Asthma is a chronic disease that affects breathing. Airways, the tubes allowing air to come in and out of the lungs, become narrow, inflamed and swell and produce excess mucus. These sensitive airways react when confronted with certain allergens such as pollen, animal dander, mold, dust mites and irritants. The narrow airways cause wheezing, coughing and labored breathing.

Asthma can be treated with preventive medicines that provide long-term control, as well as quick-relief medicines that provide immediate relief of symptoms.

Take this Asthma Control Test (ACT) and discuss the results with your doctor:

1. Asthma Control Test
2. View and print the Asthma Action Plan and take active role in controlling asthma.

Asthma

Asthma symptoms can vary in severity and differ from individual to individual. Asthma symptoms may include:

1. Shortness of breath
2. Chest tightness, pain or pressure
3. Wheezing (common sign in children) or whistling
4. Difficulty sleeping at night
5. Mood changes such as tired, easily upset, irritable
6. Decline in lung function capacity when measured with peak flow meter
7. Cold or allergy symptoms (sore throat, nasal congestion, sneezing, running nose and headache)

Risk factors for developing asthma may include:

1. Family history (parent or sibling)
2. Allergic conditions such as hay fever and skin conditions that create rashes
3. Obesity
4. Smoking
5. Contact with second hand smoke
6. Mother who smoked at pregnancy
7. Babies born with low birth weight
8. Being exposed to exhaust fumes or other pollutants
9. Work-related environments that use chemicals

Asthma can be treated with preventive medicines that provide long-term control, as well as quick-relief medicines that provide immediate relief of symptoms. Other asthma treatment options also include:

1. Chest x-ray
2. Lung function tests
3. Recognizing asthma triggers and how to prevent them
4. Taking daily asthma medications
5. Keeping symptoms under control

If asthma is brought on by allergies, treatment options may include allergy shots and allergy medications.