asthma

Asthma is a respiratory disorder marked by breathing difficulty caused by temporary narrowing of the bronchi, the airways branching from the trachea to the lungs. Attacks usually are brought on by allergic reaction to ANTIGENS such as grass and tree pollens, mold spores, fungi, animal dander, and certain foods but may also be caused by chemical irritants in the atmosphere or by infections of the respiratory tract. Susceptibility to an asthma attack is based on …

…Relaxation and breathing exercises have also been found helpful. Most asthma attacks can be controlled by the administration of appropriate drugs by injection, orally, or by inhalation of aerosols. Occasionally, oxygen administration or use of a respirator may be required. Asthma attacks can result in death. Peter L. Petrakis Bibliography: Gershwin, M. E., and Klingelhofer, E. L., Asthma (1986); Rudoff, Carol, Asthma Resources Directory (1990); Subak-Sharpe, G., Breathing Easy (1988); Young, Stuart, H., et al., The Asthma Handbook (1985).