Asthma

By: Emily Ngo

Asthma Background Asthma is a chronic disease

that affects up to 150 million people in the world

Asthma is an inflammatory disease in the lungs that causes constriction in the airways

Like many other diseases, asthma can be controlled but not cured

Asthma background cont’d…

Many cells contribute to the inflammation

The inflammation causes wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and breathlessness

What happens in the lung?

Cells that cause inflammation

lymphocyteeosinophilmast cellepithelial cellfibroblastmacrophageneutrophilT-lymphocyte

Cells that cause inflammation

T-lymphocytes produce cytokines…

Cellular Immunity TH1: IL-2, INF-γ Allergic Inflammation TH2: IL-4, IL-5, IL-10, IL-13

*What if there is a balance/imbalance of TH1/TH2?

Hygiene Hypothesis

Protect your baby, let your baby play with animals!

Relationship of Allergy to Asthma

Role of Allergy in Development of Asthma

Treatments

Asthma Therapy:Environmental Controls Immunotherapy (Allergy Injections)Symptomatic Control (bronchodilating agent)Disease Modifiers (affect inflammation)

Environmental Control Measures

Allergen Avoidance House Dust mites Grass Pollen Indoor Pets Feathers and Down

Allergen Immunotherapy