The Visualization of Asthma Through Imaging

In this paper readers will be able to know some different aspects of asthma related with the imaging field. Some of the aspects that will be investigated on this pathology are the symptoms that it produces, the imaging modalities that are the most effective in diagnosing this condition, and the visualization of asthma in medical images. This topic will be developed using different educational web pages as a reference; with the purpose of providing more complete and specific information. Moreover, this document aims to promote and inform factors that are important to keep in mind about asthma when performing a radiological exam.The Visualization of Asthma Through Imaging

History

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung condition that affects the upper respiratory tract. This pathology has a long history of evolution, before it was categorically defined. According to Cannizzarro (2017), the first recorded case of respiratory distress was found in China in 2600 a. C. and, it was characterized by ‘noisy breathing’. At that time, the conditions that affected and produced the negative effects on breathing were unknown, but people who had respiratory problems were treated with natural plants. The plants were heated on stones and the fumes generated by the plants were inhaled by people with respiratory problems. These techniques helped improve their conditions, but there was no scientific evidence of how plants produced a positive effect on them.

Then in ancient Egyptian times, Georg Ebers data was found containing more than 700 recipes written in hieroglyphics for breathing-related problems (Cannizzarro, 2017). The finding of this information based on natural remedies was very important for medical specialists to develop research on respiratory issues. One of the specialists who developed important research on respiratory distress was Hippocrates. Hippocrates was known as the grandfather of medicine and he was the first to use the term asthma as shortness of breath. This physician mainly focused on discovering the causes of asthma. After conducting several studies, Hippocrates realized that one of the causes was related to environmental factors. Moreover, after his observations and investigations, he classified asthma as a respiratory disease that developed most commonly among people who worked with metal, fishermen and tailors.The Visualization of Asthma Through Imaging