Asthma Facts and Symptoms
Asthma Facts
- Asthma is a condition that affects more than 25 million people worldwide.
- Uncontrolled asthma can limit your life.
- Asthma affects more boys than girls in early childhood. But, it’s more common in adolescent and adult 1 women than men.
- Asthma is one of the many respiratory conditions that cause breathing problems.
Get answers to your frequently asked asthma questions here.
Understanding Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition 2 that affects your airways and lungs. Your airways are small tubes that allow air to flow in and out of your lungs. And your respiratory system is responsible for your ability to breathe.
Having asthma makes your airways extremely sensitive or overly responsive to different triggers. Your triggers aggravate your asthma symptoms and, in some cases, bring on an asthma attack.
- Coughing (with or without phlegm)
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
What Is a Trigger?
Asthma triggers are substances or events that increase or worsen your asthma symptoms. They cause your airways to narrow, swell, and become filled with mucus. They also cause a noticeable change in your breathing. You may start to cough, wheeze, or experience other asthma symptoms.
There are many asthma triggers. You should know what your specific asthma triggers are so that you can avoid them. Your healthcare provider will help you determine which of these triggers your asthma.