Question

Describe The airway of a patient who is having an asthma attack. What would be the desired effect of treating this patient with medications such as beta2-agonists and corticosteroids?

Answer 1

Answer:  Airways become swollen and inflamed. The muscles around the airways contract and the airways produce extra mucus, causing the breathing (bronchial) tubes to narrow. During an attack, you may cough, wheeze and have trouble breathing.

Explanation:

Bronchodilators relieve asthma symptoms by relaxing the muscle bands that tighten around the airways. This action rapidly opens the airways, letting more air come in and out of the lungs. As a result, breathing improves. Bronchodilators also help clear mucus from the lungs. As the airways open, the mucus moves more freely and can be coughed out more easily. Corticosteroids may regulate beta(2)-receptor function by increasing expression of the receptor, restoring G-protein/beta(2)-receptor coupling, and inhibiting beta(2)-receptor downregulation.