Asthma

Asthma is a disease that is characterized by airway hyperresponsiveness, reversible airway obstruction, and airway inflammation. The hyperresponsiveness is caused by an exaggerated bronchoconstrictor response to stimuli such as histamine. Airway edema can be caused by mucous hypersecretion, resulting in the formation of mucous plugs and swelling. This entry discusses various issues related to asthma, including diagnosis, classification, and treatment and management. (See the entry Asthma, Exercise-Induced.)

This is an important topic for sports medicine because undiagnosed or uncontrolled asthma can result in poor ...