Introduction
Asthma is one of the severe health conditions impacting individuals’ lives globally. It affects the lungs and the function of the respiratory tract. As a result, there is a high risk of inflammation and specific changes that might require additional treatment and attention. Moreover, the changes in A&P in patients with asthma introduce the need for specific preoperative and postoperative care to ensure individuals do not suffer from complications, can survive interventions, and recover.
Asthma
Asthma has a family history component. The genes that cause asthma in families have not yet been found. Asthma does not follow a Mendelian inheritance pattern, although some phenotypic processes are highly associated with genetic inheritance. Asthma is most likely inherited by a combination of genes, with some locus heterogeneity and polygenic inheritance resulting in varied asthma manifestations (Sinyor & Perez, 2019).
Key characteristics of asthma include inflammation and airway hyperresponsiveness. The obstructive process known as bronchospasm is brought on by bronchial smooth muscle contraction and airway inflammation. Bronchospasm can be triggered by various factors, including allergies, respiratory infections, smoking, exposure to cold air, exercise, stress, and physical damage to the airways, among others (Kamassai et al., 2019). In a clinical setting, bronchospasm can cause chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
Statistics
Statistics show that asthma incidence rates in the UK have reduced by 10% in recent years. However, the condition remains topical and requires additional attention from the UK health sector. Around 12% of the population has the disease and suffers from its complications. This means that approximately 8 million people in the state have been diagnosed with asthma (British Lung Foundation, 2023).
For this reason, with 60,000 hospital admissions and 200,000 bed days a year, the financial burden of the condition remains significant (British Lung Foundation, 2023). The necessity to provide specific preoperative and postoperative care to individuals with asthma introduces new challenges for UK healthcare and requires effective interventions.
Risk Factors
Atopy or IgE antibodies may attack Specific antigens or contaminants, which might worsen the condition. Research shows a direct correlation between total IgE blood levels and asthma. Increased IgE reactivity to environmental triggers, including home dust mites, animal allergens, mildew, and farm animals, has been linked to asthma sensitization, which exacerbates symptoms and leads to more reactive airways (Sinyor & Perez, 2019). Although there is less information on the causation, the rationale is that these allergens are more frequently exposed to people. There is a link between smoking and an increased chance of developing asthma, but the association between air pollution and asthma is less obvious.
Preoperative Care
It has not been demonstrated that preoperative testing for pulmonary function, chest radiography, and laboratory tests correlates with PRAE, and they are rarely recommended. The preoperative interview should elicit a history of recent hospitalizations, tracheal intubations, and mechanical breathing because of asthma, as well as any past instances (Kamassai et al., 2019). During the system evaluation, the patient should also give a history of recent wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, or shortness of breath.
Normal A&P of Lungs
The severe nature of asthma is evidenced by its impact on the anatomy and physiology of the lungs and the respiratory system. In normal states, lungs are characterized by controlled mucus production. The respiratory tract is vast, allowing for stable airflow, which is vital for the body’s normal functioning. The alveoli have no inflammation or other changes (Sinyor & Perez, 2019).
However, lungs affected by asthma are characterized by swollen tissues, which might lead to new health issues. The respiratory tract is narrowed, and the mucus membrane produces more secretions, which might complicate breathing (Sinyor & Perez, 2019). These changes in A&P necessitate additional attention from care providers and require specific approaches during both preoperative and postoperative care.
Changes
Preoperative Care
If the anatomy and physiology of the affected organism change, preoperative care should be adjusted accordingly and include specific measures. Interprofessional communication is crucial in the perioperative management of patients with asthma. The anesthesiologist, nurse anesthetist, or anesthesia assistant must effectively communicate with the recovery room nurse to ensure a seamless transition.
The anesthesia care team should create an intraoperative anesthetic strategy to prevent complications in the postoperative phase (Sinyor & Perez, 2019). Patients should be closely monitored after surgery and resume their pre-operative treatment plan as soon as possible. Preoperative steroids are not very helpful if not begun two or three days before surgery. Overall, asthma can affect the state of altered anatomy and physiology, creating certain health conditions that need to be considered in everyday life and the preoperative period.
Patient Care
The changes in the anatomy and physiology of the affected organism require specific alterations in patient care. First, a systemic assessment of all systems and organs is required to guarantee stable functioning. Second, the health of the respiratory system should be monitored to avoid complications. This approach has advantages, including more systemic care and attention to detail. However, complex treatment and interprofessional teams are needed.
Conclusion
Asthma is a severe disease that affects various systems and requires specific care. It promotes complications and changes in anatomy and physiology. As a result, there is a need for a revised approach to preoperative and postoperative care. Effective interprofessional communication and a systemic approach are crucial to successful treatment and the preservation of quality of life. Additional care is required during and after surgeries to prevent complications and undesired outcomes.
References
British Lung Foundation (2023). Asthma statistics. Web.
Kamassai, J. D., et al. (2019). Asthma anesthesia. Florida: StatPearls Publishing.
Sinyor, B., and Perez, C. (2019.) Pathophysiology of asthma. Florida: StatPearls Publishing.