Condition of the lower airways where there is swelling and an increase in secretions, which obstruct the passage of air between the outside and the lungs.
There is some genetic predisposition which, together with a series of triggers (pollen, dust mites, hair...) lead to the disease.
Symptoms are characterized by shortness of breath, breathing difficulty, coughing, wheezing when breathing and sometimes mucous expectoration.
Diagnosis is clinical, through questioning and physical examination. It may require an x-ray to rule out pneumonia and other causes of shortness of breath.
In mild cases, treatment with bronchodilating medications and/or corticosteroids is generally enough. In more severe cases, oxygen therapy will be added, and admission to the hospital (even to ICU) may be necessary.
- Christopher H Fanta. An overview of asthma management. UpToDate. May 31, 2016.
- National Asthma Education and Prevention Program: Expert panel report III: Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. Bethesda: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2007. (NIH publication no. 08-4051). www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm (Accessed on May 31, 2016).
- Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA). www.ginasthma.org (Accessed on January 30, 2015)
- Peter J. Barnes. Asma. Harrison. Principios de Medicina Interna. Volumen 2. 19º Edición. 1669- 1681.
- C. Picado. Asma. Farreras Rozman. Medicina Interna. Volumen 1. 12º edición. 735-749.
- Paula Sánchez López, Eva Marchán Martín, Isabel Sánchez Matas. Crisis de asma. Manual de protocolos y actuación en Urgencias. 3ª edición. 2010. 373- 381.
