The airway hyperreactivity (AHR) is a symptom occurring in various diseases of the respiratory system. It is defined as an abnormal bronchoconstriction response to a different spectrum of biological, chemical and pharmacological stimuli. Pathogenesis of airway hyperreactivity is not well understood. The available literature data shows that in the AHR pathogenesis is important not only genetic predisposition or influence of combination environmental and genetic factors, but also the presence and activity of various inflammatory mediators and other endogenous factors (growth factors, nuclear transcription factors). In this process is also important role of neural regulation and release of pro-inflammatory neurotransmitters. Our aim was to provide a comprehensive overview of knowledge about the symptoms--from the risk factors and pathogenesis through the clinical importance to the need for better understanding new options in therapeutic interventions.

Univerzita Komenského v Bratislave Jesseniova lekárska fakulta v Martine a Univerzitná nemocnica Martin Klinika pneumológie a ftizeológie Martin Slovenská republika