Asthma
Asthma affects the lungs, making it difficult to breathe. It is a chronic long-term lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. It can be the cause of chronic nagging cough and it can be intermittent (on & off) or a life-long condition that can affect children or adult.
Symptoms
The most common is wheezing. Other includes shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, chronic coughing and trouble sleeping due to wheezing or coughing.
Diagnosis
Asthma is diagnosed based on history and physical exam with a health care professional. Breathing test to measure how well your lungs works is sometimes needed to diagnose asthma. One of these tests is called spirometry. This test diagnoses asthma severity and measures how well treatment is working.
Treatment
Asthma is treated with medicines that are either inhaled using a special machine (nebulizer) or a portable dispenser (inhaler) or occasionally with oral medications. Taking active role in managing the disease and seeking immediate medical care is very important. By treating the symptoms when you first notice them prevent worsening and causing a severe asthma attack