Published online Mar 16, 2015. doi: 10.12998/wjcc.v3.i3.301
Peer-review started: July 13, 2014
First decision: September 30, 2014
Revised: December 6, 2014
Accepted: December 18, 2014
Article in press: December 19, 2014
Published online: March 16, 2015
Asthma is common in childhood. This respiratory disease is characterized by persistent inflammation of the airways even when the child is not in the throes of an attack. Chronic inflammation is caused by an imbalance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory mechanisms as well as autonomic dysfunction, which plays an important role in the pathogenesis and control of this condition. The impact of these physiopathological aspects leads to inactivity and a sedentary lifestyle, which exerts an influence on functional capacity and control of the disease. The main objective of non-pharmacological therapy is the clinical control of asthma and the minimization of airway obstruction and hyperinflation during an attack. These factors can be controlled with noninvasive ventilation. The aim or the present review was to describe important neural, inflammatory and functional mechanisms that affect children with asthma.
Core tip: The recurring nature of asthma is related to the clinical control of the disease. Neural and inflammatory mechanisms interfere with this clinical control and affect functional capacity. While the magnitude of an asthma attack cannot be controlled, its clinical impact can be minimized with the use of noninvasive ventilation. Moreover, functional capacity and inflammation can be improved with physical exercise.