Asthma
, as defined by the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, is a chronic disease that affects your airways, which are the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways are inflamed or swollen. Once the airways are swollen, they become very sensitive; hence they react more easily to things you may be allergic or find irritating. As the airways react, they get narrower. And as a result less air flows through to your lung tissues. The reduction of air flow causes asthma symptoms like wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. Unfortunately at this time, there is no cure for Asthma. However, there is asthma treatment, and for most patients it can be controlled so that you only have minimal and infrequent symptoms.
Common symptoms of asthma include:
- Coughing: may be worse at night and in the early morning. You may have increased nighttime awakenings due to asthma.
- Wheezing: whistling or squeaky sound when you breathe.
- Chest tightness: you may feel as if something is sitting on your chest.
- Shortness of breath: you may feel out of breath or you can’t get enough air in and our of your lungs.
- Noisy breathing.
- Fast breathing.
If you do have asthma, you should see your doctor regularly so that you can learn what things trigger your symptoms, how to avoid them and what asthma treatment can be prescribed to minimize symptoms.
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This information is provided by the Cleveland Clinic and is not intended to replace the medical advice of your doctor or health care provider. Please consult your health care provider for advice about a specific medical condition.
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