Asthma Case
Introduction
Asthma is chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs which cause recurrent bronchial obstruction. Its symptoms demonstrate as shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, chest tightness as well as cyanosis. It is the most common chronic disease among children. This case is on a five-year-old girl called Jessica who was in emergency department for an asthma attack and was diagnosed with moderately severe asthma. The following essay will focus on Jessica’s case and explain the pathophysiology and pharmacology of asthma as well as her symptoms.
Pathophysiology
Asthma develops from the interaction between genetic and environment factors and its triggers can be various from person to person. It is characterized by reversible …show more content…
As there is a decreased pressure within the lungs for filling with blocked air, the patient feel it hard to inhale and exhale. The muscles around the lungs pressed against it which contributes to the feeling of chest tightness.
Pharmacology
The ED consultant prescribes inhaled Salbutamol, inhaled Ipratropium as well as PO Prednisolone to Jessica. As the symptoms of asthma result from a combination of inflammation and bronchoconstriction, the pharmacological treatment focuses on anti-inflammation by using glucocorticoids and bronchodilation by using β2 agonists.
Salbutamol
Salbutamol helps to open up the airways and so relieves the symptoms of bronchospasm. Salbutamol is a short acting β2 adrenergic agonists. It takes effect by stimulating β2 adrenergic receptors associated with bronchioles. As a result the calcium levels within cells of smooth muscles are lowered. The smooth muscle then becomes relaxed and bronchodilation is thus achieved. It is given by an inhaler, so that the medication is delivered directly into the airways and lungs and its effect is apparent within minutes. It is absorbed from bronchi, metabolized in liver and excreted by kidneys. What needs to be aware of is that Salbutamol can, however, causes tremor and palpitations by stimulating β2 receptors in heart so that the dose requires to be well …show more content…
It acts to reduce the inflammatory response by preventing release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells. Prednisolone is taken orally so that the absorption is rapid and nearly complete. It is distributed by bounding to plasma proteins metabolized in liver and excreted by kidney. The common adverse effects of Prednisolone include infections, hypertension, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia and diabetes, osteoporosis as well as growth retardation. It should be noticed that the medication needs to be ordered in decreasing dose before it is completely stopped and patients on this medication requires random check of blood sugar
Asthma is chronic inflammatory disease of the airways in the lungs which cause recurrent bronchial obstruction. Its symptoms demonstrate as shortness of breath, wheezing, cough, chest tightness as well as cyanosis. It is the most common chronic disease among children. This case is on a five-year-old girl called Jessica who was in emergency department for an asthma attack and was diagnosed with moderately severe asthma. The following essay will focus on Jessica’s case and explain the pathophysiology and pharmacology of asthma as well as her symptoms.
Pathophysiology
Asthma develops from the interaction between genetic and environment factors and its triggers can be various from person to person. It is characterized by reversible …show more content…
As there is a decreased pressure within the lungs for filling with blocked air, the patient feel it hard to inhale and exhale. The muscles around the lungs pressed against it which contributes to the feeling of chest tightness.
Pharmacology
The ED consultant prescribes inhaled Salbutamol, inhaled Ipratropium as well as PO Prednisolone to Jessica. As the symptoms of asthma result from a combination of inflammation and bronchoconstriction, the pharmacological treatment focuses on anti-inflammation by using glucocorticoids and bronchodilation by using β2 agonists.
Salbutamol
Salbutamol helps to open up the airways and so relieves the symptoms of bronchospasm. Salbutamol is a short acting β2 adrenergic agonists. It takes effect by stimulating β2 adrenergic receptors associated with bronchioles. As a result the calcium levels within cells of smooth muscles are lowered. The smooth muscle then becomes relaxed and bronchodilation is thus achieved. It is given by an inhaler, so that the medication is delivered directly into the airways and lungs and its effect is apparent within minutes. It is absorbed from bronchi, metabolized in liver and excreted by kidneys. What needs to be aware of is that Salbutamol can, however, causes tremor and palpitations by stimulating β2 receptors in heart so that the dose requires to be well …show more content…
It acts to reduce the inflammatory response by preventing release of inflammatory mediators from mast cells. Prednisolone is taken orally so that the absorption is rapid and nearly complete. It is distributed by bounding to plasma proteins metabolized in liver and excreted by kidney. The common adverse effects of Prednisolone include infections, hypertension, hypokalemia, hyperglycemia and diabetes, osteoporosis as well as growth retardation. It should be noticed that the medication needs to be ordered in decreasing dose before it is completely stopped and patients on this medication requires random check of blood sugar