Asthma overview: Difference between revisions
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==Overview== | ==Overview== | ||
''' | Approximately 5% of the population have been diagnosed with asthma and affects one in four urban children.<ref name="pmid12165584">Akinbami LJ, Schoendorf KC (2002) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12165584 Trends in childhood asthma: prevalence, health care utilization, and mortality.] ''Pediatrics'' 110 (2 Pt 1):315-22. PMID: [http://pubmed.gov/12165584 12165584]</ref><ref name="pmid15806035">Lilly CM (2005) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=15806035 Diversity of asthma: evolving concepts of pathophysiology and lessons from genetics.] ''J Allergy Clin Immunol'' 115 (4 Suppl):S526-31. [http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.jaci.2005.01.028 DOI:10.1016/j.jaci.2005.01.028] PMID: [http://pubmed.gov/15806035 15806035]</ref> Asthma is a [[chronic (medicine)|chronic]] [[inflammation|inflammatory disease]] that is characterized by a '''hyper-responsive airway''' and a resultant '''reversible airway obstruction'''. Asthmatics, as a response to one or more '''[[Asthma risk factors|triggers]]''' develop intermittent airway constriction and subsequent inflammation that is lined with excessive amounts of [[mucus]]. Environmental stimulants such as dust, cold air, mold, pollen and [[exercise]] or [[stress]] can trigger an asthmatic episode; however, in children, viral illness such as common cold remains the most common trigger.<ref name="pmid12000498">Zhao J, Takamura M, Yamaoka A, Odajima Y, Iikura Y (2002) [http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/entrez/eutils/elink.fcgi?dbfrom=pubmed&retmode=ref&cmd=prlinks&id=12000498 Altered eosinophil levels as a result of viral infection in asthma exacerbation in childhood.] ''Pediatr Allergy Immunol'' 13 (1):47-50. PMID: [http://pubmed.gov/12000498 12000498]</ref> The classic symptoms include '''prolong expiratory wheeze''', cough and shortness of breath secondary to airway obstruction that promptly responds to bronchodilator therapy. Between episodes, most patients remain asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and may remain short of breath for longer periods after exercise. A '''positive bronchodilator response''' is strongly suggestive of asthma. [[Beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist|Short-acting beta-2 agonist]], [[Anticholinergic|inhaled anti-cholinergics]] and [[steroids|systemic steroids]] may be used for immediate symptomatic relief; however, long-term symptom control may be achieved with [[Beta2-adrenergic receptor agonist|long-acting beta-2 agonists]], [[Mast cell stabilizer|mast cell stabilizers]], [[Leukotriene antagonist|leukotriene inhibitors]] and/or [[steroids]]. | ||
==References== | ==References== | ||
Revision as of 19:17, 20 September 2011
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Editor(s)-in-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Phone:617-632-7753; Philip Marcus, M.D., M.P.H. [2]
Overview
Approximately 5% of the population have been diagnosed with asthma and affects one in four urban children.[1][2] Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease that is characterized by a hyper-responsive airway and a resultant reversible airway obstruction. Asthmatics, as a response to one or more triggers develop intermittent airway constriction and subsequent inflammation that is lined with excessive amounts of mucus. Environmental stimulants such as dust, cold air, mold, pollen and exercise or stress can trigger an asthmatic episode; however, in children, viral illness such as common cold remains the most common trigger.[3] The classic symptoms include prolong expiratory wheeze, cough and shortness of breath secondary to airway obstruction that promptly responds to bronchodilator therapy. Between episodes, most patients remain asymptomatic or have mild symptoms and may remain short of breath for longer periods after exercise. A positive bronchodilator response is strongly suggestive of asthma. Short-acting beta-2 agonist, inhaled anti-cholinergics and systemic steroids may be used for immediate symptomatic relief; however, long-term symptom control may be achieved with long-acting beta-2 agonists, mast cell stabilizers, leukotriene inhibitors and/or steroids.
References
- ↑ Akinbami LJ, Schoendorf KC (2002) Trends in childhood asthma: prevalence, health care utilization, and mortality. Pediatrics 110 (2 Pt 1):315-22. PMID: 12165584
- ↑ Lilly CM (2005) Diversity of asthma: evolving concepts of pathophysiology and lessons from genetics. J Allergy Clin Immunol 115 (4 Suppl):S526-31. DOI:10.1016/j.jaci.2005.01.028 PMID: 15806035
- ↑ Zhao J, Takamura M, Yamaoka A, Odajima Y, Iikura Y (2002) Altered eosinophil levels as a result of viral infection in asthma exacerbation in childhood. Pediatr Allergy Immunol 13 (1):47-50. PMID: 12000498