Asthma is a condition that can cause wheezing, chest pain, coughing and other symptoms related to difficulty breathing. Asthma is a result of an immune response to certain things in the air. Chest pain can be relieved temporarily by using a bronchodilator, such as albuterol. Long-term treatment and management requires reduction of trigger exposure and regular use of other types of medications to slow down the immune system.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a condition in which the airways become constricted and inflamed and may also become coated with mucus. This usually happens as a result of being exposed to certain things in the environment, also known as triggers.
How Asthma Happens
When the airways in the respiratory system are exposed to certain things in the air, it triggers the immune system. This causes the airways to swell, which makes the area for air passage smaller, making it harder to breathe.
Asthma Symptoms
Because of the increased difficulty in breathing, people experiencing asthma may feel a sense of tightness in their chest which may become painful. Asthma can also cause wheezing and sudden, uncontrollable coughing as the lungs become irritated.
