Asthma
Asthma is a disorder that causes the airways of the lungs to swell and narrow, leading to wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.
Symptoms
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
- Chest pain and tightness in chest
- Abnormal breathing pattern
- Rapid pulse
Triggers
- Animals
- Dust
- Tobacco smoke
- Changes in weather (most often cold weather)
- Chemicals in the air or in food
- Exercise
- Mold
- Pollen
- Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
- Stress
Treatment
The goal of treatment is to avoid the substances that trigger your symptoms and control airway inflammation. You and your doctor can work together as a team to develop and carry out a plan for eliminating asthma triggers and monitoring symptoms.
- Inhaled corticosteroids prevent symptoms by helping to keep your airways from swelling up.
- Long-acting beta-agonist inhalers also help prevent asthma symptoms. These drugs are almost always used together with an inhaled steroid drug.