Asthma

Abstract

Asthma is a chronic disorder of the airways characterized by variable and recurring symptoms of cough, wheezing and chest tightness, airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and underlying inflammation. Airway inflammation is a key feature and is associated with the basic physiologic and clinical attributes of asthma such as airway hyperresponsiveness, airflow limitation, and the chronic nature of the disease. Airway inflammation involves the interaction of a number of cells such as mast cells, eosinophils, T lymphocytes, macrophages, neutrophils, and epithelial cells. These cells release mediators that contribute to the characteristic features of asthma. The development of chronic inflammation may result in airway remodeling, which involves irreversible changes of all components of the airway. Airway remodeling has a direct role in the response to treatment and the persistent and chronic nature of the disease.