Respiratory System Asthma Exacerbation

Question: Discuss about theRespiratory Systemfor Asthma Exacerbation. Answer: Introduction Asthma is a condition whose symptoms are shortness of breath, wheeze, and cough. These symptoms are accompanied by a significant inflammatory cells influx (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, 2011). Asthma has stable periods characterized by distinguished exacerbations of the symptoms. Asthma has various etiologies that lead to its severity which include occupational exposures, irritants, allergens and bacterial or viral respiratory infection. Discussion Many reasons could have led to Geronimos acute exacerbation of asthma. Respiratory infections could cause the increase in the severity of asthma (Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC. (2011). Geronimo was experience higher respiratory tract infection with an unresolved cough with breathlessness. Various respiratory infection microorganism could lead to asthma exacerbation. These pathogens are either bacteria or viruses. Geronimos asthma exacerbation may be due to allergens which include cold. Geronimos condition was getting worse during the cold seasons as there had been a thunderstorm. Some irritants could have led to Geronimos acute exacerbation of asthma. This irritant could be dust or pollen grains. Geronimos condition gets worse during the soccer match. This could be because he inhaled dust or pollen grains from the fields as he played. These irritants irritate the upper respiratory systems hence worsening the symptoms of asthma (Majak, Olszowiec-Chlebna, Smejda Stel mach, 2011). Geronimos asthma exacerbations could be cough-induced since it worsened when he was laughing or coughing. It could be exercise-induced since it worsened during the soccer match. Conclusion These triggers act through different mechanisms that lead to a common pathway involving inflammation, increased bronchial responsiveness which consequently leads to the obstruction of airflow (Ono, Taniguchi, Higashi, Mita, Kajiwara, Yamaguchi Oshikata, 2010). Therefore, Geronimos severity could be due to any of the above reasons hence further investigations are required. Classification of Asthma Introduction Asthma is grouped according to the symptoms present and severity. Asthma is divided into mild asthma, severe asthma, moderate asthma and intermittent asthma, (Stout, Visness, Enright, Lamm, Shapiro, Gan, Adams Mitchell, 2008.). These classes have varying severity as less severe symptoms are seen in intermittent asthma and most serious symptoms seen in severe persistent asthma. The grading of asthma is done using the past and current asthmatic symptoms as well as physical examination accompanied by the measures of lung function which include spirometry and peak flow measurements (Stout et al. 2008). Discussion From the medical history that the mother gave on the asthmatic condition of Geronimo, it is evident that he has intermittent asthma. An individual with intermittent asthma has symptoms of coughing and wheezing for less than two weeks. Geronimos mother states that the symptoms of coughing and wheezing had lasted for only ten days. Patients with intermittent asthma do not experience difficulties in everyday activities unless on occasions where there is an asthma exacerbation due to the various triggers (Stout et al. 2008). The mother says that Geronimo was well until he caught a cold. After he had caught a cold, it is when he started having difficulties in performing daily activities. It is after he got a cold that he began experiencing problems while playing sports due to wheezing and coughing hence he had to avoid running about with his mates so as to prevent the symptoms. The mother also states that Geronimo is usually well apart from the usual coughs he gets and that he has only mi ssed ten days of school in the last twelve months. These statements from the mother show that Geronimo is well and he has intermittent asthma. Conclusion Classification of asthma is important since the information helps the medical practitioner to come up with the right medication as well as be able to determine the proper doses needed to keep the condition in check. Classifying Geronimos asthma as intermittent will help in determining the right medication and prescriptions he should take. Results of the Spirometry Test and the Purpose of an Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) Introduction Spirometry refers to an office test that is used determine the working condition of the lungs by evaluating the amount of air that is inhaled, exhaled and how quickly do these processes occur. Spirometry is used in diagnosing conditions affecting the rate of breathing and in Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) (Francisco, Ner, Ge, Hewett Knig, 2015). Arterial Blood Gas (ABG) test is used to measure the amount of oxygen and carbon (IV) oxide in the blood as well as to determine the patients blood pH (Mousavi, Fereshtehnejad, Khalili, Naghavi Yahyazadeh, 2014) Discussion The critical measurements of the spirometry are; forced vital capacity (FVC) and Forced expiratory volume (FEV-1). FVC also implies the maximum air that can be exhaled by a person when taking a deep breathe. If FVC is lower than the normal, thus, it will imply that there is restriction of breathing. FEV-1 means the air which ones can exhale within one second from the lungs. The FEV-1 is helpful in assessing the severity of ones breathing problem. If FEC-1 is lower than normal it indicates a more significant obstruction (Francisco et al. 2015). The average values of FEV-1 are between 80% and 120%. Geronimos initial FEV-1 readings were 55% showing a significant airway obstruction due to the effect of asthma. The final FEV-1 readings after medication were 74% which showed that the condition had improved but did not reach the values of normal persons. An ABG test should be performed since the asthmatic condition reduces the amount of oxygen in the blood, increases carbon dioxide and increased acidity. Conclusion Both spirometry and ABG tests should always be performed to know the severity of the asthma so that the necessary action can be taken. Medication and treatment should be based on the findings of these tests. Forms of Asthma Medication Introduction There are various categories of asthma medication. Some medications include those which control asthma for a short time and those which are used for a long time. Other medications are used for quick-relief, and other drugs are used for allergies caused by asthma. Medications for asthma treatment are in three forms; long-term asthma control drugs, drugs used for allergy-induced asthma and the quick-relief medications. Discussion The long-term asthma control drugs are usually taken often to tame the chronic symptoms as well as prevent asthma attacks (Bush Frey, 2016). These drugs include the long-acting beta agonists, inhaled corticosteroids, theophylline, leukotriene modifiers and the combination of corticosteroids and long-acting beta agonists. The inhaled corticosteroids include mometasone, flunisolide, budesonide, ciclesonide, and fluticasone (Mori, Fujisawa, Inui, Hashimoto, Enomoto, Nakamura Yamada, 2016). The leukotriene modifiers are zileuton, zafirlukast, and montelukast. The long-acting beta agonists include formoterol and salmeterol. The combined drugs include breo, dulera, Symbicort and Advair discus. The quick-relief drugs are medicines that are taken for quick and relief in a short period of time used to treat asthma or prevent an asthma attack. These drugs include ipratropium, short-acting beta agonists like albuterol and the oral/iv corticosteroids used to deal with a more severe asthma atta ck. The oral corticosteroids for serious asthma include methylprednisolone and prednisolone. The third category contains drugs used for allergy-induced asthma. These drugs are taken more often to reduce the bodys sensitivity to the various allergens. These medications are allergy shots for immunotherapy and oxalizumab. Conclusion To keep the symptoms of asthma controlled there is need to identify the symptoms and side effects so as to enable the adjustment of treatment accordingly. 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