ASTHMA

• Asthma is characterized by:

• airway inflammation

• airway hyper-responsiveness

• reversible airway obstruction

 

Asthma Symptoms

Recurrent episodes of wheeze, dyspnea, chest tightness, sputum and cough, which is worse at night or with exercise.

Asthma Triggers

Triggers include viral infections such as the common cold, allergens, irritants, exercise, weather, anxiety, stress and aspirin.

Family History

Patients with a family history of atopy and asthma in 1st degree relatives are more likely to have these conditions also. Genetic predisposition is known, however which genes are involved is still unknown.

Past Medical History

Emergency deparment visits, hospitalizations, ICU admissions and mechanical ventilation episodes are all signs of severe and worsening asthma.

Physical Examination

On physical examination by a physician, there may be normal between symptomatic episodes of asthma, which may have wheezing, increased expiratory phase and/or decreased breath sounds on listening to the chest of these patients.

OBJECTIVE MEASURES OF ASTHMA

• Spirometry – improvement of FEV1 in response to bronchodilators

• Peak-flow meter

• Airway hyper-responsiveness