Breathing Mechanics in Asthma

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Abstract
The mechanics of breathing in 40 asthmatics in their symptomatic or asymptomatic periods were studied. The patients were subdivided into groups according to the causes of their asthma: allergy, infection, or idiopathic including emotional factors. The factors of age and duration of asthma were considered. The forced expiratory volume maximum voluntary ventilation, dynamic compliance, and inspiratory and expiratory mechanical resistance was measured for each patient. Observations that various causes of asthma produce the same physiological disturbance correlates well with the concept that asthma is a disease characterized by an increased responsiveness of the trachea and bronchi to various stimuli.