What is Asthma?

Asthma with symptoms is a disease that affects your lungs. It is one of the most common chronic diseases in children. But adults can also get it.

Asthma can cause wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing at night or in the morning. If you have, the symptoms of asthma will follow, but only when your lungs are damaged.

Asthma can cause the airways to narrow and swell. It can also create extra mucus in the airways. This can make breathing difficult. Causes the patient to cough, short of breath, and whistling when exhaling (wheezing).

Asthma is just a minor annoyance for some people. For others it can be a big problem. Not only does it interfere with daily activities, but it can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks.

There is no cure for asthma. But its symptoms can be controlled. Asthma often changes over time. The patient must cooperate with the doctor. Doctors track the patient’s symptoms and signs and adjust their treatment as needed.

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. Some people may have very few asthma attacks and only experience asthma symptoms at certain times, such as when exercising. Some people may have asthma symptoms all the time.

• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness or chest pain
• Wheezing when exhaling (this is a common sign of asthma in children)
• Difficulty in sleeping
• Getting sicker while having a cold

• More frequent and bothersome asthma signs and symptoms
• Increased difficulty in breathing (this can be detected by a device–Maximum Expiratory Flow Meter used to check how well the lungs are working)
• Need to use quick-relief inhalers more often

1. Exercise-induced asthma, which can be worse when the air is cold and dry.
2. Occupational asthma, triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases or dust.
3. Allergic asthma, triggered by airborne substances such as pollen, mold spores, skin particles shed by cockroaches or pets, and dried saliva.