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Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway condition with variable symptoms and reversible or variable airflow limitation. Triggers and disease severity vary.

At a glance

Quick facts

Category
Respiratory disorders
What it is
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway condition with variable symptoms and reversible or variable airflow limitation.
Typical presentation
Wheezing, episodic cough, breathlessness and chest tightness can worsen at night, with exercise or after exposure to triggers.
Assessment
Clinical history, spirometry with bronchodilator testing and sometimes further lung-function testing support diagnosis.
Treatment approach
Controller treatment commonly includes inhaled corticosteroid-containing therapy, supported by inhaler-technique review and an action plan.
Key safety concern
Severe breathlessness, inability to speak in sentences, blue lips, exhaustion or poor response to reliever treatment requires emergency care.

Names & terminology

Understanding the name

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway condition with variable symptoms and reversible or variable airflow limitation. Triggers and disease severity vary.

Clinical reference

Clinical profile

Summary
CategoryRespiratory disorders
What it isAsthma is a chronic inflammatory airway condition with variable symptoms and reversible or variable airflow limitation.
Typical presentationWheezing, episodic cough, breathlessness and chest tightness can worsen at night, with exercise or after exposure to triggers.
AssessmentClinical history, spirometry with bronchodilator testing and sometimes further lung-function testing support diagnosis.
Treatment approachController treatment commonly includes inhaled corticosteroid-containing therapy, supported by inhaler-technique review and an action plan.
Key safety concernSevere breathlessness, inability to speak in sentences, blue lips, exhaustion or poor response to reliever treatment requires emergency care.

Overview

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway condition with variable symptoms and reversible or variable airflow limitation. Triggers and disease severity vary.

Symptoms and presentation

Wheezing, episodic cough, breathlessness and chest tightness can worsen at night, with exercise or after exposure to triggers.

CLINICAL FEATURES

Presentation and warning signs

The pattern varies and cannot replace an individual assessment.

Clinical overview
Presentation
  • Wheezing
  • episodic cough
  • breathlessness and chest tightness can worsen at night
  • with exercise or after exposure to triggers
Clinical assessment
  • Clinical history, spirometry with bronchodilator testing and sometimes further lung-function testing support diagnosis
  • Interpret results with history and examination
When to seek urgent care
  • Severe breathlessness, inability to speak in sentences, blue lips, exhaustion or poor response to reliever treatment requires emergency care.

Emergency symptoms and clinical severity should be assessed locally.

Clinical assessment and diagnosis

Clinical history, spirometry with bronchodilator testing and sometimes further lung-function testing support diagnosis.

ASSESSMENT

How the clinical assessment proceeds

Exact investigations depend on the clinical context.

Clinical workflow
1Define the symptom patternWheezing, episodic cough, breathlessness and chest tightness can worsen at night, with exercise or after exposure to triggers.
2Assess disease or alternative causesClinical history, spirometry with bronchodilator testing and sometimes further lung-function testing support diagnosis.
3Discuss care and monitoringController treatment commonly includes inhaled corticosteroid-containing therapy, supported by inhaler-technique review and an action plan. The regimen is tailored to severity and risk.

Treatment and management

Controller treatment commonly includes inhaled corticosteroid-containing therapy, supported by inhaler-technique review and an action plan. The regimen is tailored to severity and risk.

Treatment & care hub

Elements of care

Individual treatment is based on diagnosis, comorbidities and clinician assessment.

Management overview
Confirm diagnosisFirst step

Understand the underlying condition

Clinical history, spirometry with bronchodilator testing and sometimes further lung-function testing support diagnosis.

Tailor treatmentIndividualized

Choose evidence-based management

Controller treatment commonly includes inhaled corticosteroid-containing therapy, supported by inhaler-technique review and an action plan. The regimen is tailored to severity and risk.

Monitor safetyImportant

Recognize warning signs

Severe breathlessness, inability to speak in sentences, blue lips, exhaustion or poor response to reliever treatment requires emergency care.

Diagnosis→Tailored care→Monitoring

Complications and when to seek help

Severe breathlessness, inability to speak in sentences, blue lips, exhaustion or poor response to reliever treatment requires emergency care.

EVIDENCE AND DATA

Interpreting population statistics

Comparable, disease-specific prevalence or incidence data have not yet been curated for this entry. No prevalence estimate is supplied.

MedlinePlus Health Topics ↗
Data availabilityNot quantifiedUse condition-specific epidemiology, not estimated figures
No unsupported regional or country comparison is presented.

Frequently asked questions

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory airway condition with variable symptoms and reversible or variable airflow limitation. Triggers and disease severity vary.

How is it assessed?

Clinical history, spirometry with bronchodilator testing and sometimes further lung-function testing support diagnosis.

When should I seek urgent help?

Severe breathlessness, inability to speak in sentences, blue lips, exhaustion or poor response to reliever treatment requires emergency care.

Sources

  1. MedlinePlus, US National Library of Medicine — Asthma — health topic ↗
  2. NHLBI — Lung and breathing conditions ↗

This is an editorial evidence summary awaiting independent clinician review. It is not a diagnosis, a treatment plan, or a substitute for personalized medical care.