Asthma attacks

Most of the drugs such as epinephrine and albuterol used to treat asthma attacks are bronchodilators—substances that expand the bronchial passages Newer drugs are designed to either inhibit the enzyme 5 lipoxygenase which acts on arachidomc acid m the first stage of leukotriene biosynthesis or to block leukotriene receptors... 

Intrinsic asthma, also called idiopathic asthma, usually develops in adulthood. In intrinsic asthma allergic factors are not demonstrable. Episodes of intrinsic asthma may be triggered by a variety of stimuli, eg, emotional state, exposure to cold air, or inert dusts. Both intrinsic and extrinsic asthmatics can be prone to exercise-induced attacks. Individuals who experience a combination of extrinsic and intrinsic asthmatic reactions have mixed asthma. Status asthmaticus refers to an especially acute life-threatening asthma attack which is resistant to normal treatments and which may require hospitalization in order to stabilize the patient. 

Theophylline s predominant mode of action appears to be bronchocHlation. However, it has also been shown that prophylactic acHriinistration of theophylline provides some protection from asthma attacks and suppresses the late-phase response (67,68). Some researchers beHeve that at therapeutic semm concentrations theophylline may inhibit the development of airway inflammation (69). There are conflicting reports on the effect of theophylline on allergen-induced bronchial hyperresponsiveness some clinical stucHes report a reduction in hyper-responsiveness, others do not (69,70). Theophylline clearly does not reverse the general bronchial hyperresponsiveness over the course of long-term therapy (71). Because of the relationship between... 

O3 Decrement in pulmonary function Coughing, chest discomfort Increased asthma attacks... 

Increase in incidence and severity of asthma attacks moderate < ye irritation... 

Occasional asthma attacks, less than 2 per month Rapid-acting inhaled P2-agonist None... 

Asthma attacks less than twice a week FEV1 >80% Rapid-acting inhaled p2-agonist Low dose inhaled glucocorticoid or cromone (children)... 

Asthma attacks more than twice a week FEV1 60-80% daily use of bronchodilators. Rapid-acting inhaled p2-agonist Inhaled glucocorticoid... 

Severe, life-threatening asthma attacks inhaled p2-agonists ineffective Oxygen Glucocorticoids oral or i.v. 

Cromones are used to prevent asthma attacks. To be effective they have to betaken continuously. Their mechanism of action is poorly understood. Cromones (cromolyn sodium, nedocromil) act as mast cell-stabilizing agents,... 

Triggering of asthma attacks in asthmatics. This side effect is a pseudo-allergic reaction where COX-inhibition increases the availability of substrates for lipoxygenase, which are converted to broncho-constrictive leukotriens... 

These dru are contraindicated in patients with a known hypersensitivity to the dragp. Montelukast, zaflrlukast, and zileuton are not used in the reversal of bronchospasm in acute asthma attacks. Zileuton is con-... 

The mast cell stabilizers are contraindicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to the drugp. The mast cell stabilizers are contraindicated in patients during attacks of acute astiima because they may worsen bron-chospasm during tiie acute asthma attack. 

Once diagnosed, patients with AlA should avoid aspirin and any other NSAIDs strongly inhibiting COX-1 their education is of utmost importance. They should receive a list of contraindicated and well-tolerated analgesics (table 2). Even topical administration (intravascular or by iontophoresis) of a NSAID may cause an asthma attack and should be avoided. 

Szczeklik A, Gryglewski RJ, Czerniawska-Mysik G Relationship of inhibition of prostaglandin biosynthesis by analgesics to asthma attacks in aspirin-sensitive patients. Br Med J 1975 1 67-69. 

Jenkins C, Costello J, Hodge L Systematic review of prevalence of aspirin-induced asthma and its implications for clinical practice. BMJ 2004 328 434-437. Baldassarre S, Schandene L, Choufani G, Michils A Asthma attacks induced by low doses of celecoxib, aspirin and acetaminophen. J Allergy Clin Immunol 2006 117 215-217. 

Develop a patient education plan that fits the patient s needs. Educate about the differences between the asthmatic and normal lung and what happens to the lung during an asthma attack. Counsel the patient on how their medications work and differentiate between longterm control and quick relief medications. 

One of the most convincing demonstrations of the effect of placebos on asthma was conducted by a research team led by Thomas Luparello, a psychiatrist at the State University of New York.41 Luparello s team asked 40 asthmatic patients to inhale what they presented as irritants or allergens previously identified by the subjects as triggers for their asthmatic attacks. In fact, the substance they inhaled was an inert saline solution - simple table salt dissolved in water. Nineteen of the 40 asthmatic patients reacted with a significant increase in airway resistance, and 12 of them developed full-blown bronchospasm attacks. These asthma attacks were then reversed by the administration of a placebo presented as an asthma medication. 

The most important health effects, in terms of economic damages that can be assigned monetary values, are premature mortality and increased incidence of chronic heart and lung disease. The air pollutants that have shown the strongest association with premature mortality and heart and lung disease are PM and airborne lead. PM has also been associated with hospital admissions, respiratory infections, and asthma attacks. Ozone has also been associated with mortality, hospital admissions, asthma attacks and respiratory restricted activity days (RADs), days on which a person cuts back on his or her normal activities, but does not necessarily miss work or stay in bed. S02 and NOx do not have such significant direct effects, though they do have... 

Your entire life is affected when one whiff of perfume, fabric softener or fresh paint can result in a throbbing headache, brain dysfunction, an asthma attack, a convulsion or a myriad of other symptoms. Work performance, relationships and community ties collapse when your olfactory system is so heightened that you become ill from the smell of laundry products on the clothes of someone sitting all the way across the room. Fear overcomes you when suddenly carpeting, photocopies, car exhaust and other products produce the same effects, and the only way to protect yourself is through isolation. 

Through many hours of consultations with experts in toxicology, medicine and environmental health, Ka ren learned about MCS, and finally realized that even she and her other daughter Mariah, age nine at interview, were reacting to chemicals from fragrances and other sources. It explained to her why Alanna s colds and sore throats so often developed into pneumonia or bronchitis, and why she experienced asthma attacks for no apparent reason. This awakening also prompted her to examine her own history of chemical exposures. 

I found nontoxic paints and sealers to use in my house in Victoria and tore out the carpeting. One winter we went without heat because Nathan would have an asthma attack every time I turned it on. I wouldn t allow my mother to come over for almost a year because she always wore perfume and Nathan would have an asthma attack after she left. It took her a long time to understand. When my mom finally said to me, Kate, I understand what you re telling me, after years of not understanding, it was a turning point for me. Then I could move ahead. 

Why does a person suffering from an asthma attack attempt to inhale more air ... 

The passage mentions all of the following bodily changes during an asthma attack except... 

In addition, the FASEB report stated that a small percentage of individuals with severe, poorly controlled asthma may be prone to MSG symptom complex and suffer temporary bronchospasm or other symptoms for 6-12 hours after consuming MSG in doses of 0.5-2.5 grams. However, Woessner et al. (1999) found no evidence that MSG could induce asthma attacks in asthmatic subjects and advised maintaining a healthy skepticism about the existence of MSG sensitivity in asthma patients. In a similar vein, Stevenson (2000) criticized previous studies which suggested that MSG could induce asthma, pointing out that asthmatic patients who were challenged with MSG failed to experience symptoms. 

O Respiratory acidosis occurs when someone has difficulty breathing, as in an asthma attack, or when someone is in an area with insufficient ventilation. Symptoms of acidosis include fainting and depression of the nervous system. 

Among the many effects of histamine are edematogenic alterations in vascular endothelium and bronchoconstriction. The latter may be particularly pertinent, in view of its being a central manifestation of asthma attacks and of the reported association of asthma attacks with photochemical air pollution. Bronchoconstriction has also been observed in animals and man experimentally exposed to ozone or photochemical air pollution. 

---