Guide To The Most Common Respiratory Illnesses

Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition. It causes airways to swell and narrow. Asthma patients may cough, have difficulty breathing, experience a whistling sound when they breathe, and deal with general shortness of breath. Asthma attacks may involve the production of excess mucus. Some cases may be relatively minor and easily treated. On the other hand, some individuals have asthma that is severe enough to interfere with their day-to-day life. Asthma attacks can be life-threatening if patients do not have a rescue inhaler or access to immediate medical attention. 

There is no cure for asthma. However, patients can control their symptoms. Asthma often changes as time goes on. Thus, patients need to stay in frequent contact with their doctors and adjust their treatment as their symptoms change. Some types of asthma flare when exposed to certain conditions. With exercise-induced asthma, individuals may have asthma attacks when they work out or when the air is dry and cold. Chemical irritants and substances in an individual's workplace can trigger occupational asthma.