Facts About Asthma

Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. It is among the most common long-term diseases found in children, but adults also suffer from the disease. It involves episodes of wheezing, tightness of the chest, shortness of breath and episodes of uncontrollable coughing. Asthma attacks occur when something irritates the lungs.

Facts About Asthma

• Asthma can be difficult to diagnose, especially in children under 5 years old. Regular checkups that include checking lung function and checking for allergies can help a physician make a proper diagnosis.


• An asthma attack occurs in your body's airways, which is the path that air takes to get to your lungs.


• An asthma attack can occur by being exposed to things in the environment such as tobacco smoke, dust mites in the house or pollen from trees.


• Staying away from common triggers can control asthma to some degree.


• If someone in your family has asthma, you are more likely to have the disease.


• Asthma is not a psychological condition, but emotional stress can cause an attack.


• There is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled in most patients with proper medical care.


• There is a 6% chance of having asthma if neither parent suffers from the condition, a 30% chance if one parent has it and a 70% chance if both parents have it.


• Asthma is not a contagious disease.


• Exercising in dry, cold air can trigger an asthma attack.


• There is no such thing as outgrowing asthma. Once you have it, you will always have it.