Asthma is a common respiratory disorder in which the airways that carry air in and out of the lungs become irritated and swollen. This results in breathlessness, wheezing, coughing and tightness of the chest.
Asthma may sometimes be triggered by a number of factors, such as viral and bacterial chest infections, pollen, animal fur, house dust mites, tobacco smoke, emotional stress and cold air. The condition affects approximately 1 in 12 people in the UK, whose symptoms may range from very mild to very severe. If monitored and treated, sufferers can live normal lives; however, the condition can cause permanent damage to the airways if left untreated, and in severe cases, an attack may even be fatal.
In this section, you can find out more about the causes and symptoms of asthma, along with information about how it may be diagnosed and treated.
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