reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS)

Irritant-induced asthma. Etiology: - acute, accidental inhalation of smoke or toxic levels of chemical irritants a) chlorine b) hydrochloric acid c) ammonia Clinical manifestations: - after initial exposure, patients develop hyper-reactive airways & chronic asthma - cough & wheezing may begin within hours of exposure Special laboratory: - pulmonary function testing with methacholine challenge

General

syndrome asthma

References

Medical Knowledge Self Assessment Program (MKSAP) 11, American College of Physicians, Philadelphia 1998