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MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that obstructs airflow in and out of the bronchial tubes. Normally, as the diaphragm contracts and relaxes, air moves freely in and out of the trachea and bronchi to the bronchioles and then to the alveoli where gas exchange takes place. During this process, carbon dioxide will diffuse out of the bloodstream into the alveolus while oxygen will diffuse from the alveolus into the bloodstream. Smooth muscle in the bronchial walls is controlled by the autonomic nervous system. Sympathetic stimulation relaxes smooth muscle and produces bronchodilation when the air is warm, moist, and free of irritants. Parasympathetic stimulation contracts smooth muscle and produces bronchoconstriction when the air is cold, dry, or contains irritants. People with asthma have chronically inflamed and swollen airways that are hyperreactive to irritants that can trigger an asthma attack. Asthma triggers include outdoor irritants and allergens such as pollen, smoke, pollution, and cold weather, indoor irritants and allergens such as mold, pet dander, dust mites, and cockroach droppings, food allergens such as fish, shellfish, eggs, peanuts, and soy, physiological conditions such as respiratory infections, stress and strong emotions, and exercise. During an asthma attack, these triggers can induce mast cells and leukocytes to release chemical substances such as histamine, kinins, prostaglandins, and leukotrienes. These substances are chemical mediators of inflammation that can precipitate a bronchospasm. Suddenly, the brochial smooth muscle tightens, and the bronchial wall becomes more swollen. Goblet cells in the mucosa produce thicker mucus further obstructing the airway. This combination of factors slows normal gas exchange. The symptoms of a broncospasm include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. Medicines that treat asthma affect the inflammation of the airway wall, the constriction of the bronchial muscles, or mucus secretion. The most important asthma medications are long-acting anti-inflammatory drugs such as corticosteroids, leukotriene inhibitors, and cromolyn sodium. These drugs keep asthma under control by preventing or reducing inflammation of the bronchial wall. This makes the airways less sensitive to broncospasm triggers. Regular use of maintenance medications makes it less likely that an astma flare-up will take place. Broncodilators are either quick relief rescue medications such as short-acting beta agonists or long acting maintenance medications such as theophylline and anticholinergics. These drugs cause the bronchial smooth muscle to relax quickly or gradually over a longer period of time. Regular use of long-acting maintenance medication is critical in keeping your airways open and less inflamed. This reduces the likelihood of asthma flare-ups. When flare-ups do happen, it is important for patients to work with their licensed healthcare professional to develop an action plan for the correct use of short acting rescue medication. Rescue medication opens airways quickly providing symptom relief within minutes. [music]
"The illustrations have consistently been well documented, accurate and
timely. Most important though is that the illustrations demonstrate to
juries and claims people the persuasive power of visual communication. Our
firm has achieved multiple eight figure settlements and verdicts over the
past ten years... Medical Legal Art has been there with us on every case."
Thomas C. Jones
Davis, Bethune & Jones, L.L.C.
Kansas City, MO www.dbjlaw.net
"This past year, your company prepared three medical illustrations for our cases; two in which we received six figure awards; one in which we received a substantial seven figure award. I believe in large part, the amounts obtained were due to the vivid illustrations of my clients' injuries and the impact on the finder of fact."
Donald W. Marcari
Marcari Russotto & Spencer, P.C.
Chesapeake, VA
"I wanted to take some time out to let you know what a wonderful job you did
with the 'collapsed lung/fractured rib' illustrations. They were both
detailed and accurate. My medical expert was comfortable working with them
and he spent at least an hour explaining to the jury the anatomy of the
lungs, the ribs and the injuries depicted in the illustrations. Needless to
say, the jury was riveted to the doctor during his testimony.
The jury returned a verdict for $800,000.00 and I'm sure we would not have
done so well if not for the visualizations we were able to put forth with
your assistance. Lastly, my special thanks to Alice [Senior Medical
Illustrator] who stayed late on Friday night and patiently dealt with my
last minute revisions."
Daniel J. Costello
Proner & Proner
New York, NY
"This past year, your company prepared three medical illustrations for our cases; two in which we received six figure awards; one in which we received a substantial seven figure award. I believe in large part, the amounts obtained were due to the vivid illustrations of my clients' injuries and the impact on the finder of fact."
Donald W. Marcari Marcari Russotto & Spencer, P.C. Chesapeake, VA
Medical Legal Art creates medical demonstrative evidence (medical
illustrations, drawings, pictures, graphics, charts, medical animations,
anatomical models, and interactive presentations) for use during legal
proceedings, including research, demand letters, client conferences,
depositions, arbitrations, mediations, settlement conferences, mock jury
trials and for use in the courtroom. We do not provide legal or medical
advice. If you have legal questions, you should find a lawyer with whom you
can discuss your case issues. If you have medical questions, you should seek the advice of a healthcare provider.
