Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Asthma can be mild or severe, and it can come and go.

People with asthma often have triggers that can make their symptoms worse, such as dust mites, pollens, pets, cold air, exercise, smoke, and strong emotions.

In people with asthma, the airways are inflamed. They can become even more swollen and narrow when something “triggers” an asthma attack. This may be exercise, cold air, smoke, or pollen.

When the airways swell, the muscles around them tighten. This makes it hard to breathe. Asthma attacks can be very frightening. The good news is that there are many things you can do to prevent attacks and manage your asthma.

There are two types of medications that people with asthma use: long-term control and quick-relief. Long-term control medications are taken every day, even when you feel fine, to prevent asthma attacks. Quick-relief medications are used to relieve symptoms during an asthma attack.

There is no cure for asthma, but its symptoms can be controlled with medication and by avoiding triggers