Paper Topic:

ASTHMA

Asthma

Introduction

Asthma is a syndrome that is characterized by various degree of airflow obstruction . Asthma can occur spontaneously and even with treatment Patients diagnosed with asthma are very sensitive to a wide range of triggering factors that makes them more responsive when compared to non-asthmatics . The triggering factors induce a special type of inflammation that leads to excessive narrowing of the airways and consequently cause a significant reduction in airflow and symptomatic wheezing and dyspnea or the feeling of breathlessness . The narrowing of the airways is reversible in most

of the cases . However , in patients with chronic asthma , some may have elements of irreversible airflow obstruction (Fauci , et al , 2008

Prevalence

Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases currently affecting an estimate of about 300 million people globally . Over the last 30 years the prevalence has risen and current statistics shows that around 10-12 of adult population and 15 of children are suffering from asthma . The prevalence was also noted to be lower in developing countries although the rise in the number of cases is already evident and appears to have an association with urbanization (Fauci , et al , 2008

Clinical features : signs and symptoms

The distinguishing symptoms of asthma are wheezing , dyspnea , and coughing . These symptoms are variable and occur both spontaneously and even with therapy . It was also noted that symptoms appear worse at night and that asthmatics typically wake up very early in the morning Some patients may also complain of difficulty filling their lungs...

6 pages

225.5 KB

Free sing-up