What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition where your airways are inflamed and sensitive to certain triggers including infections, smoke, food, cold weather and exercise. When asthma is triggered, muscles around your airways tighten and there is more mucus and inflammation leading to a narrowing of the airways. This causes symptoms such as chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and coughing . This process can occur very quickly (over minutes- asthma attack) or slowly (over hours to weeks).

Although there is no cure for asthma, it can be managed with easy to use and simple medications. Ideally you should have no asthma symptoms, not be bothered at night by your asthma, have no problems in exercise and not require any steroids or hospital admissions. If these are occurring you need to see your GP for further review.