Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition in which airways become narrow and inflamed in response to a trigger. It can cause symptoms such as excess mucus, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Asthma can be mild or serious, and its intensity can fluctuate over time depending on environmental factors. There is currently no cure, but treatments can help to manage symptoms. It's important to work with a healthcare practitioner to monitor and adjust treatment as necessary.

Commonly Asked Questions

When can you develop asthma?

You can develop asthma at any age, although for most people this happens during childhood. Allergies and tobacco exposure can lead to asthma developing later in life.

Inhalers are the main treatment for asthma. They generally fall into two categories: preventers and relievers. Preventive inhalers are often corticosteroids, and they work to prevent symptoms and asthma attacks in the long term. Relievers (also sometimes called rescue medications) alleviate symptoms right away.

There is no cure for asthma. However, there are many treatments available that can help you to effectively manage symptoms so that your asthma doesn’t negatively affect your life too much.

During an asthma attack, you'll likely experience a worsening of your usual asthma symptoms (including coughing and chest tightness), breathing that is faster than normal, gasping for air, wheezing, and an inability to talk, eat, or perform other everyday activities.

Asthma has numerous symptoms but some of the more prevalent symptoms are wheezing, cough, breathlessness, and a tight chest.

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Resources
  1. Asthma. Mayo Clinic. May 2024.

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