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.[1] It is characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and easily triggered bronchospasms; classically wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.[2][5] These may occur a few times a day or a few times per week.[6] Symptoms may disturb sleep or worsen with exercise.[2] Asthma may also present with tiredness, recurrent colds, or poor fitness.[2]
Asthma | |
---|---|
Specialty | Pulmonology |
Symptoms | Recurring episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath[1] |
Usual onset | Typically in childhood / before age 25 years[1] |
Duration | Long term[2] |
Causes | Genetic and environmental factors[1] |
Risk factors | Air pollution, allergens (viral infection, dust, smoke, animal fur, perfume), some medicines[3][4] |
Diagnostic method | Based on symptoms, response to therapy, spirometry[2] |
Treatment | Avoiding triggers, inhaled corticosteroids, salbutamol[3] |
Frequency | 262 million (2019)[3] |
Deaths | 455,000 (2019)[3] |
Asthma is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors.[1] Environmental factors include exposure to air pollution and allergens.[3] Other potential triggers include medications such as aspirin and other NSAIDs, beta blockers, and ACE inhibitors.[4] Diagnosis is generally based on the pattern of symptoms, response to therapy over time, and spirometry lung function testing.[2] Asthma is classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate.[2] It has traditionally been classified as atopic and non-atopic; thought this is an over simplification.[1]
There is no cure.[3] Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and irritants, and controlled by the use of inhaled corticosteroids.[3] Long-acting beta agonists (LABAs), long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs), and antileukotriene agents may be used in addition to inhaled corticosteroids if symptoms remain uncontrolled.[1] Treatment of rapidly worsening symptoms is usually with an inhaled 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.[8]
In 2019, 262 million people globally had asthma, up from 183 million in 1990.[3][9] It caused about 455,000 deaths in 2019, most of which occurred in the developing world.[3] Asthma typically begins in childhood, more frequently before age 25 years, but the onset can be at any age.[1] Boys are affected more frequently than girls and women more than men.[1] Rates doubled over the second half of the 20th century, with higher rates in industrialized countries.[1] There appears to be lower rates in people growing up in farming environments.[1] Asthma was recognized as early as Ancient Egypt.[10] The word "asthma" is from the Greek ἅσθμα, ásthma, which means "panting".[11][12]