asthma

A chronic disease that inflames and narrows the airways, causing wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath.

A bronchial disease that is characterized by chronic inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which is caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. The disease with symptoms of recurring periods of wheezing (a whistling sound while breathing), with symptoms of chest tightness, with symptoms of shortness of breath, with symptoms of mucus production and with symptoms of coughing.

Signs and symptoms

• Bronchoconstriction
• Airway hyperresponsiveness

Medications that may treat it

albuterol aminophylline aspirin atropine bambuterol beclomethasone benralizumab bethanechol bitolterol budesonide butorphanol carteolol

Also known as: bronchial hyperreactivity; chronic obstructive asthma; chronic obstructive asthma with acute exacerbation; chronic obstructive asthma with status asthmaticus