PHA 3112 Chapter Notes - Chapter 76: Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, Zafirlukast, Leukotriene
10 Dec 2016
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Document Summary
Asthma: common, a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. Signs & symptoms: sense of breathlessness & chest tightness, w/ wheezing, dyspnea, & cough. Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (copd): chronic, progressive, largely irreversible disorder characterized by airflow restrictions & inflammation; preventable in most cases & most common cause is smoking cigarettes. Symptoms: chronic cough, excessive sputum production, wheezing, dyspnea & poor exercise tolerance. Treatment for asthma is highly effective but benefits in copd are minimal. Allergens trigger inflammation immune response in 50% of children & in remaining, cause = unknown. Asthma causes inflammation & bronchoconstriction caused by specific allergins. Inflammatory process begins allergin molecules bind to immunoglobin (ige) antibodies in mass cells - Which then release assortment of mediators = 2 effects. 1) acting immediately to cause bronchoconstriction & 2) promote infiltration & activation of inflammatory cells (eosinophils, leukocytes, macrophages) which release their own mediators. 1) edema, mucus plugging, smooth muscle hypertrophy = obstruct airflow.
