Asthma

Definition: It’s a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by

hyper-responsiveness, mucus production, and mucosal edema.
Risk factors and causes:
1. Family history
2. Allergy (Strongest factor), and chronic exposure to airway irritants or allergens
3. Common triggers for asthma’s symptoms and exacerbations include airway
irritants (eg, pollutants, cold air, strong odor, smoke, perfumes), exercise, stress or
emotional upset, rhinosinusitis, medications, viral respiratory tract infections, and
GERD)
Signs and symptoms:
1. Cough (with or without mucus production)
2. Dyspnea 3. Wheezing 4.Tightness in chest.
Medical Management:
1. Avoidance of triggers: The patient is instructed to avoid and identify asthma
triggers. If triggers cannot be avoided, the patient use bronchodilator before
exposure.
2. Pharmacologic therapy:
a. Long-acting control medications: inhaled corticosteroids, such as fluticasone.
b. Quick relief medications: Short-acting beta2-agonists, such as albuterol.
3. Non pharmacologic intervention:
Through oxygen therapy, coughing and deep breathing exercise, relaxation
techniques, and acupuncture. ‫االبر الصينية‬
Surgical Management: Bronchial thermoplasty.