Article: Asthma; Key Q&A.(Disease/Disorder overview)

What is asthma?

Asthma is a lung condition that makes the primary airways-known as the bronchi-in the lungs swollen and inflamed. People who have asthma are more sensitive than other people to things in the environment, known as triggers. These triggers make the muscles in an asthma sufferer's lungs tighten or constrict making the air passages narrow and breathing difficult. In addition, cells in the lungs produce more mucus in response to a trigger. The mucus clogs up the bronchial tubes, which contributes to breathing problems. When the lungs react to a trigger, what's known as an "asthma attack" occurs. Wheezing, coughing and/or tightness in the chest and ...

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