NURSING 2LA2 Lecture 6: Asthma
8 Mar 2017
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Document Summary
Asthma: resp. system composed of the airway passages, the lungs, and associated blood vessels, purpose of system is to provide oxygen and co2 exchange b/w air and blood. In diffusion, gases move across the alveolar capillary membrane: oxygen moves from the air in alveoli to the blood flowing through the pulm. Cap: co2 passes from the blood into the alveoli, co2 is expelled through expiration. Initiated by diverse, non-immune mechanisms: however, many people have overlapping symptoms, triggered by irritant receptors and vagel reflex, often triggered by viral infections, inhaled irritants, nsaids, sulfites and emotional stress. Onset: usually in childhood or adolescence, adults may develop asthma without a previous history of the disease, arises from a complex interaction between heredity and environmental factors and manifests as acute attacks. Increased vascular permeability causes mucosal edema and increased mucus secretions. Mast cells: cellular bags of granules found in large numbers in the skin and linings.
