Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease characterized by blockages in the airways that cause difficulties breathing. It is relatively common, particularly in childhood. There are two main types of asthma, intrinsic and extrinsic. They each have different causes and physiological mechanisms. Intrinsic asthma is also referred to as non-atopic or non-allergic asthma because the condition is not caused by allergic reactions to environmental stimuli. Environmental stimuli ranging from smoke to air quality might trigger an asthma attack in persons with intrinsic asthma independently of the immune system (Ulrick, et al., 1995). Triggers of intrinsic asthma include anxiety or overexertion. Extrinsic asthma is by definition caused by allergic reactions to things like dust. As Ulrick, et al. (1995) note, "the pathogenic mechanisms underlying intrinsic and extrinsic asthma in children may differ," (p. 547). Sibbald & Turner-Warwick (1979) found that relatives of children suffering from extrinsic asthma are more likely to have relatives with other autoimmune responses like hay fever. Even the immunopathology of extrinsic and intrinsic asthma may be similar in that "there might be local IgE production directed against unknown antigens, possibly of viral origin or even autoantigens, in this important clinically distinct variant of the disease," (Humbert, et al., 2000,...
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1993). Using a rigid-tube bronchoscope, the bronchial biopsies were taken under local anaesthesia from two different airway levels: (a) inside the right upper lobe bronchus, and (b) at the opening of the right middle lobe (Laitinen et al. 1993). Preparations of the specimens thereby obtained were completed for light as well as electron microscopy; the researchers also used slot grids 1 x 2 mm which facilitated photography of a large
Respiratory Infections Respiratory Conditions Respiratory tract infections are highly infectious diseases that involve the respiratory tract. They are divided into upper (URTI or URI) and lower respiratory tract infections (LRTI or LRI). LRIs include pneumonia, bronchitis and influenza, and they tend to affect patients more seriously that URIs which include the common cold, tonsillitis, sinusitis and laryngitis. This research dwells on four respiratory infections which are bronchitis, bronchial asthma, exercise-induced bronchospasm and
It has also been suggested that low-level viral replication associated with RSV may be a driver in chronic inflammation in some sufferers of chronic lung disease, although this is so far uncertain (Openshaw, 2005). It is estimated that infants who develop a wheeze as a result of RSV contraction develop a recurring wheeze in around two thirds of all cases. It is also estimated that around half of these children
Asthma and ER utilization Asthma Asthma is a particularly debilitating condition. Asthma is characterized by a tightening in the chest with difficulty in breathing and wheezing. This difficulty in breathing can result, at best, in a decrease in quality of life and the inability of carry out normal function. At worst, the symptoms of asthma can lead to death. Incidences of asthma have increased significantly in the last twenty years. This is
Chronic asthma is considered to be a chronic inflammatory disorder of the bronchial mucosa that results in constriction of airways, bronchial hyper-responsiveness, and variable airflow obstruction that is reversible. Chronic asthma on the cellular level is characterized by an increase in the secretion of mucus and bronchoconstriction stimuli. Chronic asthma can be damaging to the epithelial cells found in the lungs, which can cause the reoccurrence a lot quicker leading
Asthma is an obstructive airway disease that is reversible. It is characterized by hyper-responsiveness of the airways, resulting in chronic inflammation and bronchospasm. Chronic bronchitis and emphysema are other examples of obstructive airway diseases that are reversible. (CH, 2011) Asthma can either be extrinsic, also known as atopic asthma, or intrinsic, which is also called non-atopic asthma. Extrinsic asthma is the more common variety, comprising of about seventy percent of all
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