Asthma is a chronic lung condition in which airways in the lungs become narrowed or even blocked because of inflammation.  This prevents you from being able to breath normally.  Asthma is often referred to as an “attack” in which a patient has a sudden shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness, and/or coughing.  An attack may occur infrequently, or even several times a day in patients with severe asthma.  However, asthma is a manageable medical condition.

What causes asthma?
In many cases, the cause of asthma is unclear.  For some patients, asthma is caused by an allergic reaction to things such as dust, pollen, mold, smoke, chemicals, animal hair, and certain foods. Exposure to irritants such as secondhand smoke and air pollution on a long-term basis can increase the risk of developing asthma. For others, asthma can be linked to emotions (like anxiety, stress or laughter), exercise, or an infection (like the common cold).  Heartburn is also known to cause asthma attacks in some people.  

How frequently does asthma occur?
About 15 million people in the United States have asthma.  Almost one-half of these cases develop before ten years of age and another third of asthma cases occur before age 40.  African-Americans and Hispanics are more likely to have asthma than Caucasians.  More than 70% of people with asthma also suffer from allergies.

What can asthma do to my body?
If treated appropriately, asthma can cause very little to no damage to the body.  If not controlled, however, permanent lung damage may occur.  In children with untreated asthma, the lungs may never fully develop and, thus, function poorly.  In severe cases, uncontrolled asthma (regardless of your age) could cause death.  About 80% to 90% of deaths related to asthma could have been prevented through better management of the disease.  Do not let this happen to you or one of your loved ones.

What are the symptoms of asthma?
Common symptoms of asthma include: 

•    Shortness of breath
•    Wheezing
•    Chest pains
•    Coughing
•    Poor tolerance for exercise
•    Excess mucus production
•    Rapid breathing
•    Rapid heart rate
•    Trouble sleeping
•    Chest tightness
•    Exhaustion/extreme fatigue
•    Intolerance to the smell of chemicals

Asthma attacks often begin with shortness of breath and wheezing, especially when breathing out.  As the attack continues, wheezing typically becomes stronger and occurs while breathing in and out.  In severe cases, the attack may get so bad that wheezing disappears and you cannot breathe.  This situation is a medical emergency and immediate medical attention is required.

How is asthma diagnosed?
If you are experiencing any of the symptoms listed above, see to your doctor.  You doctor will ask you about your symptoms, when they occur and your family medical history.  Lung function tests can be performed to verify that you have asthma.  Spirometry is one such test.  This test has you take deep breaths into a hose.  This will tell your doctor how much air you can inhale and exhale.  If your measurements are below what is normal for your age, it may be a sign you have asthma.  Your doctor may perform other medical tests to rule out similar medical conditions.