Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung condition. It is characterized by difficulty in breathing. People with asthma have extra sensitive or hyperresponsive airways. The airways react by narrowing or obstructing when they become irritated. This makes it difficult for the air to move in and out. This narrowing or obstruction can cause one or a combination of the following symptoms:

• wheezing
• coughing
• shortness of breath
• chest tightness

This narrowing or obstruction is caused by:

• Airway inflammation (meaning that the airways in the lungs become red, swollen and narrow)
• Bronchoconstriction (meaning that the muscles that encircle the airways tighten or go into spasm)