Asthma- Definition, Diagnosis and Causes

Course overview

This course provides a comprehensive examination of asthma as a chronic, heterogeneous airway disease characterized by variable respiratory symptoms and fluctuating expiratory airflow limitation. Participants will explore the inflammatory and structural mechanisms underlying asthma, common allergic and nonallergic causes, environmental and occupational triggers, genetic susceptibility, and factors associated with disease development and exacerbation. The course also reviews clinical assessment and current diagnostic methods, including spirometry, bronchodilator responsiveness, peak expiratory flow monitoring, bronchoprovocation testing, and inflammatory biomarkers. Emphasis is placed on distinguishing asthma from other conditions that produce cough, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath.