- 🔬Pathophysiology
- Airway inflammation + bronchial hyperresponsiveness → reversible bronchoconstriction, mucus, and edema.
- 🩺Signs & Symptoms
- Episodic wheeze, cough, chest tightness, dyspnea; worse at night/with triggers; prolonged expiration.
- 🎯Gold Standard Diagnosis
- Spirometry: obstructive pattern (↓ FEV1/FVC) with post-bronchodilator FEV1 or FVC rise ≥12% AND ≥200 mL (adults).
- 💊First-line Treatment
- Inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) is the controller foundation; current guidelines favor as-needed ICS-formoterol (SMART) as the preferred reliever over a SABA alone. Step up controller therapy (add LABA) by symptom control.