The prevention and treatment of acute asthma attacks

Asthma is a common disease, affecting an estimated 300 million individuals worldwide. It is a serious global health problem that has an impact upon all age groups. There is an increasing prevalence of asthma in many developing countries, together with rising treatment costs; constituting an escalating burden for patients and the community. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells play a role. The inflammation is associated with hyperreactive airways that lead to episodes of chest tightness, wheezing, breathlessness and coughing, especially at night or in the early morning. These episodes are usually associated with airflow obstruction due to narrowing of the airways, which is often reversible either spontaneously or with treatment.