Asthma

•Asthma is a chronic lung disease that obstructs airflow

•The obstruction is reversible

•It involves difficulty in breathing due to

–Inflammation (swelling)

–Mucus in the airways

–Tightening of muscles around the airways

•Coughing

•Wheezing, a whistling sound

•Shortness of breath

•Chest tightness

•Sneezing & runny nose

•Itchy and inflamed eyes

•Parents with asthma

•Atopy

•Childhood respiratory infections

•Exposure to allergens or infections while the immune system is developing

•A variety of things can cause asthma symptoms to appear:

–Allergens

–Irritants

–Food and drinks

–Medicines

–Physical activity

–Upper respiratory infections (viral)

•Asthma classifications vary. There are a number of approaches to classifying asthma. Asthma classifications may be made according to one of more of the following methods - asthma severity, type of asthma (underlying cause) or by degree of control.

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