Asthma

Peak flow meters are used to measure the peak expiratory

flow rate, important in both monitoring and diagnosing asthma.[1]

Specialty Pulmonology

Symptoms Recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing,

chest tightness, shortness of breath[2]

Duration Long term[3]

Causes Genetic and environmental factors[4]

Risk factors Air pollution, allergens[3]

Diagnostic Based on symptoms, response to

method therapy, spirometry[5]

Treatment Avoiding triggers,

inhaled corticosteroids, salbutamol[6][7]

Frequency 358 million (2015)[8]

 Deaths 397,100 (2015)[9]

Asthma is a common long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs.[3] It is

characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction,
and bronchospasm.[10] Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness,
and shortness of breath.[2] These episodes may occur a few times a day or a few times per
week.[3] Depending on the person, they may become worse at night or with exercise.[3]
Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental
factors.[4] Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens.[3] Other potential
triggers include medications such as aspirin and beta blockers.[3]Diagnosis is usually based on
the pattern of symptoms, response to therapy over time, and spirometry.[5] Asthma is classified
according to the frequency of symptoms, 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 hypersensitivityreaction.[12][13]
There is no cure for asthma.[3] Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such
as allergens and irritants, and by 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 beta-2 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 2015, 358 million people globally had asthma, up from 183 million in 1990.[8][18] It caused about
397,100 deaths in 2015,[9]most of which occurred in the developing world.[3] It often begins in
childhood.[3] The rates of asthma have increased significantly since the 1960s.[19] Asthma was
recognized as early as Ancient Egypt.[20] The word "asthma" is from the Greek ἅσθμα, ásthma,
which means "panting".[21]