There are currently over 17 million adults and 7 million children in the U.S. who suffer from asthma, and the disease has been identified as one of the country’s most common and costly illnesses. Asthma is a chronic pulmonary condition in which the airways become blocked or narrowed when stimulated by allergens or other environmental triggers. Patients with asthma often experience difficulty breathing, wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
During an asthma attack, the lung passages constrict, making breathing more difficult. Asthma is frequently misdiagnosed and causes more hospital admissions, more visits to the emergency room, and more work and school absences than any other chronic disease.
 The symptoms of asthma vary among people, but may include:
- Wheezing
- Tightness in chest
- Shortness of Breath
- Persistent cough, especially at night
- Difficulty breathing during the day, or soon after, exercise or physical exertion
- Irritants: smoke, dust and air pollution, aerosol sprays, and strong fumes
- Allergens: animals, dust mites, mold, pollen, and chemicals
- Infections
- Exercise
- Weather
- Physical and Psychological Changes
Asthma is manageable with proper medical care and understanding of the disease.
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