What is Asthma?
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Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease involving recurrent breathing problems. The characteristics of asthma are three airway problems:
- Obstruction
- Inflammation
- Hyperresponsiveness
What are the symptoms of asthma?
In some cases, the only symptom is a chronic cough, especially at night, or tightness, noisy breathing, or wheezing. Some people think they have recurrent bronchitis, since respiratory infections usually settle in the chest in a person predisposed to asthma. Each individual may experience symptoms differently.
Asthma may resemble other respiratory problems, such as emphysema, bronchitis, and lower respiratory infections. Many people with asthma do not know they have it. Consult your doctor for a diagnosis.
For more information on asthma, visit our health library.