- Feb 2025
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accesspharmacy-mhmedical-com.proxy.lib.wayne.edu accesspharmacy-mhmedical-com.proxy.lib.wayne.eduAsthma13
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The bronchial glands are increased in size and the goblet cells are increased in size and number in asthma.
hyperplasia (increase in number) + hypertrophy (increase in size)
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Allergen inhalation in allergic patients causes an early-phase reaction (within minutes) that, in some cases, may be followed by a late-phase reaction (hours later).
Histamine release is very quick, this is that "early-phase" reaction.
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it is critical to identify factors that initiate, intensify, and modulate the inflammatory response of the airways and to determine how these processes produce the characteristic airway abnormalities.
This is basically the guideline/goals on asthma treatment procedures, we identify these factors in order to aid the patient.
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Airway narrowing is the ultimate endpoint of the inflammatory processes and is a function of airway smooth muscle contraction, with potential remodeling due to structural changes, and airway plugging by mucus hypersecretion
Nicely put: this is the big issue. Our goal is to nip the inflammation in the bud before it can become chronic.
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Viral respiratory tract infections
GET YOUR INFLUENZA SHOTS PEOPLE! It can be a nice introduction to your body without getting the actual disease.
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Epidemics of severe asthma in cities have followed exposures to high concentrations of aeroallergens.
Because pollution is an irritant which can cause asthma episodes.
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However, most patients do not die from disease progression and their life span is not different from the general population.
Not a death sentence, but you have to make sure to manage the symptoms and the flare ups.
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most longitudinal studies have suggested a more rapid rate of decline in lung function in people with asthma
pathologies beget pathologies
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The inflammatory process in asthma is treated most effectively with corticosteroids, with the inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) having the greatest efficacy and safety with long-term use.
As opposed to COPD
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Prescription drugs were the largest single direct medical expenditure per person
Brand name only solutions being covered by insurance, nebulizers (the compressor and the associated tubing), masks to ease in the medication... the costs add up.
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asthma is a genetic disease strongly influenced by environmental exposures
A good way to put it
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Self-reported asthma is more common in persons with incomes below 450% of the the poverty threshold (
Also important to note that there is an intersectional element to this concept. Poor people, people who live in cities (think pollution, a lack of ventilation, pests) , minorities, all of this can continually increase chances of being afflicted with asthma. Thus, if a patient falls into the intersections of asthma, it would be wise to screen with proactiveness, before symptoms exacerbate.
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adds that the variable airflow obstruction is often reversible either spontaneously or with treatment although reversibility may not be complete in some patients with asthma
REMEMBER REVERSIBLE!! It is not irreversible narrowing like with chronic asthma. The airways will become mucus filled and fibrotic, fibrosis is never reversible, you lose that elasticity and ease of breathing in and out with chronic asthma.
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