Asthma

Asthma is a disease of the lung airways. With asthma, the airways are inflamed (swollen) and react easily to certain triggers, such as viruses, smoke, or pollen. When the inflamed airways react, they get narrow and make breathing difficult.

Symptoms
Common asthma symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. When these symptoms get worse, it’s an asthma attack.

Asthma symptoms may come and go, but the asthma is always there. Asthma is a chronic disease. It can be controlled with proper, long-term treatment, but it cannot be cured.

Treatment
Doctors can often recommend ways for patients to avoid asthma attacks, such as

• Staying away from your triggers or controlling them.
• Taking medicine that opens your airways.
• Getting treatment for the inflammation.

Treating inflammation is very important in the control of moderate to severe asthma. Your doctor may prescribe the daily use of such medicines as cromolyn sodium or inhaled steroids. Both of these medicines are safe to take.

A basic strategy for controlling asthma includes the following steps.

• Learn your asthma symptom triggers and plan to avoid or control them.
• Respond quickly to warning signs of an asthma episode.
• Make two treatment plans with your doctor: one for daily treatment and one for emergencies.

Last Updated: December 03, 2007