ICD-11

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the airways in which many cells and cellular elements play a role. It is characterised by an increased responsiveness of the trachea and bronchi to various stimuli and manifested by a widespread narrowing of the airways that change in severity either spontaneously or as a result of therapy. This leads to recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, particularly at night or in the early morning.

This refers to an unspecified inflammatory disease of the airways characterised by variable and recurring symptoms, reversible airflow obstruction, and bronchospasm, with an acute exacerbation of asthma that does not respond to standard treatments of inhalative bronchodilators and steroids.