It is an overreaction of the respiratory tract in some people, who are extremely sensitive to everyday substances found in the atmosphere. They cause a decrease in the lumen of the bronchus and bronchioles that prevents the normal passage of air to the pulmonary alveoli where gas exchange takes place.
Among the usual causes are: environmental substances (pollen, fumes, vapors from industrial substances, mites, mold, animal hair), cold temperatures, respiratory infections and certain drugs (aspirin, NSAIDs...).
It manifests with difficulty breathing, wheezing or wheezing sounds, choking sensation, and coughing.
The diagnosis is clinical, through interrogation and physical examination. If there is a suspicion of infection, a blood test and a chest X-ray will be performed to study the cause.
The main objective of treatment is to avoid or correct the triggering cause. To improve the passage of air through the respiratory tract, drugs such as inhaled bronchodilators and corticosteroids will be used.
- Catherine Lemière, MD. LouisPhilippe Boulet, MD. André Cartier, MD. Reactive airways dysfunction syndrome and irritant-induced asthma. UpToDate. Feb 02, 2016.
- Charles G Irvin, PhD, FERS. Bronchoprovocation testing. UpToDate. Jun 03, 2016.
- Global Strategy for Asthma Management and Prevention, Global Initiative for Asthma (GINA) 2015. www.ginasthma.org
- National Asthma Education and Prevention Program: Expert panel report III: Guidelines for the diagnosis and management of asthma. Bethesda, MD: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, 2007. (NIH publication no. 084051). www.nhlbi.nih.gov/guidelines/asthma/asthgdln.htm.
