See also:
     Cough/shortness of breath Ddx
     Asthma exacerbation
Hx
     Shortness of breath
     Cough
     Wheezing
     Worse in cold air
     Recurrent episodes
Workup
     CBC
     CXR
     Peak flow measurement
     PFTs
     Methacholine challenge test
Patient classifications
     Intermittent
     Persistent
          Mild
          Moderate
          Severe
Sx
     Cough is the most common symptom
     Wheezing typical, but not necessarily present
Dx
     Asthma is a clinical diagnosis
Note
     Poor adherence to medications is the number one cause of suboptimal control
     Short term obstruction in asthma is due to
          Edema
          Mucous
          Bronchospasm
     70% of patients with asthma have persistent asthma, only 30% are truly intermittent asthma
Tx, long-term asthma control medications
     Inhaled corticosteroids
     Leukotriene modifiers such as Motelukast (Singulair)
     Long-acting beta agonists (LABA) such as Salmeterol or Formoterol
     Theophylline
     Combination inhalers
     Mast cell stabilizers such as Cromolyn sodium
     IgE binders such as Omalizumab (Xolair)
Tx, rescue medications
     Short-active beta agonists (SABA) like Albuterol
     Ipratropium
     Oral corticosteroids such as Prednisone or methylprednisolone
     IV corticosteroids such as methylprednisolone

Content on this page has not been checked for accuracy. The author's credentials have not been confirmed. Always use multiple peer-reviewed scholarly sources and good clinical judgement in your decision making.

The Compendium platform was created by David Kwinter, MD, CCFP(EM).

Dr. Kwinter is a Cayman Family Doctor. He runs a Family Medicine Clinic at Cayman Medical in George Town, Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands.