Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Asthma causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning.

Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts in childhood. In the United States, more than 22 million people are known to have asthma. Nearly 6 million of these people are children. (from NIH: National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute)

Asthma can’t be cured but there are many effective treatments available to help control the disease. There are two types of medicines for asthma: those that provide long-term relief from symptoms and those that provide quick relief if you have an asthma attack. Your initial treatment will depend on how severe your asthma is—intermittent, mild, moderate, or severe.

If you have asthma, it is important to be aware of things that make your symptoms worse, such as dust, pollen, and cigarette smoke.
For more information on asthma, check out What Is Asthma? from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute

Here are some other useful resources for asthma information:

Asthma Facts Asthma Facts from the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology

Asthma from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention

Asthma from the Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research