Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease in which airways can become inflamed and narrow, causing episodes of wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath.
What asthma is
Asthma is a long-term condition that affects breathing and the lungs. The airways can become inflamed, swollen, and sensitive. During a flare-up, muscles around the airways tighten and mucus may increase, making it harder for air to move in and out.
Symptoms
Asthma symptoms vary by person and over time. Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath. Symptoms may be mild, severe, occasional, or persistent. Some people notice symptoms mainly at night, with exercise, during respiratory infections, at work, or around specific triggers.
Triggers
A trigger is something that makes asthma symptoms worse. Triggers can include tobacco smoke, air pollution, ozone, particle pollution, mold, dust mites, pet dander, cockroaches, pollen, respiratory infections, exercise, cold air, strong odors, workplace exposures, and some medicines. Different people have different trigger patterns.
Asthma attacks
An asthma attack, also called an exacerbation or flare-up, happens when symptoms suddenly worsen and breathing becomes more difficult. Severe attacks can be life-threatening and need urgent medical attention. Warning signs, rescue medicines, and emergency steps should be discussed with a qualified health professional before an emergency occurs.
Diagnosis and monitoring
Clinicians diagnose asthma using symptoms, health history, physical examination, lung function tests, and response to treatment. Spirometry is a common test that measures how much air a person can exhale and how quickly. Some people also use peak flow monitoring to track changes in breathing over time.
Medicines and action plans
Asthma medicines often fall into two broad groups: quick-relief medicines for symptoms and long-term control medicines that reduce airway inflammation or prevent flare-ups. The right plan depends on the person. An asthma action plan helps people know daily steps, signs of worsening asthma, and when to seek emergency care.
Indoor and outdoor air
Air quality can strongly affect asthma. Indoors, moisture control, mold cleanup, smoke-free spaces, pest control, ventilation, and filtration can reduce some triggers. Outdoors, air quality alerts for ozone, particle pollution, wildfire smoke, pollen, and cold weather can help people plan activity and medication use with their care team.
Why it matters
Asthma matters because it is common, variable, and deeply shaped by environment, medicine access, housing, schools, workplaces, and outdoor air. Good asthma control can reduce missed school and work, emergency visits, sleep disruption, and limits on everyday activity.