute of Pharmacy ASTHMA PATHOLOGY

2. ASTHMA Asthma is a condition in which the air pathways becomes narrow and swell and produce extra mucus which causes breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath . Asthma cannot be cured, but some of its symptoms can be controlled.

3. The lungs become inflamed for a person having asthma. This inflammation makes the airways extremely sensitive & thus, increases the susceptibility to an allergic reaction. In an allergic reaction, due to extra muscular activity, the muscles around the airway tighten, making it difficult for air to move in and out of the lungs.

4. Asthma is triggered by: Pollution Sulphur dioxide Nitrogen oxide Ozone Cold temperatures High humidity

5. SIGNS & SYMPTOMS Increasing difficulty in breathing Loosing breath easily/ shortness of breath A whistling or wheezing sound Chest pain The need to use inhaler for a quick relief is one of a major sign of asthma

6. PATHOLOGY Medical history of the patient & his family Observations during a physical examination Breathing tests: Lung/ Pulmonary function tests, is the test for asthma means how effectively it works. It measures how much air a person inhales and exhale.

7. Lung Volume test It is the most accurate way to measure how much air the lungs can hold. It measures the amount of air for one function (such as inhalation or exhalation). It’s a type of lung function test. It measures the volume of air in the lungs, including the air that remains at the end of a normal breath.

8. Peak Flow Meter A device which is used to check how well the lungs are working.

9. Spirometry test It measures the rate of air flow and estimates the lung size.  It determines the speed with which a person can expel air from the lungs or measures how much air one can blow out and how fast. It’s often used to know the amount of airway obstruction one has.

10. Pulse Oximetry estimates oxygen levels in the blood.

11. Lung Diffusion capacity Access It determines how well oxygen gets into the blood from the air you breathe.

12. Fractional Exhaled nitric acid test/ FeNO Test It measures how much nitric oxide is in the air that one exhale. One breathe into a tube connected to a machine that measures the amount if nitric oxide comes in the breath. Its levels becomes high if one’s has his airways are inflamed.

13. Arterial Blood Gas Test It directly measures the levels of gases, such as oxygen and carbon dioxide, in your blood.

14. Methacholine challenge If the symptoms and spirometry test doesn’t shows clear result.