Asthma Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Triggers and Treatment Information On EMedicineHealth

Asthma Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Triggers and Treatment Inf...
1 of 19
http://www.emedicinehealth.com/script/main/art.asp?articlekey=59369&...
Print
Close
2011 WebMD, LLC.
All rights reserved.
Asthma
Recommend
Asthma Overview
Asthma Causes
Asthma Symptoms
When to Seek Medical Care
Exams and Tests
Asthma Treatment
Self-Care at Home
Medical Treatment
Medications
Next Steps
Follow-up
Prevention
Outlook
Support Groups and Counseling
For More Information
Web Links
Multimedia
Synonyms and Keywords
Authors and Editors
Viewer Comments: Asthma - Effective Treatments
Asthma Overview
Asthma is a disease that affects the breathing passages of the lungs (bronchioles). Asthma is
caused by chronic (ongoing, long-term) inflammation of these passages. This makes the
breathing passages, or airways, of the person with asthma highly sensitive to various
"triggers."
When the inflammation is "triggered" by any number of external and internal

factors, the passages swell and fill with mucus.
Muscles within the breathing passages contract (bronchospasm), causing

even further narrowing of the airways.
This narrowing makes it difficult for air to be breathed out (exhaled) from the
lungs.
This resistance to exhaling leads to the typical symptoms of an asthma

attack.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
2 of 19
Because asthma causes resistance, or obstruction, to exhaled air, it is called an obstructive

lung disease. The medical term for such lung conditions is chronic obstructive pulmonary
disease or COPD. COPD is actually a group of diseases that includes not only asthma but
also chronic bronchitis and emphysema.
Like any other chronic disease, asthma is a condition you live with every day of your life. You
can have an attack any time you are exposed to one of your triggers. Unlike other chronic
obstructive lung diseases, asthma is reversible.
Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled.
You have a better chance of controlling your asthma if it is diagnosed early

and treatment is begun right away.
With proper treatment, people with asthma can have fewer and less severe
attacks.
Without treatment, they will have more frequent and more severe asthma
attacks and can even die.
Asthma is on the rise in the United States and other developed countries. We are not sure
exactly why this is, but these factors may contribute.
We grow up as children with less exposure to infection than did our

ancestors, which has made our immune systems more sensitive.
We spend more and more time indoors, where we are exposed to indoor
allergens such as dust and mold.
The air we breathe is more polluted than the air most of our ancestors
breathed.
Our lifestyle has led to our getting less exercise and an epidemic of obesity.
There is some evidence to suggest an association between obesity and
asthma.
Asthma is a very common disease in the United States, where more than 17 million people
are affected. A third of these are children. Asthma affects all races and is slightly more
common in African Americans than in other races.
Asthma affects all ages, although it is more common in younger people.

The frequency and severity of asthma attacks tend to decrease as a person
ages.
Asthma is the most common chronic disease of children.

Asthma has many costs to society as well as to the individual affected.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
3 of 19
Many people are forced to make compromises in their lifestyle to

accommodate their disease.
Asthma is a major cause of work and school absence and lost productivity.
Asthma is one of the most common reasons for emergency department

visits and hospitalization.
Asthma costs the U.S. economy nearly $13 billion each year.
Approximately 5,000 people die of asthma each year in this country.

The good news for people with asthma is that you can live your life to the fullest. Current
treatments for asthma, if followed closely, allow most people with asthma to limit the number
of attacks they have. With the help of your health-care provider, you can take control of your
care and your life.
Asthma Causes
The exact cause of asthma is not known.
What all people with asthma have in common is chronic airway inflammation
and excessive airway sensitivity to various triggers.
Research has focused on why some people develop asthma while others do
not.
Some people are born with the tendency to have asthma, while others are
not. Scientists are trying to find the genes that cause this tendency.
The environment you live in and the way you live partly determine whether
you have asthma attacks.
An asthma attack is a reaction to a trigger. It is similar in many ways to an allergic reaction.
An allergic reaction is a response by the body's immune system to an

"invader."
When the cells of the immune system sense an invader, they set off a
series of reactions that help fight off the invader.
It is this series of reactions that causes the production of mucus and

bronchospasms. These responses cause the symptoms of an asthma
attack.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
4 of 19
In asthma, the "invaders" are the triggers listed below. Triggers vary among
individuals.
Because asthma is a type of allergic reaction, it is sometimes called reactive

airway disease.
Each person with asthma has his or her own unique set of triggers. Most triggers cause
attacks in some people with asthma and not in others. Common triggers of asthma attacks
are the following:
exposure to tobacco or wood smoke,
breathing polluted air,
inhaling other respiratory irritants such as perfumes or cleaning products,
exposure to airway irritants at the workplace,
breathing in allergy-causing substances (allergens) such as molds, dust, or

animal dander,
an upper respiratory infection, such as a cold, flu, sinusitis, or bronchitis,
exposure to cold, dry weather,
emotional excitement or stress,
physical exertion or exercise,
reflux of stomach acid known as gastroesophageal reflux disease, or GERD,
sulfites, an additive to some foods and wine, and
menstruation: In some, not all, women, asthma symptoms are closely tied to
the menstrual cycle.
Risk factors for developing asthma:
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
5 of 19
hay fever (allergic rhinitis) and other allergies -- this is the single biggest risk
factor;
eczema: another type of allergy affecting the skin; and
genetic predisposition: a parent, brother, or sister also has asthma.
Asthma Symptoms
When the breathing passages become irritated or infected, an attack is triggered. The attack
may come on suddenly or develop slowly over several days or hours. The main symptoms
that signal an attack are as follows:
wheezing,
breathlessness,
chest tightness,
coughing, and
difficulty speaking.
Symptoms may occur during the day or at night. If they happen at night, they may disturb your
sleep.
Wheezing is the most common symptom of an asthma attack.
Wheezing is a musical, whistling, or hissing sound with breathing.
Wheezes are most often heard during exhalation, but they can occur during
breathing in (inhaling).
Not all asthmatics wheeze, and not all people who wheeze are asthmatics.
Current guidelines for the care of people with asthma include classifying the severity of
asthma symptoms, as follows:
Mild intermittent: This includes attacks no more than twice a week and
nighttime attacks no more than twice a month. Attacks last no more than a
few hours to days. Severity of attacks varies, but there are no symptoms
between attacks.
Mild persistent: This includes attacks more than twice a week, but not every
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
6 of 19
day, and nighttime symptoms more than twice a month. Attacks are
sometimes severe enough to interrupt regular activities.
Moderate persistent: This includes daily attacks and nighttime symptoms

more than once a week. More severe attacks occur at least twice a week
and may last for days. Attacks require daily use of quick-relief (rescue)
medication and changes in daily activities.
Severe persistent: This includes frequent severe attacks, continual daytime

symptoms, and frequent nighttime symptoms. Symptoms require limits on
daily activities.
Just because a person has mild or moderate asthma does not mean that he or she cannot
have a severe attack. The severity of asthma can change over time, either for better or for
worse.
When to Seek Medical Care

If you think you or your child may have asthma, make an appointment with your health-care
provider. Some clues pointing to asthma include the following:
wheezing,
difficulty breathing,
pain or tightness in your chest, and
recurrent, spasmodic cough that is worse at night.

If you or your child has asthma, you should have an action plan worked out in advance with
your health-care provider. This plan should include instructions on what to do when an asthma
attack occurs, when to call the health-care provider, and when to go to a hospital emergency
department. The following are general guidelines only. If your provider recommends another
plan for you, follow that plan.
Take two puffs of an inhaled beta-agonist (a rescue medication), with one

minute between puffs. If there is no relief, take an additional puff of inhaled
beta-agonist every five minutes. If there is no response after eight puffs,
which is 40 minutes, your health-care provider should be called.
Your provider also should be called if you have an asthma attack when you
are already taking oral or inhaled steroids or if your inhaler treatments are
not lasting four hours.
Although asthma is a reversible disease, and treatments are available, people can die from a
severe asthma attack.
If you are having an asthma attack and have severe shortness of breath or
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
7 of 19
are unable to reach your health-care provider in a short period of time, you
must go to the nearest hospital emergency department.
Do not drive yourself to the hospital. Have a friend or family member drive. If
you are alone, call 911 immediately for emergency medical transport.
Exams and Tests

If you go to the emergency department for an asthma attack, the health care provider will first
assess how severe the attack is. Attacks are usually classified as mild, moderate, or severe.
This assessment is based on several factors:
symptom severity and duration,
degree of airway obstruction, and
the extent to which the attack is interfering with regular activities.

Mild and moderate attacks usually involve the following symptoms, which may come on
gradually:
chest tightness,
coughing or spitting up mucus,
restlessness or trouble sleeping, and
wheezing.
Severe attacks are less common. They may involve the following symptoms:
breathlessness,
difficulty talking,
tightness in neck muscles,
slight gray or bluish color in your lips and fingernail beds,
skin appear "sucked in" around the rib cage, and
"silent" chest (no wheezing on inhalation or exhalation)
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
8 of 19
.
If you are able to speak, the health-care provider will ask you questions about your
symptoms, your medical history, and your medications. Answer as completely as you can. He
or she will also examine you and observe you as you breathe.
If this is your first attack, or the first time you have sought medical attention for your
symptoms, the health-care provider will ask questions and perform tests to search for and
rule out other causes of the symptoms.
Measurements of how well you are breathing include the following:
Spirometer: This device measures how much air you can exhale and how
forcefully you can breathe out. The test may be done before and after you
take inhaled medication. Spirometry is a good way to see how much your
breathing is impaired during an attack.
Peak flow meter: This is another way of measuring how forcefully you can
breathe out during an attack.
Oximetry: A painless probe, called a pulse oximeter, will be placed on your

fingertip to measure the amount of oxygen in your bloodstream.
There is no blood test than can pinpoint the cause of asthma.
Your blood may be checked for signs of an infection that might be

contributing to this attack.
In severe attacks, it may be necessary to sample blood from an artery to

determine exactly how much oxygen and carbon dioxide are present in your
body.
A chest x-ray may also be taken. This is mostly to rule out other conditions that can cause
similar symptoms.
Asthma Treatment
Since asthma is a chronic disease, treatment goes on for a very long time. Some people
have to stay on treatment for the rest of their lives. The best way to improve your condition
and live your life on your terms is to learn all you can about your asthma and what you can do
to make it better.
Become a partner with your health-care provider and his or her support
staff. Use the resources they can offer -- information, education, and
expertise -- to help yourself.
Become aware of your asthma triggers and do what you can to avoid them.
Follow the treatment recommendations of your health-care provider.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
9 of 19
Understand your treatment. Know what each drug does and how it is used.
See your health-care provider as scheduled.
Report any changes or worsening of your symptoms promptly.
Report any side effects you are having with your medications.
These are the goals of treatment:
prevent ongoing and bothersome symptoms;
prevent asthma attacks;
prevent attacks severe enough to require a visit to your provider or an

emergency department or hospitalization;
carry on with normal activities;
maintain normal or near-normal lung function; and
have as few side effects of medication as possible.
Self-Care at Home
Current treatment regimens are designed to minimize discomfort, inconvenience, and the
extent to which you have to limit your activities. If you follow your treatment plan closely, you
should be able to avoid or reduce your visits to your health-care provider or the emergency
department.
Know your triggers and do what you can to avoid them.
If you smoke, quit.
Do not take cough medicine. These medicines do not help asthma and may
cause unwanted side effects.
Aspirin and nonsteroidal antiinflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen, can

cause asthma to worsen in certain individuals. These medications should
not be taken without the advice of your health-care provider.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
10 of 19
Do not use nonprescription inhalers. These contain very short-acting drugs

that may not last long enough to relieve an asthma attack and may cause
unwanted side effects.
Take only the medications your health-care provider has prescribed for your
asthma. Take them as directed.
Do not take any nonprescription preparations, herbs, or dietary

supplements, even if they are completely "natural," without talking to your
health-care provider first. Some of these may have unwanted side effects or
interfere with your medications.
If the medication is not working, do not take more than you have been
directed to take. Overusing asthma medications can be dangerous.
Be prepared to go on to the next step of your action plan if necessary.

If you think your medication is not working, let your health-care provider know
right away.
Medical Treatment
If you are in the emergency room, treatment will be started while the evaluation is still going
on.
You may be given oxygen through a face mask or a tube that goes in your
nose.
You may be given aerosolized beta-agonist medications through a face

mask or a nebulizer, with or without an anticholinergic agent.
Another method of providing inhaled beta-agonists is by using a metered

dose inhaler or MDI. An MDI delivers a standard dose of medication per
puff. MDIs are often used along with a "spacer" or holding chamber. A dose
of six to eight puffs is sprayed into the spacer, which is then inhaled. The
advantage of an MDI with a spacer is that it requires little or no assistance
from the respiratory therapist.
If you are already on steroid medications, or have recently stopped taking

steroid medications, or if this appears to be a very severe attack, you may
be given a dose of IV steroids.
If you are taking a methylxanthine, such as theophylline or aminophylline,
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
11 of 19
the blood level of this drug will be checked, and you may be given this
medication through an IV.
People who respond poorly to inhaled beta-agonists may be given an

injection or IV dose of a beta-agonist such as terbutaline or epinephrine.
You will be observed for at least several hours while your test results are
obtained and evaluated. You will be monitored for signs of improvement or
worsening.
If you respond well to treatment, you will probably be released from the
hospital. Be on the lookout over the next several hours for a return of
symptoms. If symptoms should return or worsen, return to the emergency
department right away.
Your response will likely be monitored by a peak flow meter.

In certain circumstances, you may need to be admitted to the hospital. There you can be
watched carefully and treated should your condition worsen. Conditions for hospitalization
include the following:
an attack that is very severe or does not respond well to treatment;
poor lung function observed on spirometry;
elevated carbon dioxide or low oxygen levels in your blood;
a history of being admitted to the hospital or placed on a ventilator for your

asthma attacks;
other serious disease that may jeopardize your recovery; and
other serious lung illnesses or injuries, such as pneumonia or

pneumothorax (a "collapsed" lung).
If your asthma has just been diagnosed, you may be started on a regimen of medications and
monitoring. You will be given two types of medications:
Controller medications: These are for long-term control of persistent

asthma. They help to reduce the inflammation in the lungs that underlies
asthma attacks. You take these every day regardless of whether you are
having symptoms or not.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
12 of 19
Rescue medications: These are for short-term control of asthma attacks.

You take these only when you are having symptoms or are more likely to
have an attack -- for example, when you have an infection in your
respiratory tract.
Your treatment plan will also include other parts:
awareness of your triggers and avoiding the triggers as much as possible;
recommendations for coping with asthma in your daily life;
regular follow-up visits to your health care provider; and
use of a peak flow meter.

At your follow-up visits, your health-care provider will review how you have been doing.
He or she will ask you about frequency and severity of attacks, use of
rescue medications, and peak flow measurements.
Lung function tests may be done to see how your lungs are responding to
your treatment.
This is a good time to discuss medication side effects or any problems you
are having with your treatment.
The peak flow meter is a simple, inexpensive device that measures how forcefully you are
able to exhale.
Ask your health-care provider or an assistant to show you how to use the
peak flow meter. He or she should watch you use it until you can do it
correctly.
Keep one in your home and use it regularly. Your health-care provider will
make suggestions as to when you should measure your peak flow.
Checking your peak flow is a good way to help you and your health-care
provider assess what triggers your asthma and its severity.
Check your peak flow regularly and keep a record of the results. Over time,
your health-care provider may be able to use this record to determine
appropriate medications, reducing dose or side effects.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
13 of 19
Peak flow measures fall just before an asthma attack. If you use your peak
flow meter regularly, you may be able to predict when you are going to have
an attack.
It can also be used to check your response to rescue medications.

Together, you and your health-care provider will develop an action plan for you in case of
asthma attack. The action plan will include the following:
how to use the controller medication;
how to use rescue medication in case of an attack;
what to do if the rescue medication does not work right away;
when to call the health-care provider; and
when to go directly to the hospital emergency department.
Medications
Controller medicines help minimize the inflammation that causes an acute asthma attack.
Long-acting beta-agonists: This class of drugs is chemically related to

adrenaline, a hormone produced by the adrenal glands. Inhaled long-acting
beta-agonists work to keep breathing passages open for 12 hours or longer.
They relax the muscles of the breathing passages, dilating the passages
and decreasing the resistance to exhaled airflow, making it easier to
breathe. They may also help to reduce inflammation, but they have no
effect on the underlying cause of the asthma attack. Side effects include
rapid heartbeat and shakiness. Salmeterol (Serevent) and formoterol
(Foradil) are long-acting beta-agonists.
Inhaled corticosteroids are the main class of medications in this group. The
inhaled steroids act locally by concentrating their effects directly within the
breathing passages, with very few side effects outside of the lungs.
Beclomethasone (Vancenase, Beclovent) and triamcinolone (Nasacort,
Atolone) are examples of inhaled corticosteroids.
Leukotriene inhibitors are another group of controller medications.

Leukotrienes are powerful chemical substances that promote the
inflammatory response seen during an acute asthma attack. By blocking
these chemicals, leukotriene inhibitors reduce inflammation. The leukotriene
inhibitors are considered a second line of defense against asthma and
usually are used for asthma that is not severe enough to require oral
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
14 of 19
corticosteroids.
Zileuton (Zyflo), zafirlukast (Accolate), and montelukast (Singulair) are

examples of leukotriene inhibitors.
Methylxanthines are another group of controller medications useful in the

treatment of asthma. This group of medications is chemically related to
caffeine. Methylxanthines work as long-acting bronchodilators. At one time,
methylxanthines were commonly used to treat asthma. Today, because of
significant caffeine-like side effects, they are being used less frequently in
the routine management of asthma. Theophylline and aminophylline are
examples of methylxanthine medications.
Cromolyn sodium is another medication that can prevent the release of

chemicals that cause asthma-related inflammation. This drug is especially
useful for people who develop asthma attacks in response to certain types
of allergic exposures. When taken regularly prior to an exposure, cromolyn
sodium can prevent the development of an asthma attack. However, this
medicine is of no use once an asthma attack has begun.
Omalizumab belongs to a newer class of agents that works with the body's
immune system. In people with asthma who have an elevated level of
Immunoglobulin E (Ig E), an allergy antibody, this drug given by injection
may be helpful with symptoms that are more difficult to control. This agent
inhibits IgE binding to cells that release chemicals that worsen asthma
symptoms. This binding prevents release of these mediators, thereby
helping in controlling the disease.
Rescue medications are taken after an asthma attack has already begun. These do not take
the place of controller drugs. Do not stop taking your controller drug(s) during an asthma
attack.
Short-acting beta-agonists are the most commonly used rescue

medications. Inhaled short-acting beta-agonists work rapidly, within
minutes, to open the breathing passages, and the effects usually last four
hours. Albuterol (Proventil, Ventolin) is the most frequently used shortacting beta-agonist medication.
Anticholinergics are another class of drugs useful as rescue medications

during asthma attacks. Inhaled anticholinergic drugs open the breathing
passages, similar to the action of the beta-agonists. Inhaled anticholinergics
take slightly longer than beta-agonists to achieve their effect, but they last
longer than the beta-agonists. An anticholinergic drug is often used
together with a beta-agonist drug to produce a greater effect than either
drug can achieve by itself. Ipratropium bromide (Atrovent) is the inhaled
anticholinergic drug currently used as a rescue asthma medication.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
15 of 19
Next Steps
Follow-up
If you have been treated in a hospital emergency department, you will be discharged once
you respond well to the treatment.
You may be asked to see your primary-care provider or an asthma specialist

(allergist) in the next day or two.
If your symptoms return, or if you begin to feel worse, you should

immediately contact your health-care provider or return to the emergency
department.
Asthma is a long-term disease, but it can be managed. Your active involvement in treating
this disease is vitally important.
Take your prescribed medications as directed, both controller and rescue

medications.
See your health-care provider regularly according to the recommended

schedule.
Avoid any known triggers.
If you smoke, quit.
By following these steps, you can help minimize the frequency and severity
of your asthma attacks.
Asthma is now treated in a step-wise approach.
Intermittent asthma is treated with a rescue inhaler which is only used for
symptoms.
Persistent asthma requires the use of maintenance medication, usually

initially an inhaled steroid, but other medications such as leukotriene
inhibitors are also used. The more severe the asthmatic condition, the more
maintenance medications are required, and therapy is "stepped up." These
additional medications include the long-acting beta agonists, oral steroids,
and in some cases, theophyllines or omalizumab.
As asthma improves, decreasing the amount of medication (under a

physician's guidance) and in some cases, stopping some of the medication
may be indicated. This is referred to as "stepping down" therapy.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
16 of 19
Prevention
You need to know how to prevent or minimize future asthma attacks.
If your asthma attacks are triggered by an allergic reaction, avoid your

triggers as much as possible.
Keep taking your asthma medications after you are discharged. This is
extremely important. Although the symptoms of an acute asthma attack go
away after appropriate treatment, asthma itself never goes away.
Outlook
Most people with asthma are able to control their condition if they work together with a
health-care provider and follow their treatment regimen carefully.
People who do not seek medical care or do not follow an appropriate treatment plan are likely
to experience worsening of their asthma and deterioration in their ability to function normally.
Support Groups and Counseling

Allergy & Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
2751 Prosperity Avenue, Suite 150
Fairfax, VA 22031
(800) 878-4403
American Lung Association
61 Broadway, 6th Floor
New York, NY 10006
(212) 315-8700
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
1233 20th St NW, Suite 402
Washington, DC 20636
(202) 466-7643
For More Information

Web Links
Allergy and Asthma Network Mothers of Asthmatics
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology
American Lung Association
Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America
National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
(NHLBI), National Institutes of Health, Lung Diseases Information
National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID), National Institutes of Health
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
17 of 19
Multimedia
Media file 1: A child with asthma using a metered dose inhaler.
Media type: Photo

Media file 2: An adult with asthma using a spirometer to measure how forcefully
she can exhale.
Media type: Photo

Media file 3: A pulse oximeter measures the amount of oxygen in your
bloodstream.
Media type: Photo

Media file 4: A person with asthma receives an inhalation treatment using a
hand-held nebulizer.
Media type: Photo
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
18 of 19
Media file 5: A child with asthma uses a metered dose inhaler with a spacer.
Media type: Photo
Synonyms and Keywords

allergies, allergy, allergic reaction, asthmatic bronchitis, bronchitis, atopic state, atopy,
breathing problem, bronchial asthma, bronchospasm, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease,
COPD, inflammation, lung hypersensitivity, metered dose inhaler, MDI, nebulizer, reactive
airway disease, respiratory disorder, spirometer, spirometry, asthma FAQs, asthma
frequently asked questions, asthma, asthma attack, occupational asthma, exercise-induced
asthma, adult-onset asthma, nocturnal asthma, asthma in pregnancy, asthma in school
children, asthmatic, breathing passages, airways, chronic airway inflammation, allergen,
wheeze, bronchiolitis, acute asthma, asthma medications, bronchial airways, bronchial airway
narrowing, inflammation of the bronchi, wheezing, dyspnea, airway narrowing, noisy
breathing, difficulty breathing, reactive airways disease, RAD, reversible airway obstruction,
increased bronchial reactivity, airway inflammation, passive smoke inhalation, allergic
disease, aeroallergen exposure, viral respiratory illness, airway hyperreactivity, AHR, airway
remodeling, asthma triggers, nonallergic rhinitis, early allergic response, EAR, late allergic
response, LAR, chest tightness, breathlessness, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, BHR,
exposure to allergens, exposure to environmental irritants, exposure to viruses, exposure to
cold air, allergic rhinitis, acute bronchoconstriction, airway edema, chronic mucous plug
formation, hay fever, indoor allergies, indoor allergy, indoor allergens, indoor allergen, asthma
assessment, asthma quiz
Authors and Editors

Author: George C. Schiffman, MD, FCCP
Editor: Melissa Conrad Stppler, MD
Author: Jeffrey Rubins, MD, Director Clinical Operations, Associate Professor,

Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary, Minneapolis VA Medical
Center, University of Minnesota-Twin Cities.
Coauthor(s): Kathryn L Hale, MS, PA-C, Medical Writer, eMedicine.com, Inc.
Editors: Ryland P Byrd Jr, MD, Chief of Pulmonary Medicine, Medical Director of
Respiratory Therapy, Quillen VA Medical Center; Professor, Department of
Internal Medicine, Division of Pulmonary Diseases and Critical Care Medicine,
James H Quillen College of Medicine, East Tennessee State University;
Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine; Zab
Mosenifar, MD, Director, Division of Pulmonary and Critical Care Medicine,
Executive Vice Chair, Department of Medicine, Cedars Sinai Medical Center,
3/23/2011 10:39 PM
19 of 19
Professor of Medicine, University of California at Los Angeles School of Medicine.

Last Editorial Review: 3/27/2009
2011 WebMD, LLC.

All rights reserved.
eMedicineHealth does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. See
Additional Information.
3/23/2011 10:39 PM

Asthma Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Triggers and Treatment Information On EMedicineHealth

Uploaded by

Document Information

Original Title

Copyright

Available Formats

Share this document

Share or Embed Document

Sharing Options

Did you find this document useful?

Is this content inappropriate?

Copyright:

Available Formats

Asthma Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Triggers and Treatment Information On EMedicineHealth

Uploaded by

Copyright:

Available Formats

Asthma Causes, Symptoms, Signs, Diagnosis, Triggers and Treatment Inf...

When the inflammation is "triggered" by any number of external and internal

Muscles within the breathing passages contract (bronchospasm), causing

This resistance to exhaling leads to the typical symptoms of an asthma