Synonyms
Asthma; Wheezing
Definition
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory state of the airways that causes variable, and reversible, airflow obstruction (Kaplan et al. 2009). It is treatable, but does need to be differentiated from other diagnoses that can mimic asthma, and has different treatment modalities. Specific testing may be required. Wheezing is commonly only present during an exacerbation, and the lack of wheeze during the physical exam does not rule out asthma. Atypical findings in children who wheeze, including symptoms at or soon after birth, failing to thrive, continuous wheezing, or lack of association of wheeze with typical triggers (viruses, allergen exposure, exercise), should prompt evaluation for other diagnoses (Liu et al. 2011).
Other Obstructive Lung Diseases
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) is irreversible or partially reversible airflow obstruction, as seen on lung function testing. Patients see a gradual symptom increase over time, compared to defined...
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Access this chapter
Tax calculation will be finalised at checkout
Purchases are for personal use only
References
Aaron SD, Vandemheen KL, Boulet L, McIvor RA, FitzGerald JM, Hernandez P, Lemiere C, Sharma S, Field SK, Alvarez GG, Dales RE, Doucette S, Fergusson D. Overdiagnosis of asthma in obese and nonobese adults. Can Med Assoc J. 2008;179(11):1121–31.
Boulet L. Approach to adults with asthma. In: Adkinson Jr NF, Busse WW, Bochner BS, Holgate ST, Simons FER, Lemanske RF, editors. Middleton’s allergy principles and practice. Philadelphia: Mosby; 2008. p. 1345–65.
Guilbert T, Moss MM, Lemanske RF. Approach to infants and children with asthma. In: Adkinson Jr NF, Busse WW, Bochner BS, Holgate ST, Simons FER, Lemanske RF, editors. Middleton’s allergy principles and practice. Philadelphia: Mosby; 2008. p. 1319–43.
Kaplan AG, Balter MS, Bell AD, Kim H, McIvor A. Diagnosis of asthma in adults. Can Med Assoc J. 2009;181(10):E210–20.
Liu AH, Covar RA, Spahn JD, Leung DYM. Childhood asthma. In: Geme J, Schor N, Behrman RE, Kleigman RM, St. Stanton BMD, editors. Nelson’s textbook of pediatrics. Philadelphia: Saunders; 2011. p. 780–800.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Editor information
Editors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
Copyright information
© 2014 Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg
About this entry
Cite this entry
Carel, K.D. (2014). Diseases in DDx of Asthma: Differential Diagnosis of Asthma. In: Mackay, I.R., Rose, N.R., Ledford, D.K., Lockey, R.F. (eds) Encyclopedia of Medical Immunology. Springer, New York, NY. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_492
Download citation
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4614-9194-1_492
Published:
Publisher Name: Springer, New York, NY
Print ISBN: 978-1-4614-9193-4
Online ISBN: 978-1-4614-9194-1
eBook Packages: MedicineReference Module Medicine