What is Asthma? (Definition)
Asthma is a chronic condition involving the narrowing and swelling of airways of the lungs. These airways, or bronchial tubes, allow air to come in and out of the lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed airways. This condition can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. These episodes may occur a few times a day or a few times per week. Depending on the person they may become worse at night or with exercise.
According to The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood. In the United States, more than 25 million people are known to have asthma. About 7 million of these people are children.
The exact cause of asthma isn’t known. Researchers think some genetic and environmental factors interact to cause asthma, most often early in life. These factors include:
- An inherited tendency to develop allergies, called atopy (AT-o-pe)
- Parents who have asthma
- Certain respiratory infections during childhood
- Contact with some airborne allergens or exposure to some viral infections in infancy or in early childhood when the immune system is developing
For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.
Asthma can’t be cured, but thankfully its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it’s important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.
Symptoms and Signs of Asthma
Sometimes asthma symptoms are mild and go away on their own or after minimal treatment with asthma medicine. Other times, symptoms continue to get worse. Asthma symptoms vary from person to person. You may have infrequent asthma attacks, have symptoms only at certain times, or have symptoms all the time.
Asthma 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 (wheezing is a common sign of asthma in children)
- Coughing or wheezing attacks that are worsened by a respiratory virus, such as a cold or the flu
If you or your child are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s important to get checked by your doctor or healthcare professional to identify the specific cause and get treatment if necessary.
See below for updated news and information regarding Asthma including new medical research, treatments and advancements.
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