ABC Medical Center > Diseases > Asthma

What is asthma?

4 May 2021

It is a chronic condition that is usually of allergic or genetic origin that causes inflammation of the respiratory tract that produces noise or wheezing during breathing, shortness of breath, feeling of tightness in the chest, and coughing fits that can range from mild to severe. Asthmatic attacks can appear suddenly or develop over days, hours, or minutes. 

It affects patients of all ages and genders, although it usually begins in childhood. Different allergens, microorganisms, and risk factors in the environment can increase the risk of having asthma, such as:

  • Mites.
  • Climate changes.
  • Pet hair.
  • Stress.
  • Tobacco smoke.
  • Chemicals in the air or food.
  • Pollen.
  • Flu.
  • Cough.

People who don’t receive proper asthma treatment may experience sleep disturbances, daytime tiredness, and trouble concentrating.

Signs and symptoms Asthma

Symptoms and their intensity are variable, but the following are the most frequent:

  • Chest pain or tightness. 
  • Difficulty breathing or shortness of breath.
  • Noises and wheezing when breathing. 
  • Coughing fits.

Diagnosis and treatment Asthma

In addition to performing a physical examination and analyzing your medical history, you will be asked for pulmonary function and allergy tests, X-rays, and other tests that help assess your asthmatic situation and the treatment to be followed, which normally includes:  

  • Medication to prevent and control airway inflammation, as well as immediate-acting bronchodilators and corticosteroids for severe asthma attacks.
  • Avoid exposure to allergenic substances that can trigger asthmatic attacks.

In the Pulmonary Physiology and Inhalation Therapy Department we guarantee you the best care in respiratory ailments provided by highly trained medical personnel.

Thanks to an adequate clinical assessment and state-of-the-art equipment in pulmonary function tests, metabolic monitor, and video bronchoscopy, we offer you a timely and accurate diagnosis of your lung function. In addition, we have the most advanced mechanical ventilator system (52 mechanical ventilators).

Services:

  • Biopsies.
  • Calorimetry at rest.
  • Alveolar-capillary CO diffusion capacity.
  • Pre-bronchodilator spirometry.
  • Post-bronchodilator spirometry.
  • Video-bronchoscopy tests.
  • Cardiopulmonary tests in exercise.
  • Removal of foreign bodies.
  • Bronchial sampling.
  • Complete lung volumes.

Related centers and departments Asthma

Pulmonary Physiology and Inhalation Therapy
Radiology and Molecular Imaging
Clinical Laboratory

Fuentes:

  • mayoclinic.org
  • nhlbi.nih.gov
  • who.int
  • medlineplus.gov
  • medigraphic.com
  • Vázquez-García JC, Benítez-Pérez RE, Sánchez-Gallén E, et al. Estrategia de telesalud para mejorar el diagnóstico de EPOC y asma en México en el primer nivel de atención. Neumol Cir Torax. 2021;80(1):11-18. doi:10.35366/99449. 
  • Brid-Carrera E, Perea-Zorrilla T. Control del asma, características clínicas y epidemiológicas en Panamá. (CASPAN: Control del asma en Panamá). Neumol Cir Torax. 2020;79(3):145-150. doi:10.35366/96648. 
  • Huerta LJG. Estadísticas de la Revista Alergia, Asma e Inmunología Pediátricas ocupan uno de los primeros lugares en el ámbito médico de la especialidad de habla hispana como difusión y consulta. Alerg Asma Inmunol Pediatr. 2010;19(3):75-76.
  • Chapela MR, Barnes N, Cuevas SF, et al. Consenso Mexicano de AsmaGrupo de trabajo ‘Consenso Mexicano de Asma’. Neumol Cir Torax. 2005;64(Suppl: 1):7-44.

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    The dissemination of the content of this material is for informational purposes only and does not replace, under any circumstance or condition, a consultation with a specialist doctor, for which the ABC Medical Center is not responsible for the different use that may be given to it. If you require more information related to the subject, we suggest you contact the specialist doctor you trust directly.