TY - CHAP M1 - Book, Section TI - Asthma A1 - Barnes, Peter J. A2 - Kasper, Dennis A2 - Fauci, Anthony A2 - Hauser, Stephen A2 - Longo, Dan A2 - Jameson, J. Larry A2 - Loscalzo, Joseph PY - 2014 T2 - Harrison's Principles of Internal Medicine, 19e AB - Asthma is a syndrome characterized by airflow obstruction that varies markedly, both spontaneously and with treatment. Asthmatics harbor a special type of inflammation in the airways that makes them more responsive than nonasthmatics to a wide range of triggers, leading to excessive narrowing with consequent reduced airflow and symptomatic wheezing and dyspnea. Narrowing of the airways is usually reversible, but in some patients with chronic asthma there may be an element of irreversible airflow obstruction. The increasing global prevalence of asthma, the large burden it now imposes on patients, and the high health care costs have led to extensive research into its mechanisms and treatment. SN - PB - McGraw-Hill Education CY - New York, NY Y2 - 2022/05/28 UR - accesspharmacy.mhmedical.com/content.aspx?aid=1120807725 ER -