What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) disease of the airways in the lungs. It can’t be spread to others, and it has nothing to do with how you were raised or your relationships. Asthma is often hereditary, meaning it is passed through families. Sometimes, more than one person in the same family has asthma.Understanding how your lungs work will help you understand more about asthma.

When You Have Asthma?

NORMAL

When asthma is under control, the linings of the airways (bronchial tubes) are smooth, clear, and air fl ows easily in and out.

INFLAMED AIRWAYS
With asthma, your airways are super sensitive. When asthma is not controlled, the airways become infl amed and swollen. The airways then are made smaller, but air can still fl ow. When this happens, you may have a cough, chest tightness, wheezing,shortness of breath, or you may feel tired.
DURING AN ATTACK
During an attack, the airways swell up even more and make extra mucus (phlegm). Also,the muscles around the airways become tight, and air gets trapped in the alveoli (the small sacs at the end of the bronchial tubes).All of this makes it very hard for air to pass through your airways and can even block them. You may wheeze, cough, and have trouble breathing.