What is asthma?
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Dr. Mehmet Oz answered:Asthma literally means "panting" (in Greek), and people with this condition have trouble breathing because the airflow in and out of their lungs has been restricted due to inflammation. Asthma is the most common chronic illness, affecting about 20 million Americans, including 9 million children. If you have asthma, the most important thing for you to know is: asthma is manageable; through a treatment plan developed by you and your doctor that includes positive lifestyle change, you can manage your asthma, recover your health, and get your life on a better track.Asthma literally means "panting" (in Greek), and people with this condition have trouble breathing because the airflow in and out of their lungs has been restricted due to inflammation. Asthma is the most common chronic illness, affecting... More -
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways - or bronchi - to narrow, limiting the movement of air into the lungs. Someone with asthma can cough (often at night), wheeze, and have trouble breathing. Inhaled allergens or cigarette smoke can cause an attack, as can exercise or stress. An asthma attack ends when the bronchi relax naturally or when medications such as anti-inflammatory drugs and bronchodilators help to reduce swelling and widen the airways.
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes the airways - or bronchi - to narrow, limiting the movement of air into the lungs. Someone with asthma can cough (often at night), wheeze, and have trouble breathing. Inhaled allergens or cigarette smoke can... More -
Johns Hopkins Medicine answered:Asthma is a condition caused by inflammation (mucus and swelling) of the airways that may lead to wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing. When asthma symptoms become suddenly worse, the episode is called an asthma attack or a flare-up, during which the inflamed airways become more swollen and narrow, making breathing difficult.
Asthma is a condition caused by inflammation (mucus and swelling) of the airways that may lead to wheezing, coughing and difficulty breathing. When asthma symptoms become suddenly worse, the episode is called an asthma attack or a flare-up, during... More -
NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital answered:Asthma is a long-term disease that is characterized by narrowing, inflammation, and hyper-responsiveness of the airways (the tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs). When the airways become inflamed, they become swollen and sensitive, meaning that they may react strongly when certain things are breathed in (such as cigarette smoke, dust, or pet dander). The muscles around the airways tighten in response to the inflammation, causing the airways to have less space in them. In addition, the airways have more mucus than normal because they are inflamed, and this too can narrow the airways.
Asthma is a long-term disease that is characterized by narrowing, inflammation, and hyper-responsiveness of the airways (the tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs). When the airways become inflamed, they become swollen and sensitive,... More -
American Red Cross answered:Asthma is inflammation of the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs.Asthma is inflammation of the air passages that results in a temporary narrowing of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs. More -
Asthma is marked by episodes of acute wheezing with shortness of breath, variable cough, and reversible airflow obstruction. In patients with asthma, some irritant causes the muscles of the bronchial tubes to spasm and narrow, and there is a noted increase in the production of mucus. When these occur, the asthma patient experiences shortness of breath, coughing, and wheezing. Asthma is almost always a medically-treatable or medically-controllable disease.Asthma is marked by episodes of acute wheezing with shortness of breath, variable cough, and reversible airflow obstruction. In patients with asthma, some irritant causes the muscles of the bronchial tubes to spasm and narrow, and there is a... More -
Piedmont Heart Institute answered:Asthma is a chronic disease in which the bronchial airways in the lungs become narrowed and swollen, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing. An attack may be brought on by pet hair, dust, smoke, pollen, mold, exercise, cold air, or stress.
This answer is based on source information from National Cancer Institute.
Asthma is a chronic disease in which the bronchial airways in the lungs become narrowed and swollen, making it difficult to breathe. Symptoms include wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath, and rapid breathing. An attack may... More -
Healthwise answered:Asthma is a long-term (chronic) disease of the respiratory system that causes inflammation and spasm or tightening in the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs. The inflammation causes periodic episodes of difficulty breathing, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing.
Although asthma cannot be cured, most people can control their asthma by following a plan, avoiding triggers, and taking medicine.
Asthma often begins during childhood and may last throughout a person's life.
The cause of asthma is not clearly known. It is more common in people who also have allergies.
Asthma is a long-term (chronic) disease of the respiratory system that causes inflammation and spasm or tightening in the bronchial tubes, which carry air to the lungs. The inflammation causes periodic episodes of difficulty breathing, wheezing,... More -
Dr. Jacob Teitelbaum answered:Asthma reflects spasm and inflammation of the pipes carrying air in and out of your lungs, and it is becoming more common. This is no surprise, given the increase in allergens (including homes and offices with mold), nutritional deficiencies, and chemicals in our environment.
20 million Americans (1 in 15) suffer with asthma, with 1/2 of these having allergic triggers, and the prevalence has been growing over the last few decades. It kills over 4,000 Americans yearly and causes over 500,000 hospitalizations. If these patients were given IV magnesium (up to 1 gm/hr for 6-12 gms a day) and vitamin B6 (100 mg/day), many of these deaths could be avoided and hospital stays prevented or shortened.
Asthma has a genetic component. If only one parent has asthma, chances are 1 in 3 that each child will have asthma. If both parents have asthma, it is much more likely (7 in 10) that their children will have asthma.
Symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, cough, wheezing, and/or chest tightness.
Triggers that can bring on asthma attack include allergens, infections, exercise, abrupt changes in the weather, and exposure to irritants (e.g., tobacco smoke).
Asthma reflects spasm and inflammation of the pipes carrying air in and out of your lungs, and it is becoming more common. This is no surprise, given the increase in allergens (including homes and offices with mold), nutritional deficiencies, and... More -
RealAge answered:Asthma is a respiratory disease where the small vessels in the lungs are constricted, making breathing difficult and sometimes impossible.The cause of asthma is not known, but there is evidence that many factors, including both genetic and environmental factors, play a part. Like allergies, asthma tends to run in families.
From Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children by Jennifer Trachtenberg.
Find out more about this book: Good Kids, Bad Habits: The RealAge Guide to Raising Healthy Children
Asthma is a respiratory disease where the small vessels in the lungs are constricted, making breathing difficult and sometimes impossible.The cause of asthma is not known, but there is evidence that many factors, including both genetic and... More -
Dr. Michael T Murray answered:Asthma is an allergic disorder characterized by spasms of the bronchi (the airway tubes), swelling of the mucous lining of the lungs, and excessive production of thick, viscous mucus. The major concern with asthma is that it can lead to respiratory failure - the inability to breathe.
Asthma is an allergic disorder characterized by spasms of the bronchi (the airway tubes), swelling of the mucous lining of the lungs, and excessive production of thick, viscous mucus. The major concern with asthma is that it can lead to respiratory... More -
Intermountain Healthcare answered:Asthma is a problem with your breathing tubes. With asthma, these tubes swell or spasm (like a muscle cramp). This makes it hard for you to breathe.
Asthma can come and go, but some people have symptoms every day. Asthma can make it hard for you have a normal, active life. If asthma symptoms are really bad, you could die. That's why you should pay attention to your asthma. You need to know what to look for and what you can do to control asthma.Asthma is a problem with your breathing tubes. With asthma, these tubes swell or spasm (like a muscle cramp). This makes it hard for you to breathe. Asthma can come and go, but some people have symptoms every day. Asthma can make it hard for... More -
Greenville Health System answered:Asthma, one of the most common chronic diseases in the U.S., affects more than 20 million adults and children. It is the most prevalent chronic pediatric disease, affecting six million children -- almost 10 percent of the U.S. pediatric population.
A chronic inflammatory disease of the lower airways characterized by airflow obstruction, asthma is recurrent, reversible and typically reactive to specific triggers. Chronic inflammatory cell infiltration of the airways leads to airway hyper-responsiveness, respiratory symptoms and disease chronicity. Airway remodeling and fibrosis may develop in severe cases.
Although environmental interactions can influence disease phenotype, genetic predisposition to atopy (an immunoglobulin E-mediated response to aeroallergens, particularly house-dust mite, animal dander, cockroach allergen and Alternaria) is a strong predictive factor for asthma development. Viral respiratory infections, such as respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) and the more recently studied rhinovirus, also may play a role in asthma development and are common etiologies for acute asthma exacerbations.The contents of this website are for informational purposes only and are not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Nor does the contents of this website constitute the establishment of a physician patient or therapeutic relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition.
Asthma, one of the most common chronic diseases in the U.S., affects more than 20 million adults and children. It is the most prevalent chronic pediatric disease, affecting six million children -- almost 10 percent of the U.S. pediatric population.... More -
Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs. During an asthma attack, airways become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. Asthma attacks can be mild, moderate, or serious -- and even life threatening.
There’s no cure for asthma. People with asthma can manage their disease with medical care and prevent attacks by avoiding triggers.
(The presence of the CDC logo and CDC content on this page should not be construed to imply endorsement by the U.S. government of any commercial products or services, or to replace the advice of a medical professional. The mark “CDC” is licensed under authority of the PHS.)Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the airways in the lungs. During an asthma attack, airways become inflamed, making it hard to breathe. Asthma attacks can be mild, moderate, or serious -- and even life threatening.There’s no cure for... More
