Asthma
Asthma is a long-term inflammatory disease of the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms. Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. These may occur a few times a day or a few times per week. Depending on the person, asthma symptoms may become worse at night or with exercise.
Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens. Other potential triggers include medications such as aspirin and beta blockers. Diagnosis is usually based on the pattern of symptoms, response to therapy over time, and spirometry lung function testing. Asthma is classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate. It may also be classified as atopic or non-atopic, where atopy refers to a predisposition toward developing a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.
There is no known cure for asthma, but it is easily treatable. Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and respiratory irritants, and suppressed with the use of inhaled corticosteroids. Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) or antileukotriene agents may be used in addition to inhaled corticosteroids if asthma symptoms remain uncontrolled. Treatment of rapidly worsening symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist such as salbutamol and corticosteroids taken by mouth. In very severe cases, intravenous corticosteroids, magnesium sulfate, and hospitalization may be required.
In 2015, 358 million people globally had asthma, up from 183 million in 1990. It caused about 397,100 deaths in 2015, most of which occurred in the developing world. Asthma often begins in childhood, and the rates have increased significantly since the 1960s. Asthma was recognized as early as Ancient Egypt. The word "asthma" is from the Greek , "ásthma", which means "panting".
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long-term
Concept
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inflammatory
Concept
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airways
Concept
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lungs
Concept
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Concept
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bronchospasm
Concept
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wheezing
Concept
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coughing
Concept
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shortness of breath
CEL
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genetic
Concept
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Concept
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air pollution
Concept
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allergen
Concept
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Concept
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beta blockers
Concept
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spirometry
Concept
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forced expiratory volume in one second
Concept
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peak expiratory flow rate
UNK
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atopic
Concept
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Concept
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Concept
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Concept
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corticosteroid
Concept
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Long-acting beta agonists
UNK
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antileukotriene agent
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beta-2 agonist
Concept
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salbutamol
Concept
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magnesium sulfate
Concept
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developing world
Concept
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Ancient Egypt
LOC
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Asthma
Concept
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Asthma
Concept
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Asthma
Concept
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Asthma
Concept
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Asthma
Concept
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symptoms and signs
symptoms and signs
symptoms and signs
medical condition treated