Thread: What is Asthma?

Asthma is a condition in which the lungs and airways are inflamed and swollen, making breathing difficult. It is a chronic, long-term, lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. It causes recurring periods of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning.

The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed airways. This makes the airways swollen and very sensitive. They tend to react strongly to certain substances that are breathed in.

When the airways react, the muscles around them tighten. This causes the airways to narrow, and less air flows to your lungs. The swelling also can worsen, making the airways even narrower. Cells in the airways may make more mucus than normal. Mucus is a sticky, thick liquid that can further narrow your airways.

This chain reaction can result in asthma symptoms. Symptoms can happen each time the airways are irritated.

Sometimes symptoms are mild and go away on their own or after minimal treatment with an asthma medicine. At other times, symptoms continue to get worse. When symptoms get more intense and/or additional symptoms appear, this is an asthma attack. Asthma attacks also are called flareups or exacerbations.

It's important to treat symptoms when you first notice them. This will help prevent the symptoms from worsening and causing a severe asthma attack. Severe asthma attacks may require emergency care, and they can cause death.

I know a couple of people with asthma and some members of my family have it too. Is it hereditary? How can you get asthma?

Oh good.. I was just wondering if asthmas are just hereditary.. Thanks for the info mikaela. But it's hard to determine though if a person is having an asthma attack or palpitation right? A friend of mine though she was having an asthma attack but her doctor said it was just palpitation that's why she couldn't breathe.

You can outgrow asthma right? I was told I had asthma when I was little but I don't even remember having it. I no longer show any symptoms..

Hi..!!
Asthma is affecting the airways that carry air to and from your lungs. People who suffer from this chronic condition (long-lasting or recurrent) are said to be asthmatic.

Really? That's scary. My parents told me I had it when I was little but I really don't remember taking any medication for it. I guess I should be ready because it scares me that it can cause death