Asthma

Abstract

Asthma is the most common respiratory disorder in Canada. Despite significant improvement in the diagnosis and management of this disorder, the majority of Canadians with asthma remain poorly controlled. In most patients, however, control can be achieved through the use of avoidance measures and appropriate pharmacological interventions. Inhaled corticosteroids (ICS) represent the standard of care for the majority of patients. Combination ICS/long-acting beta2-agonist inhalers are preferred for most adults who fail to achieve control with ICS therapy. Biologic therapies targeting immunoglobulin E or interleukin-5 are recent additions to the asthma treatment armamentarium and may be useful in select cases of difficult to control asthma. Allergen-specific immunotherapy represents a potentially disease-modifying therapy for many patients with asthma, but should only be prescribed by physicians with appropriate training in allergy. In addition to avoidance measures and pharmacotherapy, essential components of asthma management include: regular monitoring of asthma control using objective testing measures such as spirometry, whenever feasible; creation of written asthma action plans; assessing barriers to treatment and adherence to therapy; and reviewing inhaler device technique. This article provides a review of current literature and guidelines for the appropriate diagnosis and management of asthma in adults and children.

Therapeutic Potential of Volatile Terpenes and Terpenoids from Forests for Inflammatory Diseases

“…Studies on six or more separate populations revealed that asthma is associated with various genes, such as CTLA4, GSTM1, IL4R, IL10, LTC4S, and SPINK5 [156], many of which are related to the immune system or inflammation. Although symptoms can be prevented by avoiding allergens and irritants, and by the use of inhaled corticosteroids, there is no cure for asthma [157].…”

Flujometría versus espirometría para el diagnóstico de asma en adultos

“…8 Por otra parte, el perfil Th1 (IFN-γ, interferón gamma) activa fagocitos, producción de opsoninas y estimula la respuesta inmune celular. 9 Los componentes liberados por ambos perfiles producen broncoconstricción, inflamación y engrosamiento del músculo liso.…”

GM-CSF and IL-33 Orchestrate Polynucleation and Polyploidy of Resident Murine Alveolar Macrophages in a Murine Model of Allergic Asthma

“…Asthma is a widespread disease affecting 300 million people around the world and estimations predict that 100 million more will be affected by 2050 [ 1 ]. It is characterized by airway hyper-responsiveness, narrowing of the airways, inflammatory cell recruitment, and increased mucus production [ 2 ]. Further, allergic asthma is characterized by an allergen-triggered eosinophilic infiltration; the presence of type 2 cytokines such as interleukin (IL)-4, IL-5, and IL-13; and the presence of Immunoglobulin IgE [ 2 ].…”