Asthma
Also called: bronchial asthma
A condition in which a person's airways become inflamed, narrow and swell, and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe.
- Treatable by a medical professional
- Requires a medical diagnosis
- Lab tests or imaging often required
- Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Asthma can be minor or it can interfere with daily activities. In some cases, it may lead to a life-threatening attack.
Asthma may cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough, and wheezing. The symptoms may sometimes flare-up.
Asthma can usually be managed with rescue inhalers to treat symptoms (albuterol) and controller inhalers that prevent symptoms (steroids). Severe cases may require longer-acting inhalers that keep the airways open (formoterol, salmeterol, tiotropium), as well as oral steroids.
Very common: More than 3 million US cases per year
Consult a doctor for medical advice
Sources: Mayo Clinic and others. Learn more
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