BRONCHIAL ASTHMA: CURRENT CONCEPTS

The term asthma was coined from the Greek word Aazein, which means short-drawn breath. A Greek physician named Aretaeus of Cappadocia was the very first person who gave an accurate description of asthma in the second century. During the earlier period, asthma was not a disease but rather a symptom to describe various respiratory diseases. Currently, asthma is considered a disease condition characterized by reversible chronic airway inflammation. It is defined by symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, heaviness in chest and cough. Asthma is usually associated with hyper airway responsiveness and inflammation of the airway. One of the most prevalent chronic, noncommunicable illnesses in both children and adults, asthma, is marked by a wide range of respiratory symptoms and airflow restriction. With variation in clinical presentation, kind and degree of inflammation of the airways and remodeling, asthma is a result of complex gene‒environment interactions. The main aim of asthma treatment is to minimize exacerbation risk and symptom load to achieve effective asthma control. The cornerstone of asthma therapy is a stepwise regimen of anti-inflammatory and bronchodilator medications. The foundation of pharmaceutical therapy is a cycle of review and re-examination of symptom management, risk factors, comorbidities, side effects, and patient satisfaction through the use of shared choices. When asthma is uncontrolled or requires high-intensity medication to stay under control, it is categorized as severe.

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