Everything You Need to Know About Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that often makes it difficult—and, in some cases, impossible—to breathe. If you’re often short of breath, you’re not alone: According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), nearly 25 million Americans suffer from asthma to some degree.

While most cases of asthma are relatively mild and easy to treat, extreme cases can be life-threatening and often require specialized or emergency treatment. Whether extreme or mild, however, asthma is such a nuisance that it begs the question: Just what is asthma, what is an asthma attack, and is asthma curable?

In most cases, asthma causes difficulty breathing by constricting airways through swelling and extra mucous production. Since a lot of things can cause extra swelling and mucous production in your airways, a lot of things can also cause asthma or trigger an “asthma attack.” As a result, common asthma triggers include many common irritants and allergens such as dust, pollen, pet dander, and even air pollution and toxic fumes.

Lifestyle choices such as smoking, drinking, and even strenuous exercise can also trigger or worsen asthma. Regardless of the trigger, however, asthma attacks are usually marked by difficulty breathing accompanied by coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and similar symptoms. In extraordinary cases, these symptoms can be so extreme that breathing becomes impossible, which can lead to death.

Thankfully, though incurable, even extreme cases are treatable. Most asthma sufferers find relief using quick-relief inhalers, prescribed medications, and certain lifestyle changes. For more information on asthma and how to treat asthma symptoms, check out the infographic below!