Asthma

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What is it?


Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways to swell, narrow, and produce extra mucus. Asthma can range from minor irritation to life-altering or life-threatening. There is no cure for asthma, but there are ways to manage it.

Some people may only exhibit signs and symptoms of asthma in certain situations such as:

  • Exercise–induced asthma may be worse when exercising outdoors or in cold or dry conditions.
  • Occupational asthma is triggered by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes, gases, or dust.
  • Allergy–induced asthma is triggered by airborne substances, such as pollen, mold spores, cockroach waste, or particles of skin and/or dried saliva shed by pets.

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Signs and symptoms of asthma can vary depending on the patient. A single patient’s signs and symptoms may also change over time. Signs and symptoms include:

  • shortness of breath
  • chest tightness or pain
  • trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing
  • a whistling or wheezing sound when exhaling
  • coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus

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Certain factors increase a patient’s risk of developing asthma, including:

  • a family history of asthma
  • having other allergic conditions such as dermatitis or hay fever
  • being overweight
  • being a smoker
  • exposure to secondhand smoke
  • exposure to environmental pollution
  • exposure to occupational triggers such as chemicals used in farming, hairdressing, and manufacturing
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