Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways, which are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. Inflammation makes the airways sensitive and they tend to react strongly to things to which you are allergic or finding irritating. The airways react by getting narrower. This causes less air flow through the lung tissues, with symptoms like wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and/or trouble breathing. Asthma makes it difficult to breathe because it can cause inflammation in your bronchial tubes which carry the air to the lungs.

Asthma often starts in childhood or in the teen years. It is more common in children than adults. Asthma may run in families. Asthma tends to be more common in people who have allergies, though not all those with allergies get asthma. The allergens may be dust mites or animal dander.

Asthma can be controlled so that you have symptoms infrequently and you can live an active life. Symptoms of asthma may be mild or severe and include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, difficulty sleeping or tiring quickly during exercise.

What can I do to control my asthma?
• Stay away from things that bother your airways (often called triggers) such as allergens like dust mites and cigarette smoke, or exposure to irritants.
• Take your medications as you have been directed by your doctor. Medications usually include inhaled corticosteroids, which prevent or control the inflammation, and beta2 agonists, which make the airways larger.
• See your doctor regularly.
• Make an asthma action plan to help you control inflammation and prevent episodes, identify and treat early, avoid those things that make your symptoms worse, and know when emergency help is needed.