Asthma

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease of the airways that can make breathing difficult. If you have asthma, the inside of your airways become inflamed or swollen. This temporarily narrows the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs, resulting in asthma symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Although there are treatments for the symptoms of asthma, it’s still a serious -- even dangerous -- disease that affects more than 20 million Americans and causes about 2 million emergency room visits ever year. Inadequate treatment can limit the ability to exercise and be active. With the proper treatment, you can live well with this condition.

Who is most susceptible to asthma? What factors are associated with having asthma?

Asthma is closely linked to allergies. The majority of people with asthma have allergies. Children with a family history of allergy and asthma are more likely to have asthma themselves.

Although asthma affects people of all ages, it often starts in childhood and is more common in children than adults. More boys have asthma than girls; but in adulthood, more women have asthma than men. Anyone can develop asthma at any time, and adult-onset asthma happens frequently.

Research indicates that Western-developed countries tend to have higher instances of the disease. While the exact causes for this aren’t known, it’s broadly believed that racial characteristics and environmental factors could be a trigger.

Asthma Triggers

People with asthma tend to have sensitive airways that can react to any of all of the following common triggers:

• Infections such as sinusitis, colds, and flu
• Allergens such as pollens, mold spores, pet dander, and dust mites
• Irritants such as strong odors from perfumes or cleaning solutions, and air pollution
• Tobacco smoke
• Exercise, called exercise-induced asthma
• Weather; changes in temperature and/or humidity, cold air
• Strong emotions such as anxiety, laughter or crying, stress
• Some medications

Asthma Symptoms

Asthma can exist in a steady state or as an asthmatic attack, which can vary in severity. Symptoms can vary from person to person and from one asthma attack to the next. People with asthma experience symptoms when the airways tighten, inflame, or fill with mucus. Common symptoms include:

• Coughing, especially at night
• Wheezing, a squeaking sound associated with heavy breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure

It’s important to work with your doctor so you can recognize and treat even mild symptoms to help you prevent severe episodes and keep asthma under better control. 

Treating Asthma

While asthma can’t be cured, it can be controlled, allowing you to live an active life with only minimal and infrequent symptoms. Controlling your asthma means staying away from things that bother your airways and taking medicines as directed by your doctor. If not well controlled, the symptoms of asthma can lead to you missing school or work and keep you from doing the things you enjoy. If you have asthma, you should see your doctor regularly. Learn what causes your symptoms to become worse and how to avoid them. Your doctor may also prescribe medicines to keep your asthma under control.

Asthma is treated with two types of medicines: long-term control and quick-relief medicines. Long-term control medicines help reduce airway inflammation and prevent asthma symptoms. Quick-relief, or "rescue," medicines relieve asthma symptoms that may flare up. Asthma medicines can be taken in pill form, but most are taken using a device called an inhaler that allows the medicine to go right to your lungs. The treatment of your asthma depends on its severity. Your doctor can make adjustments to your asthma medication should your asthma vary over time and with changes to your exposure of its triggers.

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