COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE TO ASTHMA, COPD,
AND INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASES
What is asthma characterized by? - ANS -Reversible airway narrowing
and chronic inflammation of the airways.
What are the common symptoms of asthma? - ANS -Wheezing,
breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in
the early morning.
What causes airway obstruction in asthma? - ANS -Contraction of the
airway smooth muscle and swelling of the airway wall.
What are the main pathophysiological features of asthma? - ANS -
Airflow obstruction (reversible), airway hyper-responsiveness, and
airway inflammation.
What triggers airway narrowing in asthma? - ANS -Environmental
irritants (e.g., allergens, dust mites), physical activity (e.g., exercise-
induced), or other diseases/infections.
,What happens during an asthma exacerbation? - ANS -Difficulty in
releasing air from the lungs on expiration, leading to air trapping in the
alveoli.
What is the equal pressure point (EPP) in relation to asthma? - ANS -
During an asthma attack, the EPP moves closer to the alveoli, causing
dynamic airway collapse.
What are some permanent changes in the airways due to chronic
asthma? - ANS -Increased smooth muscle, increased bronchial blood
vessels, increased thickening of collagen layers, and decreased
distensibility of the airway.
What are common allergens that trigger asthma? - ANS -Pollen, animal
dander, and dust mites.
What are common irritants that can trigger asthma symptoms? - ANS -
Strong smells, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke.
What are some other triggers for asthma? - ANS -Upper respiratory
infections, changes in weather, exercise, and strong emotional
expressions.
,How can asthma triggers be reduced in a classroom setting? - ANS -Mop
and damp dust often, reduce clutter, use low-odour cleaning products,
and keep windows closed on high pollen days.
What is the role of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in
asthma? - ANS -They provide guidelines for the diagnosis and
management of asthma.
What is the significance of airway hyper-responsiveness in asthma? -
ANS -It indicates an increased sensitivity of the airways to various
stimuli.
How does asthma affect breathing during an attack? - ANS -It takes
longer to empty the airways, making it difficult to breathe in and out.
What is the impact of long-term asthma symptoms on the airway
epithelium? - ANS -It can lead to hyperresponsiveness and altered
smooth muscle function.
What is the result of chronic inflammation in asthma? - ANS -It may
cause non-reversible airway obstruction.
, What are some strategies to manage asthma triggers in daily life? - ANS
-Minimize exposure to allergens, use air purifiers, and maintain a clean
environment.
What is the importance of cleaning in asthma management? - ANS -
Regular cleaning helps reduce allergens and irritants that can trigger
asthma symptoms.
What is the relationship between exercise and asthma? - ANS -Exercise
can trigger asthma symptoms, especially in cold weather.
How can emotional stress impact asthma? - ANS -Strong emotional
expressions such as stress and anxiety can trigger asthma symptoms.
What is the role of mucus in asthma? - ANS -Mucus hyper-secretion can
contribute to airway obstruction.
What are goblet cells and their relevance to asthma? - ANS -Goblet cells
can become hyperplastic in asthma, leading to increased mucus
production.
What is eosinophilic inflammation in asthma? - ANS -It refers to the
presence of eosinophils in the airway, contributing to inflammation and
airway hyper-responsiveness.
AND INTERSTITIAL LUNG DISEASES
What is asthma characterized by? - ANS -Reversible airway narrowing
and chronic inflammation of the airways.
What are the common symptoms of asthma? - ANS -Wheezing,
breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in
the early morning.
What causes airway obstruction in asthma? - ANS -Contraction of the
airway smooth muscle and swelling of the airway wall.
What are the main pathophysiological features of asthma? - ANS -
Airflow obstruction (reversible), airway hyper-responsiveness, and
airway inflammation.
What triggers airway narrowing in asthma? - ANS -Environmental
irritants (e.g., allergens, dust mites), physical activity (e.g., exercise-
induced), or other diseases/infections.
,What happens during an asthma exacerbation? - ANS -Difficulty in
releasing air from the lungs on expiration, leading to air trapping in the
alveoli.
What is the equal pressure point (EPP) in relation to asthma? - ANS -
During an asthma attack, the EPP moves closer to the alveoli, causing
dynamic airway collapse.
What are some permanent changes in the airways due to chronic
asthma? - ANS -Increased smooth muscle, increased bronchial blood
vessels, increased thickening of collagen layers, and decreased
distensibility of the airway.
What are common allergens that trigger asthma? - ANS -Pollen, animal
dander, and dust mites.
What are common irritants that can trigger asthma symptoms? - ANS -
Strong smells, air pollutants, and tobacco smoke.
What are some other triggers for asthma? - ANS -Upper respiratory
infections, changes in weather, exercise, and strong emotional
expressions.
,How can asthma triggers be reduced in a classroom setting? - ANS -Mop
and damp dust often, reduce clutter, use low-odour cleaning products,
and keep windows closed on high pollen days.
What is the role of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute in
asthma? - ANS -They provide guidelines for the diagnosis and
management of asthma.
What is the significance of airway hyper-responsiveness in asthma? -
ANS -It indicates an increased sensitivity of the airways to various
stimuli.
How does asthma affect breathing during an attack? - ANS -It takes
longer to empty the airways, making it difficult to breathe in and out.
What is the impact of long-term asthma symptoms on the airway
epithelium? - ANS -It can lead to hyperresponsiveness and altered
smooth muscle function.
What is the result of chronic inflammation in asthma? - ANS -It may
cause non-reversible airway obstruction.
, What are some strategies to manage asthma triggers in daily life? - ANS
-Minimize exposure to allergens, use air purifiers, and maintain a clean
environment.
What is the importance of cleaning in asthma management? - ANS -
Regular cleaning helps reduce allergens and irritants that can trigger
asthma symptoms.
What is the relationship between exercise and asthma? - ANS -Exercise
can trigger asthma symptoms, especially in cold weather.
How can emotional stress impact asthma? - ANS -Strong emotional
expressions such as stress and anxiety can trigger asthma symptoms.
What is the role of mucus in asthma? - ANS -Mucus hyper-secretion can
contribute to airway obstruction.
What are goblet cells and their relevance to asthma? - ANS -Goblet cells
can become hyperplastic in asthma, leading to increased mucus
production.
What is eosinophilic inflammation in asthma? - ANS -It refers to the
presence of eosinophils in the airway, contributing to inflammation and
airway hyper-responsiveness.
