Asthma

**Definition:** Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. It is characterised by an increased responsiveness of the trachea and bronchi to various stimuli and manifested by a widespread narrowing of the airways that change in severity either spontaneously or as a result of therapy. This leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early morning.

**Inclusions:** - Idiosyncratic asthma

**Exclusions:** - miner’s asthma - Wheezing - wood asthma - asthma with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease - chronic asthmatic (obstructive) bronchitis - chronic obstructive asthma