User:Mr. Ibrahem/Asthma
Medical condition / From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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 easily triggered bronchospasms.[10][11] Symptoms include episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.[2] These may occur a few times a day or a few times per week.[3] Depending on the person, asthma symptoms may become worse at night or with exercise.[3]
Asthma | |
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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 method | Based on symptoms, response to therapy, spirometry[5] |
Treatment | Avoiding triggers, inhaled corticosteroids, salbutamol[6][7] |
Frequency | 358 million (2015)[8] |
Deaths | 397,100 (2015)[9] |
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 lung function testing.[5] Asthma is classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate.[12] It may also be classified as atopic or non-atopic, where atopy refers to a predisposition toward developing a type 1 hypersensitivity reaction.[13][14]
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][15] Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) or antileukotriene agents may be used in addition to inhaled corticosteroids if asthma symptoms remain uncontrolled.[16][17] 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.[18]
In 2015, 358 million people globally had asthma, up from 183 million in 1990.[8][19] It caused about 397,100 deaths in 2015,[9] most of which occurred in the developing world.[3] Asthma often begins in childhood,[3] and the rates have increased significantly since the 1960s.[20] Asthma was recognized as early as Ancient Egypt.[21] The word "asthma" is from the Greek ἅσθμα, ásthma, which means "panting".[22]