Asthma: Challenges and Concerns

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition of the airway of the lungs. It often involves reversible airflow obstruction and bronchospasm. Some of its common symptoms include shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing and chest tightness. The condition of a person having asthma usually becomes worse with exercise. It is caused due to a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Air pollution, smoking during pregnancy, exposure to indoor volatile organic compounds and exposure to indoor allergens, like cockroaches and dust mites, are the common environmental factors contributing to asthma. Spirometry is the recommended test to diagnose asthma. Bronchodilators, leukotriene antagonists and mast cell stabilizers are some of the most commonly used treatment methods. This book unravels the recent studies in the management of asthma. It strives to provide a fair idea about asthma and the challenges and concerns related to it. This book includes contributions of experts and scientists which will provide innovative insights into this disease.