Unit 4 Capstone Project Asthma
Asthma: A Chronic Inflammatory Disease of the Airway
Michael Edwards
HS200-05
Unit 4 Capstone Project: Asthma
Kaplan University
March 30, 2015
Asthma: A Chronic Inflammatory Disease of the Airway
Tammy is a 17-year-old girl who has just been diagnosed with asthma. She is a cheerleader for her high school and is very busy with social events throughout the year. Next year Tammy will attend View University on a cheerleading scholarship. She is excited, but is a little nervous about living away from home. Lately she has been having trouble controlling her asthma. This paper will discuss the pathogenesis of Asthma, normal functioning of the respiratory system, the signs and symptoms of the disease, and the effects of asthma on the rest of the body.
Diagnostic Testing for Asthma
Before a patient is diagnosed with asthma they have to go through a number of tests to determine if they in fact have asthma. Lung Functioning tests and allergy tests are often used to diagnose asthma (WebMD, 2014).
Spirometry and the methacholine challenge are two types of lung functioning tests. “Spirometry is a simple breathing test that measures how much and how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It is often used to determine the amount of airway obstruction you have.” (WebMD, para. 4). “The methacholine challenge test may be performed if your symptoms and screening spirometry do not clearly or convincingly establish a diagnosis of asthma.”(WebMD, para 4)
Allergy tests are used to determine any triggers or causes of asthma. Doctor’s may also test to see if you have any food allergies, or if you are allergic to pollen or other things. (WebMD, 2014). These types of testing can help a Doctor determine if a patient has any coexisting conditions such as GERD or sinusitis and how they impact the patient’s asthma.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments
Patients may elect to practice complementary and alternative treatment instead of traditional medicine when
Michael Edwards
HS200-05
Unit 4 Capstone Project: Asthma
Kaplan University
March 30, 2015
Asthma: A Chronic Inflammatory Disease of the Airway
Tammy is a 17-year-old girl who has just been diagnosed with asthma. She is a cheerleader for her high school and is very busy with social events throughout the year. Next year Tammy will attend View University on a cheerleading scholarship. She is excited, but is a little nervous about living away from home. Lately she has been having trouble controlling her asthma. This paper will discuss the pathogenesis of Asthma, normal functioning of the respiratory system, the signs and symptoms of the disease, and the effects of asthma on the rest of the body.
Diagnostic Testing for Asthma
Before a patient is diagnosed with asthma they have to go through a number of tests to determine if they in fact have asthma. Lung Functioning tests and allergy tests are often used to diagnose asthma (WebMD, 2014).
Spirometry and the methacholine challenge are two types of lung functioning tests. “Spirometry is a simple breathing test that measures how much and how fast you can blow air out of your lungs. It is often used to determine the amount of airway obstruction you have.” (WebMD, para. 4). “The methacholine challenge test may be performed if your symptoms and screening spirometry do not clearly or convincingly establish a diagnosis of asthma.”(WebMD, para 4)
Allergy tests are used to determine any triggers or causes of asthma. Doctor’s may also test to see if you have any food allergies, or if you are allergic to pollen or other things. (WebMD, 2014). These types of testing can help a Doctor determine if a patient has any coexisting conditions such as GERD or sinusitis and how they impact the patient’s asthma.
Complementary and Alternative Medicine Treatments
Patients may elect to practice complementary and alternative treatment instead of traditional medicine when
References: Ali, R. (2014, February 25). What Is Asthma? Airway Obstruction & Inflammation Picture and Information. Retrieved from http://www.webmd.com/asthma/guide/what-is-asthma? AAAAI. (2015). Asthma symptoms, diagnosis, management & treatment. Retrieved from http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/asthma.aspx Bergeron, C., Tulic, M. K., & Hamid, Q. (2010). Airway remodeling in asthma: From benchside to clinical practice. Canadian Respiratory Journal : Journal of the Canadian Thoracic Society, 17(4), e85–e93. Elridge, L (2015). Bronchioles – Anatomy, Function, and Diseases. Retrieved from http://lungcancer.about.com/Respiratory-System-Function/a/Bronchioles.htm Frazier, M.S., & Drzymkowski, J.W. (2013). Essentials of Human Diseases and Conditions [VitalSouce bookshelf version]. Retrieved from https://online.vitalsource.com/#/books/978-1-4377-2408-0/pages/55860887 What Is Asthma? (n.d.), from http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma American Lung Association, Create an Asthma Management Plan (2015). Retrieved from http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/taking-control-of-asthma/create-an-asthma-management-plan.html American Lung Association, Asthma & Children Fact Sheet. (2014). Retrieved from http://www.lung.org/lung-disease/asthma/resources/facts-and-figures/asthma-children-fact-sheet.html