Asthma and inflammation.

Asthma is a respiratory disease characterized by airway inflammation, airway hyperresponsiveness and variable airflow obstruction that is often reversible. These characteristics lead to symptoms of asthma such as wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough and sputum production. The severity of these symptoms may range from transient to persistent and may be exacerbated by various exposures, such as allergens and environmental pollutants. It is estimated that asthma affects 300 million people globally (GINA Executive Committee) and accounts for 1 in every 250 deaths, many of which are preventable. Asthma is responsible for 1% of disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) worldwide, which is equivalent to…