Asthma

General Principles: Asthma is the most common chronic disease in westernized countries.  People with asthma have an underlying chronic inflammation of their airways.  This inflammation involves the activation of certain white blood cells called mast cells, eosinophils, and T-helper 2 lymphocytes. These activated cells make the airways more reactive to triggers such as exercise, allergens, air pollution, infection, and other irritants of various sorts. Typical symptoms of asthma include intermittent wheezing, cough, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.  Corticosteroid medications are the most effective means to treat asthma.  Inhaled steroids have become the primary means to prevent asthma from occurring.  Corticosteroids relieve the inflammation in the airways of people with asthma.  When airways are constricted, which causes wheezing, the beta-2-agonist drugs such as albuterol are the primary treatment for asthma acutely.

 Cellular Physiology:

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