title: [Diagnosis and treatment of asthma].
abstract: Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. It is suggested by characteristic history of recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and/or cough especially at night or in early morning. In asthmatic patients spirometry or pulmonary function tests demonstrate airflow obstruction that improves significantly, defined as both a 12% and 200 ml improvement in either FEV1 in response to inhaled bronchodilator. Measurement of airways responsiveness to methacholine in specialized pulmonary function laboratories may help to diagnose asthma. The goals for successful management of asthma are to achieve and maintain control of symptoms and to prevent asthma exacerbations.
authors: Unità Operativa Semplice Pronto Soccorso, Stabilimemto Ospedaliero Vittorio Cosentino, Cariati Marina. mimmourso71@yahoo.com
authors: Domenico Lorenzo
authors: DL
authors: Urso
authors: Vincenzo
authors: V
authors: Daniele
authors: Lorenzo
authors: L
authors: Formaro
authors: Giuseppe
authors: G
authors: Urso
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents / Q000145:classification / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001249:Asthma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000188:drug therapy*; D001985:Bronchial Provocation Tests; D002648:Child; D004359:Drug Therapy, Combination; D005541:Forced Expiratory Volume; D006801:Humans; D013147:Spirometry
chemical_list: D018927:Anti-Asthmatic Agents