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Asthma is a very widespread disease that affects the airways and prevents normal breathing. Every 1 in 12 people in the USA suffers from some form of asthma ( Asthma statistics, 2017). The degrees of severity vary from person to person it can be a minor inconvenience to some and life-threatening disease to others. It is possible to control the severity of the disease by following an activity and diet schedule, knowing the triggers, and administrating medicine in time. In this case study, we will analyze the case of Emilia Garcia and determine what should be done to prevent another acute asthmatic arrest.
Pathophysiology of Asthma
Asthma is commonly described as a chronic inflammatory disease that affects the airways, causing canal contractions and mucus secretion, which prevents airflow and can potentially cause suffocation. The pathogenesis of asthma includes the infiltration of inflammatory agents, such as neutrophils (common for acute asthma exacerbations), eosinophils, lymphocytes, mast cell activation, and epithelial cell injury ( Causes, 2017). The inflammation of the airway contributes to hypersensitivity of the epithelial layer, which in turn causes other respiratory symptoms and contributes to the diseases chronicity. Cases of persistent airway changes may occur, which include secretion of mucus, hypertrophy of smooth muscles of the airway, angiogenesis, and fibrosis ( Causes, 2017). Genetic predisposition, known as Atopy, is one of the strongest identifiable factors when diagnosing asthma. Other typical causes of asthma include viral respiratory infections, airborne substances such as pollen and dander, air pollutants, as well as intense physical activity ( Causes, 2017). In Emilia Garcias scenario, the asthmatic arrest was caused by dander coming from her new dog. Although her mother was assured that this particular breed of dog would not cause an asthmatic episode, that assessment was obviously inaccurate.
Asthma Diagnosis and Potential Complications for Emilia Garcia
Typically, asthma is diagnosed using physical examinations, revising the patients medical history, and performing various tests in order to ensure the accuracy of the diagnosis. The most common diagnostic test used to identify asthma in patients is the Lung Function Test, also known as Spirometry ( How is asthma diagnosed, 2017). It allows the doctor to find out how much air can a patient breathe in, breathe out, and at what speed does the patient blows the air out. After the initial test is completed, the patient is given asthmatic medicine, and the test is repeated. If the results are below the norm during the initial test and gradually improve with the introduction of the medicine, the diagnosis is very likely to be asthma. Potential complications for Emilia Garcia include fatigue, reduced physical performance, stress and psychological disorders, as well as pneumonia, lung collapse, and respiratory failure ( How is asthma diagnosed, 2017).
Treatment of Asthma
While asthma cannot be cured, its symptoms could be controlled with the use of a complex of medicines aimed to combat the effects of the disease in long and short-term. Long-term medicaments include inhaled corticosteroids (fluticasone), leukotriene modifiers (montelukast), and combination inhalers. Short-term medicines include short-acting beta-agonists (albuterol), as well as oral and intravenous corticosteroids (methylprednisolone) ( Treatments and drugs, 2017).
As the symptoms of acute asthmatic incidents were already treated, Emilias condition could be treated with Fluticasone, Montelukast, and Fluticasone-Salmeterol, which is a combination inhaler. In addition, the dog would need to be removed from the household, as it is a source of pet dander.
Plan of Care
The information provided in the patients medical history states that the childs parents have a poor understanding of the gravity of the disease and the importance of inhalers as well as the peak flow meter. They must be thoroughly educated on the diseases symptoms, triggers, and the use of equipment. The child must also be instructed accordingly and must avoid potential triggers of asthma at all costs. Medicines mentioned in the previous section must be taken at appropriate intervals and without delay.
References
Asthma statistics. (2017). Web.
Causes. (2017). Web.
How is asthma diagnosed. (2017). Web.
Treatments and drugs. (2017). Web.
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