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What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways. In susceptible individuals this inflammation causes recurrent episodes of coughing,
wheezing, chest tightness, and difficult breathing inflammation makes the airways sensitive to stimuli such as allergens, chemical irritants, tobacco smoke, cold air, or exercise. When exposed to these stimuli, the
airways may become swollen, constrict filled with mucus, and hyper responsive to stimuli. The resulting airflow limitation is reversible (but not completely so in some patients), either spontaneous or with treatment.
When asthma therapy is adequate, inflammation can be reduced over the long term, symptoms can usually be controlled, and most asthma-related problems prevented. Diagnosis
Asthma should be considered in patients with a history of recurrent wheezing, cough (particularly if the cough is worse at night), recurrent shortness of breathing or chest
tightness. The diagnosis of asthma is also suggested if the symptoms worsen with exercise, viral illness, weather changes or exposures to airborne chemicals, dust, tobacco smoke or other allergens, such as animal
dander, cockroaches, house dust mites, mold and pollens
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