Understanding Asthma

Asthma is a chronic lung disease. When you have asthma, the airways that carry air in and out of your lungs become swollen and irritated, which is called inflammation. The muscles around the airways tighten, which is called bronchoconstriction and the airways become hyper-responsive or 'twitchy'. Swelling, irritation, increased mucous production and narrow airways make it difficult to breathe and get enough oxygen throughout the body.

Symptoms such as bronchoconstriction, excess mucous secretion, swelling, inflammation, and hyper-responsiveness of the airways are reversible. However, as asthma becomes more severe structural changes appear in the airway tissues that are not reversible. Asthma cannot be cured but it can be controlled and control is important for preventing irreversible damage to the airways.

What is an asthmatic attack?

When asthma symptoms suddenly become worse than usual, it is called an asthma attack. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that vital organs do not get enough oxygen and unless treated severe asthma attacks can lead to death.