General Nursing©

ASTHMA

Causes:

• Air reaches the lungs by passing through the windpipe (trachea), which divides, into two large tubes (bronchi), one for each lung.
• Each bronchus further divides into other smaller tubes (bronchioles), which lead to tiny air sacs (alveoli), through which oxygen is absorbed into the bloodstream and carbon dioxide is transferred out of the body.
• Asthma involves both bronchi and bronchioles but not the alveoli.
• These airways are kept clean by the tiny hairs (cilia), which trap particles in a thin layer of mucus. This is then swept through the windpipe to be coughed up or swallowed.
• In Asthma, the airways become oversensitive to the particles, and cause a reaction. The etiology maybe inhaled or ingested allergens, pulmonary infection, or psychologic stress.

This results in:

• Tightening of the muscles surrounding the airways
• Inflammation and swelling of the airway
• Increased mucus production, which restricts or clogs the airway
• Once the airways are narrowed, less oxygen enters the blood and carbon dioxide levels in the body begin to increase. This could lead to a more severe condition requiring emergency treatment.
  

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