Ashtma

• What sort of condition is ashtma?

  respiratory condition
• What is asthma?


  A respiratory condition where the airways become inflamed and irritated
• What are the causes of asthma ?

  USUALLY allergic reaction to substances such as POLLEN and DUST
• What happens during an asthma attack?

  The smooth muscle lining the bronchioles contracts and a large amount of mucus is produced
• During an asthma attack a large amount of mucus is produced, what are the effects of this?

  • Causes constriction of the airways = difficult to breathe properly
  • Air flow in and out of the lungs is SEVERELY REDUCED - less oxygen enters the alveoli and moves into the blood
  • Reduced air flow means that FEV1 is severly reduced
• Explain FEV1 being severely reduced?

  Less air breathed out in 1 second
• What do symptoms of asthma include?

  wheezing

  tight chest

  shortness of breath
• What happens during an attack?


  the symptoms come on very suddenly
• How can the symptoms of asthma be relieved?

  • by drugs - often inhalers- which cause the muscle in the bronchioles to relax, opening up the airways