Epidemiology: 24.6 million American's have asthma, 7 million of them are children. Asthma often starts during childhood, occurs more in boys than girls
Pathophysiology: Inflamed airways that are swollen, very sensitive , tend to act strongly to inhaled substances, increase amount of mucous causes increased narrowing to airways
Diagnosis: based on medical and family history, physical exam, allergy testing, measurement of sensitivity of airways if appropriate
Clinical presentation: short of breath, wheezing, tight neck muscles, unable to lay flat and complain of chest pain
Treatment: bronchodilators, cortisone drugs by nebulizer, leukotriene receptor antagonist, expectorants and antihistamines