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BRONCHIAL ASTHMA (ASTHMA)

It is a chronic reversible inflammatory disease of the airway, characterized by recurrent episodes of coughing, wheezing sounds and difficulty in breathing, in people with airway hypersensitivity to various stimuli.
Severe coughing at night is a cardinal symptom of asthma.

CONTRIBUTING FACTORS

# Acid reflux.
The backflow of stomach content into the airway.

# Over Eating.
The vagus nerve is a nerve that supplies the posterior ends of the lungs. Over Eating stimulates the nerve which brings about the sudden onset of signs and symptoms of bronchial asthma.

# Air Pollutants.
Dust and other air pollutants irritates the airway.
Smoke is an example of air pollutant; it contains carbon monoxide, which binds with the Red Blood Cells (Haemoglobin)to get rid of oxygen. It is the main reason why you find it difficult to breath in the midst of smoke.

# Some Drugs.
Some drugs like, Aspirin (NSAIDS)blocks and inhibits the formation of prostaglandins, which are inflammatory mediators. *Remember, in asthma there is reversible inflammatory process.

# Exposure To Cold Or Strong Scented Perfumes

# Emotional Stress.
When you are stressed, a hormone called cortisol is produced and the rate at which the heart beats increase. This increases the demand for oxygen.

# Excessive Exercise.
Excessive exercise decreases the amount of oxygen, and carbon dioxide tend circulate in the body. This calls for the need of oxygen.

MANIFESTATIONS OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA (SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS)

# Inability to complete full sentences.
# Rapid respiration.
# Restlessness.
# Increase in heart rate (pulse).
# Difficulty in breathing (Dyspnea).
# Deceased peripheral oxygen saturation.
# Cold extremities.
# Tightness in chest.

FIRST AID (IMMEDIATE MANAGEMENT)

# Put the person in a sitting position.
# Take off tight clothes
# Ensure good ventilation.
# Do not give the person anything by mouth. The person can experience choke.
# Give inhaler if available.
# Take the person to the hospital for further treatment.

COMPLICATIONS OF BRONCHIAL ASTHMA

# Status Asthmaticus.
The term qualifies the episodes of asthma. That is, repeated episodic asthma.
Poor compliance to treatment can also lead to this.

# Myocardial Infarction

And others....

ANAEMIA
Is a condition in which the blood doesn't have enough healthy Red Blood Cells. This leads to reduced oxygen flow to the body's vital organs. That is , the Heart, the Lungs, the Kidneys and the Brain.

COMMON CONTRIBUTING FACTORS
- Excessive blood loss
- Iron deficiency
- Vitamin deficiency. Vitamin B12 helps in the formation of Red Blood Cells
- Bone marrow and stem cell problem. Red Blood Cell is produced in the bone marrow.
- Frequent blood donation.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
- Fatigue
- Skin Pallor
- Shortness of breath
- Light-headedness
- Fast heart beat.

IMMEDIATE MANAGEMENT
- Take in enough water in cases of dehydration
- Take in plenty fruits and vegetables. This will replenish loss vitamins which will also help in the formation of RBC and irons.
- Iron supplements can be taken.
- Take in a well balanced diet.
- Have a complete bed rest. This helps to conserve energy.

COMPLICATIONS IF NOT TREATED
- Brain damage. This is as a result of low oxygen saturation to the brain.
- Kidney failure.
- Myocardial infarction. Occurs when the heart if deprived of oxygen due to low Red blood cells in cases of Anaemia.

Thank you. Stay connected......

RHINITIS

Commonly known as Cold, Coryza, Catarrh.

It is the inflammation and irritation of the mucous membrane of the nose. It is infectious and easily spread from one person to the other.

It is characterized by; Sneezing, Coughing, Difficulty in breathing (Dyspnea), Itchy throat, Fever(Pyrexia) and to some extent insomnia.

The inflammation of one or more para nasal sinuses.
Also refers to sinusitis