Asthma
Long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs.[5] It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms.[10][11] Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.[4] These may occur a few times a day or a few times per week.[5] Depending on the person, asthma symptoms may become worse at night or with exercise.[5]
Asthma | |
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Peak flow meters are used to measure the peak expiratory flow rate, important in both monitoring and diagnosing asthma.[1] | |
Pronunciation | |
Specialty | Pulmonology |
Symptoms | Recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath[4] |
Complications | Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), sinusitis, obstructive sleep apnea |
Usual onset | Childhood |
Duration | Long term[5] |
Causes | Genetic and environmental factors[4] |
Risk factors | Air pollution, allergens[5] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, response to therapy, spirometry[6] |
Treatment | Avoiding triggers, inhaled corticosteroids, salbutamol[7][8] |
Frequency | approx. 262 million (2019)[9] |
Deaths | approx. 461,000 (2019)[9] |
Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.[4] Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens.[5] Other potential triggers include medications such as aspirin and beta blockers.[5] Diagnosis is usually based on the pattern of symptoms, response to therapy over time, and spirometry lung function testing.[6] Asthma is classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate.[12] It may also be classified as atopic or non-atopic, where atopy refers to a predisposition toward developing a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.[13][14]
There is no known cure for asthma, but it can be controlled.[5] Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and respiratory irritants, and suppressed with the use of inhaled corticosteroids.[7][15] Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) or antileukotriene agents may be used in addition to inhaled corticosteroids if asthma symptoms remain uncontrolled.[16][17] Treatment of rapidly worsening symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta2 agonist such as salbutamol and corticosteroids taken by mouth.[8] In very severe cases, intravenous corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate, and hospitalization may be required.[18]
In 2019 asthma affected approximately 262 million people and caused approximately 461,000 deaths.[9] Most of the deaths occurred in the developing world.[5] Asthma often begins in childhood,[5] and the rates have increased significantly since the 1960s.[19] Asthma was recognized as early as Ancient Egypt.[20] The word asthma is from the Greek ἆσθμα, âsthma, which means 'panting'.[21]