哮喘(喘息)是呼吸道阻塞或狭窄所致的呼吸困难,常伴有哮呜音。一般把哮喘或喘息型支气管炎看成是支气管对于各种刺激的反应性增加的疾病。这种反应性增加与神经调节功能障碍、变态反应及内源性化学物质的产生和释放有密切联系,反应性增加的结果造成可逆性或进行性的气道狭窄。近年来,对哮喘的发病机理有了新的认识,从而使平喘药物有新的发现与进展。 Asthma (wheezing) is a result of respiratory obstruction or stenosis caused by breathing difficulties, often accompanied by asthma sounds. Asthma or wheeze type bronchitis is generally regarded as a disease in which the bronchial tube responds to various stimuli. This increased reactivity is associated with neuromodulating dysfunction, allergic reactions, and the production and release of endogenous chemicals, and as a result of increased reactivity, reversible or progressive airway stenosis results. In recent years, the pathogenesis of asthma have a new understanding, so that anti-asthma drugs have new discoveries and advances.