The pathobiology of acute asthma

Acute bronchial asthma is a common problem with immense medical and economic impacts. It is estimated that this disease affects 12 to 14 million people in the United States with costs in excess of $6 billion per year. Most of the morbidity and all of the mortality of asthma tends to be associated with acute exacerbations, and treatment of these events accounts for the majority of expenditures in money and health care resources. Unfortunately, the factors that contribute to the destabilization of asthma are rarely studied and much of the pathogenesis and pathobiology of acute asthma remains unknown. This article examines these issues and suggests treatment for acute asthma.