Reactive Airway Disease
Reactive Airway Disease
Reactive Airway Disease – A Better Understanding about the Disease
Reactive airway disease or RAD is often mistaken to be asthma. However, this is a lot different from it. The illness refers to the wheezing and allergic symptoms associated with the respiratory system. The term is often used to children who have difficulty undergoing asthma diagnostic procedures. It is often used to describe a child with known history of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Because of the problems about the exact mechanism of the disease, most doctors prefer to use the term asthma to refer to the asthma-like symptoms.
Is it the same as asthma?
It is always important to note that reactive airway disease and asthma are two different diseases. Many doctors often use them interchangeably but this is an incorrect approach. The Reactive airway disease is a general term which does not indicate a definite diagnosis. Cough, wheezes and dyspnea with undetermined cause are often classified as RAD.
What are the definite criteria to differentiate it from asthma?
In order to differentiate it from asthma attack, the child should be at least 5 years old with some episodes of airflow obstruction. It should also present consistent results using a spirometer and other alternative diagnoses have been excluded.
What are the signs and symptoms of the disease?
The signs and symptoms of reactive airway disease are almost similar with asthma. Patients present shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. The respiratory airways are also inflamed and swollen. The goblet cells are hyperactive producing excessive mucus. As a result, the excess secretion leads to sputum production. The environment then becomes highly conducive to bacterial and viral invasion. The attack often occurs after inhalation of irritating chemicals like smoke or fumes.
What are the causes of the disease?
There are several causes of irritation in the respiratory system. It can come from the environment. The fumes, smoke and irritating chemicals make your develop the symptoms of reactive airway disease. Aside from the effects of your surroundings, your genes have also a lot to say about your susceptibility to the illness. If you have a family background of respiratory problems, you are more likely to suffer from it. Other precipitating factors of reactive airway disease include pet dander, molds, pollen, vigorous exercise, weather changes, stress and drugs.
What is the pathophysiology of the disease?
The anatomical respiratory difference of adults from children makes the disease more serious among them. The narrow airway of children leads to serious complications. The release of mediator molecules causes the swelling of the respiratory tract. The smooth muscles contract, cause the obstruction and lead to symptoms like wheezing and difficulty in breathing.
How is the disease diagnosed?
Because the reactive airway disease does not present any specific respiratory symptom that will set it apart from other airway problems, diagnosis is quite difficult with it. The scenario is even more problematic among children because of the reduced number of diagnostic procedures available for them. Breathing tests are not very practical for them because of the difficulty of getting accurate results. Other requested tests to make a better diagnosis include complete blood count and x-ray procedures. For children over 5 years of age, spirometry test is also highly recommended.
What happens when you have a diagnosis of Reactive airway disease?
Once your doctor make a diagnosis of RAD, the series of tests do not often end here. You still have to be under supervision for other possible and more specific respiratory illness. Because it often combines with asthma-like symptoms and microbial invasion, diagnosis of asthma, bronchitis and pneumonia are common possibilities.
What is the stand of health experts about the confusion in the diagnosis of RAD?
According to experts, the term “reactive airway disease” is a non-specific diagnosis and presents further confusion to patients. It is an annoyance especially to practitioners who want to deliver clear and definite diagnosis.
What is Reactive Airway Dysfunction Syndrome?
The reactive airway dysfunction syndrome refers to the asthma-like symptoms that develop after an isolated exposure to irritating substances. The term first came in 1980’s after observing some patients develop wheezing, coughing and difficulty in breathing. Although very common among children, the RADS can also affect adults. The symptoms are often mild but it can also lead to severe and fatal respiratory problems. Depending on the amount of exposure, the discomfort may lead to permanent damage to the airway.
How often is the disease found in the general population?
Reactive airway disease affects millions of children and adults worldwide. It accounts for more than 13 million health care visits annually in the US alone. The attack is more common in Western countries than in developing countries. There is an increased incidence among the black and Hispanic children. The mortality rate is considered high despite the advances in medicine.
What are the treatment options?
The main goal of the treatment regimen is to reduce the complications of the disease and its symptoms. Some examples of prescribed drugs include the Beta-2 adrenergic agonist agents, oral and injectable, anticholinergic agents, magnesium salts, methylxanthines, corticosteroid and leukotriene inhibitors. These drugs act in reducing the airway obstruction and the swelling of the respiratory tract as well as the excessive production of mucus. Home remedies are also available to alleviate your discomfort. You may use steam inhalation and warm bath to improve your breathing.
What is the prognosis?
Reactive airway disease may require hospital confinement especially during severe attack. The prognosis is generally good. Patients are advised to take the medication correctly and avoid exposure to allergens. Because of the possibility of overdose with inhalers, patients are specifically educated about the adverse reaction of the drug.
What are the complications?
If the reactive airway disease is not resolved, it may lead to severe problems like respiratory failure or mechanical ventilation. Atelectasis, self-limited flaccid paralysis and pneumothorax are also reported in some patients.
What are the preventive measures?
The main preventive measure lies in knowing the stimulus that causes your allergic reaction. Understanding your condition better can help you prevent the attack.