ASTHMA

 A reversible obstructive airway disease involving both small and large airways with the increased residual volumes and the decrease
FEV1/FVC ratio.
 Three components of an asthma attack: bronchospasm, airway edema, mucus production

EPIDEMIOLOGY
 Affects ~300 million people worldwide
 With ~250,000 deaths annually
 Can present at any age, with a peak age of 3 years

ETIOLOGY/ RISK FACTORS

RISK FACTORS
1. Genetic Predisposition
2. Age
3. Environmental Factors
o Infections- viral infections (especially Rhinovirus) are common as triggers
of asthma exacerbations
o Air Pollution
o Allergens- allergic sensitization to house dust mites and cats
o stress

SALIENT FEATURES –
 characteristic symptoms of asthma:
o wheezing
o dyspnea
o shortness of breath
o chest tightness
o cough
o worse at night and patients typically awake in
the early morning hours
o Family history of asthma or atopy
DIFFERENCTIAL DIAGNOSES (3)
 Allergic rhinitis
 Sinusitis
 Laryngotracheobronchitis- pertussis
 Foreign body aspiration

DIAGNOSTICS/ IMAGING
1. Lung Function Test
2. Spirometry
3. Peak expiratory flow (PEF) monitoring
4. 3. Chest Xray- normal findings when not exacerbated, hallmarks of asthma masqueraders (aspiration pneumonitis, hyperlucent lung
fields in bronchiolitis obliterans)
4. Exhaled NO

MANAGEMENT

Management of asthma should have the following components:

(1) assessment and monitoring of disease activity;

(2) education to enhance patient and family knowledge and skills for self-
management;
(3) identification and management of precipitating factors and comorbid conditions
that worsen asthma; and
(4) appropriate selection of medications to address the patient’s needs
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