Asthma

This video tutorial covers the history, examination, differential diagnosis, investigations and management of asthma.  

A detailed presentation about Respiratory Distress & Status asthmaticus in Paediatric patients  

This video - produced by students at Oxford University Medical School in conjunction with the faculty - demonstrates how to use a nebuliser and explain correct inhaler technique to a patient. It is part of a series of videos covering Respiratory Medicine skills.  

slide presentation of childhood asthma, covering about epidemiology, pathology, presentation, investigation and management and prognosis.  

Case history with pathophysiology, diagnosis and treatment. Patient details changed to preserve anonymity.  

provides details of Management of asthma exacerbations in adults  

simple classification used for asthma given very briefly.  

By: Mohammed K. Abo Jalanbo, Intern Doctor, IUG School of Medicine  

 

 

Patients with respiratory disease (breathing problems) such as asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) often require medication in the form of inhalers. Basically they need to inhale, hence the term inhalers, the medication via their mouth into their lungs.  

 

80% of clinical information comes from the history. Shortness of breath Onset – when? How (was it sudden / prolonged)?  - Rapid, slow, subacute (inbetween acute and slow (chronic)) Sudden: Anaphylaxis Anxiety (panic attack) MI PE Acute asthma Anxiety Long term onset of shortness of breath  

Histamine H1-receptor antagonists These are not used in the management of respiratory conditions. They are mostly effective against mast cell activated inflammatory reactions. In asthma, mast cells are involved in the early stages of the reaction, but their role is not great enough to respond to therapeutic modification. These drugs are useful in patients with very mild atopic asthma, such as in cases of hay fever.  

Inhaled corticosteroids  These are used for their anti-inflammatory effects in asthma. They are very effective in asthma, but are of limited use in COPD.   Mechanism If you want lots of info on steroids, see the Cushing’s disease notes. In relation to asthma:  

Leukotriene receptor antagonists These are given in oral tablet form and are used to treat severe chronic asthma. They are only ever used in conjunction with corticosteroids.   Mechanism They block the LTD4 receptor on smooth muscle, which normally responds to leukotriene activation. Thus by blocking this receptor they prevent bronchoconstriction.  

Upper Respiratory Tract Infections These account for up to 80% of all RTI’s in children. They can involve the ears, nose, throat and sinuses. They are rarely serious and will not often require hospitalisation. They can become an issue when: A very young child has an RTI that causes a severely ‘blocked nose’ as this can affect feeding. This may result in hospitalisation. There are associated febrile convulsions The RTI causes an exacerbation of asthma  

Understand asthma with this clear explanation by Dr. Roger Seheult.  

Understand asthma with this clear explanation by Dr. Roger Seheult.  

Plans to allow schools to keep asthma inhalers go to public consultation, as campaigners say current rules endanger hundreds of thousands of children.