Asthma

Cost of medication and stigma leading asthma sufferers to risk health

The high cost of medication, stigmatisation and poor acceptance of their condition are causing young adults to take a dangerous approach to managing their asthma, according to new research published today ...

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Feb 20, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Fungi offers new clues in asthma fight

Hundreds of tiny fungal particles found in the lungs of asthma sufferers could offer new clues in the development of new treatments, according to a team of Cardiff University scientists.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Feb 19, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

Cause of illness at Villanova lab still a mystery

(AP)—Officials say they still don't know what sickened people at a Villanova University chemistry lab, prompting evacuation of the building and sending 29 people to the hospital.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Feb 14, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Obstetric outcomes for women with asthma evaluated

(HealthDay)—Women with asthma have significantly higher odds for nearly all obstetric complications, according to a study published in the February issue of the American Journal of Obstetrics & Gynecology.

Health created Feb 12, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Urban school-based asthma treatment cost-effective

(HealthDay)—A program to administer asthma medication each day to urban children with asthma reduces symptoms and is cost-effective, according to research published online Feb. 11 in Pediatrics.

Diseases, Conditions, Syndromes created Feb 12, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

One in 20 cases of pre-eclampsia may be linked to air pollutant

One in every 20 cases of the serious condition of pregnancy, pre-eclampsia, may be linked to increased levels of the air pollutant ozone during the first three months, suggests a large study published in the online journal ...

Health created Feb 06, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Air pollution primes children for asthma-related cockroach allergy

An allergic reaction to cockroaches is a major contributor to asthma in urban children, but new research suggests that the insects are just one part of a more complex story. Very early exposure to certain components of air ...

Immunology created Feb 06, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0

Geographic factors can cause allergies, asthma

Those living near the equator may find themselves sneezing and wheezing more than usual. And the reason may not be due to increasing pollen counts. According to a new study released today, in the February issue of Annals of ...

Immunology created Feb 04, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Lead levels down in U.S. kids, but asthma cases rising

(HealthDay)—Lead levels in young children in the United States have declined dramatically in recent decades, according to government figures released Friday. But the new report on the environment and children's ...

Health created Jan 25, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Chronic heartburn could spur asthma in some patients

(HealthDay)—Chronic heartburn is a major cause of asthma in adults, a new study suggests.

Surgery created Jan 25, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Extreme cold snap brings unexpected health risks

(HealthDay)—As extreme cold blankets many parts of the United States, one expert warns that frigid temperatures can put people at greater risk not only for hypothermia and frostbite, but also for stroke, ...

Health created Jan 24, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Fast food linked to asthma and eczema

(Medical Xpress)—A large international study led from The University of Auckland has shown that an increased risk of severe asthma, eczema and rhinitis in adolescents and children is associated with eating fast food three ...

Health created Jan 23, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0 | with audio podcast

'Reversing' the symptoms of asthma

University of New South Wales researchers have developed a compound that has had a surprise result: being effective in the prevention of asthma.

Inflammatory disorders created Jan 22, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 1

Workplace link to one in six cases of adult asthma among UK baby boomers

The workplace may be responsible for around one in six cases of adult asthma among the British baby boomer generation - those born in the late 1950s - reveals research published online in the respiratory journal Thorax.

Health created Jan 21, 2013 | popularity not rated yet | comments 0

Smoke-free law linked to 12% decrease in child asthma hospital admissions, study finds

The introduction of smoke-free legislation in England was immediately followed by a fall in the number of children admitted to hospital with asthma symptoms, a new study has found.

Pediatrics created Jan 21, 2013 | popularity 5 / 5 (1) | comments 0


Asthma (from the Greek άσθμα, ásthma, "panting") is the common chronic inflammatory disease of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma is clinically classified according to the frequency of symptoms, forced expiratory volume in 1 second (FEV1), and peak expiratory flow rate. Asthma may also be classified as atopic (extrinsic) or non-atopic (intrinsic).

It is thought to be caused by a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Treatment of acute symptoms is usually with an inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonist (such as salbutamol). Symptoms can be prevented by avoiding triggers, such as allergens and irritants, and by inhaling corticosteroids. Leukotriene antagonists are less effective than corticosteroids and thus less preferred.

Its diagnosis is usually made based on the pattern of symptoms and/or response to therapy over time. The prevalence of asthma has increased significantly since the 1970s. As of 2010, 300 million people were affected worldwide. In 2009 asthma caused 250,000 deaths globally. Despite this, with proper control of asthma with step down therapy, prognosis is generally good.

This text uses material from Wikipedia and is available under the GNU Free Documentation License.

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