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Asthma Case Study

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Asthma Case Study
University of Perpetual Help System – DALTA
Alabang – Zapote Road, Pamplona, Las Piñas City
College of Nursing

A Case Study of
Bronchial Asthma In Acute Exacerbation
(BAIAE)

Submitted by: Angela Marie Ferrer
BSN 3B
July 17, 2012
Definition
A condition of the lungs characterized by widespread narrowing of the airways due to spasm of the smooth muscle, edema of the mucosa, and the presence of mucus in the lumen of the bronchi and bronchioles. Bronchial asthma is a chronic relapsing inflammatory disorder with increased responsiveness of tracheobroncheal tree to various stimuli, resulting in paroxysmal contraction of bronchial airways which changes in severity over short periods of time, either spontaneously or under treatment.
Causes
Allergy is the strongest predisposing factor for asthma. Chronic exposure to airway irritants or allergens can be seasonal such as grass, tree and weed pollens or perennial under this are the molds, dust and roaches. Common triggers of asthma symptoms and exacerbations include air way irritants like air pollutant, cold, heat, weather changes, strong odors and perfumes. Other contributing factor would include exercise, stress or emotional upset, sinusitis with post nasal drip , medications and viral respiratory tract infections. Most people who have asthma are sensitive to a variety of triggers. A person’s asthma changes depending on the environment activities, management practices and other factor. Factors that can contribute to asthma or airway hyperreactivity may include any of the following: * Environmental allergens: House dust mites, animal allergens (especially cat and dog), cockroach allergens, and fungi are most commonly reported. * Viral respiratory tract infections * Exercise; hyperventilation * Gastroesophageal reflux disease * Chronic sinusitis or rhinitis * Aspirin or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) hypersensitivity,

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