Asthma | |
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This is an image of an asthmatics airways, it become swollen and full of mucous. | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Pulmonology |
Symptoms | Recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath[3] |
Complications | Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea |
Usual onset | Childhood |
Duration | Long term[4] |
Causes | Genetic and environmental factors[3] |
Risk factors | Air pollution, allergens[4] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, response to therapy, spirometry[5] |
Treatment | Avoiding triggers, inhaled corticosteroids, salbutamol[6][7] |
Frequency | Approx. 262 million (2019)[8] |
Deaths | Approx. 461,000 (2019)[8] |
Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs.[4] Asthma occurs when allergens, pollen, dust, or other particles, are inhaled into the lungs, causing the bronchioles to constrict and produce mucus, which then restricts oxygen flow to the alveoli. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms.[9][10] Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.[3] These may occur a few times a day or a few times per week.[4] Depending on the person, asthma symptoms may become worse at night or with exercise.[4]
Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.[3] Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens.[4] Other potential triggers include medications such as aspirin and beta blockers.[4] Diagnosis is usually based on the pattern of symptoms, response to therapy over time, and spirometry lung function testing.[5] Asthma is classified according to the frequency of symptoms of forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate.[11] It may also be classified as atopic or non-atopic, where atopy refers to a predisposition toward developing a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.[12][13]
There is no known cure for asthma, but it can be controlled.[4] Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and respiratory irritants, and suppressed with the use of inhaled corticosteroids.[6][14] Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) or antileukotriene agents may be used in addition to inhaled corticosteroids if asthma symptoms remain uncontrolled.[15][16] Treatment of rapidly worsening symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta2 agonist such as salbutamol and corticosteroids taken by mouth.[7] In very severe cases, intravenous corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate, and hospitalization may be required.[17]
In 2019 asthma affected approximately 262 million people and caused approximately 461,000 deaths.[8] Most of the deaths occurred in the developing world.[4] Asthma often begins in childhood,[4] and the rates have increased significantly since the 1960s.[18] Asthma was recognized as early as Ancient Egypt.[19] The word asthma is from the Greek ἆσθμα, âsthma, which means 'panting'.[20]