Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the bronchial walls characterized by mucus hypersecretion and bronchospasm that often has an allergic component. Symptoms include shortness of breath, cough, and wheezing. Treatment involves the use of steroids, bronchodilators, and oxygen with escalation to IV steroids, continuous bronchodilators, and mechanical ventilation if the patient does not improve. Chronic treatment is guided by symptom frequency and includes inhaled steroids and bronchodilators, with consideration of oral steroids and allergy treatment given the link between nasal allergies and asthma.

1. Asthma Steven Podnos MD