Diagnosis and Management of Bronchial Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways associated with airway hyperresponsiveness that leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing. These episodes are usually associated with widespread, but variable, airflow obtruction. Factors that influence the risk of asthma can be divided into those that trigger asthma symptoms, the former include host factors which are primarily genetic and the later are environmental factors. The goal of asthma treatment is to achieve and maintain clinical control. The effective management of asthma requires the development of a partnership between doctor and patient. Education should be an integral part of all interactions between doctors and patients.