Overview
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. In asthma, the airways can become inflamed, sensitive, and narrowed, which can reduce airflow and make breathing harder. Symptoms often vary over time and may worsen during an asthma attack or flare-up.
Key Symptoms
Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and a feeling of tightness in the chest. Some people notice symptoms mainly at night, early in the morning, during exercise, or after exposure to triggers such as smoke or pollen. Cough may be the main symptom in some children and adults.
Causes and Risk Factors
Asthma is linked to a combination of genetic and environmental factors. Triggers and risk factors can include allergies, tobacco smoke, air pollution, respiratory infections, workplace irritants, family history of asthma, and obesity. Not everyone has the same triggers, and identifying personal triggers is often an important part of care.
Who Is Affected
Asthma can affect people of all ages, including young children and older adults. It often begins in childhood, but it can also start in adulthood. People with allergies or a family history of asthma may be more likely to develop it.
Prevention
Asthma cannot always be prevented, but flare-ups can often be reduced. Avoiding tobacco smoke, reducing exposure to known triggers, improving indoor air quality, and managing allergies may help. Vaccination against respiratory infections may also lower the chance of some asthma flare-ups.
Diagnosis and Tests
A healthcare professional usually diagnoses asthma based on symptoms, medical history, physical examination, and breathing tests. Tests may include spirometry or other lung function testing to see how well air moves in and out of the lungs. In some cases, allergy evaluation or other tests may help identify triggers or rule out other conditions.
Treatment Categories
Asthma treatment often includes long-term control medicines to reduce airway inflammation and quick-relief medicines used during symptom flare-ups. Treatment plans are individualized and may change over time depending on symptom control and trigger exposure. A written asthma action plan can help people know what to do when symptoms worsen.
Living With It
Many people with asthma can work, study, exercise, and sleep well when the condition is managed. Keeping track of symptoms, avoiding triggers, using medicines as directed by a clinician, and attending follow-up visits can help. Children may need support at school so teachers and caregivers understand their asthma plan.
When to Seek Medical Care
Seek medical care if asthma symptoms are happening more often, waking you from sleep, limiting normal activities, or not improving as expected. It is also important to get checked if you are needing quick-relief medicine more often than usual or if you are unsure what is triggering symptoms. New breathing symptoms should also be assessed, especially if asthma has not been diagnosed before.
When It May Be an Emergency
Emergency care may be needed if breathing becomes very difficult, lips or face look bluish, speaking is hard because of breathlessness, or symptoms are rapidly worsening. Severe chest tightness, fast breathing, drowsiness, or little improvement after using prescribed rescue treatment are also warning signs. If severe symptoms are present, seek urgent medical help right away.