Asthma is a chronic disease. With asthma, breathing is sometimes
difficult due to these changes in the lungs: - Swelling of the
lining in the airways - Tightening of the muscles around the
airways (a spasm) - Extra mucus in the airways Asthma is not
contagious. It is a lifelong disease which can be controlled
with daily medications. Although asthma is a chronic disease,
anyone with asthma can have an acute (sudden) attack of
symptoms.