reactive airway dysfunction syndrome (RADS)

Introduction

Irritant-induced asthma.

Etiology

• acute, accidental inhalation of smoke or toxic levels of chemical irritants
  • chlorine
  • hydrochloric acid
  • ammonia

Clinical manifestations

• after initial exposure, patients develop hyper-reactive airways & chronic asthma
• cough & wheezing may begin within hours of exposure

Diagnostic procedures

• pulmonary function testing with methacholine challenge

More general terms

• syndrome
• asthma

Additional terms

• provocation inhalation challenge test; methacholine challenge test