Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease ofthe airways, characterised clinically byrecurrent respiratory symptoms: dyspnoea,wheezing, chest tightness and/or cough,almost always associated with reversibleairflow limitation.The diagnosis of asthma is based on clinicalhistory and lung function tests, particularlypeak expiratory flow (PEF) and spirometry,with assessment of variable and/or reversibleairflow limitation. Allergy tests are alsousually performed during the first assessmentof a patient with suspected asthma to identifypossible triggers of asthma and to guide theiravoidance.