What is Asthma

Asthma: Asthma is a chronic lung condition with ongoing airway inflammation that results in recurring acute episodes (attacks) of breathing problems such as ... more about Asthma.
Asthma: Repeated attacks of breathing difficulty. More detailed information about the symptoms, causes, and treatments of Asthma is available below.

Symptoms of an asthma attack:
-Coughing
-Wheezing
-Shortness of breath
-Chest tightness
-Rapid breathing
-Shallow breathing
-Itchy throat
-Sore throat
-Drop in peak flow rate
-Rapid pulse
-Difficulty speaking
-Cyanosis
-Breathing difficulty
-Shortness of breath after exertion
-Persistent cough
-Cough worse at night
-Poor stamina

Note that Asthma symptoms usually refers to various symptoms known to a patient, but the phrase Asthma signs may refer to those signs only noticable by a doctor.

Cope with Asthma

Asthma causes swelling and inflamation in the airways that lead to your lungs. When asthma flares up, the airways tighten and become narrower. This keeps the air from passing through easily and makes it hard for you to breathe. These flare ups are also called asthma attacks or exacerbations.
Asthma affects people in different ways. Some people only have asthma attacks during allergy season, or when they breathe in cold air, or when they exercise. Others have many bad attacks that send them to the doctor often.

Even if you have few asthma attacks, you still need to treat your asthma. If the swelling and inflammation in your airways aren't controlled, asthma could lead to permanent changes in your airways and harm your lungs.

Many people with asthma live active, full lives. Even though asthma is a lifelong disease, treatment can control it and keep your lungs healthy.

Experts do not know exactly what causes asthma. But there are some things we do know:

-Asthma runs in families.
-Asthma is much more common in people with allergies, though not everyone with
allergies gets asthma.
-Pollution may cause asthma or make it worse.