Asthma is a chronic disease of the lungs and lung airways which are called the bronchi. Bronchi are the tubular structures which conduct air inward to and outward from the lungs. If you have asthma, your airways can get inflamed and narrowed from time to time. Consequently, it becomes harder to exhale because air becomes trapped in the airways.

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, asthma is a condition that affects about 1 in 13 Americans. The disease affects all age groups, but is often first noticed in childhood. Some possible causes of asthma attacks or flare-ups include pollen, exercising, viral infections, and cold air. We call these as asthma triggers. These symptoms escalate to an asthma attack where the chest may tighten due to increased inflammation of the risk factors.

Though asthma does not have a cure so far, medication and an asthma action plan can help control the condition. Prescription management, avoidance of certain triggers and control and assessment of asthma signs and symptoms forms a part of the plan.