Asthma is a lung disorder in which there is intermittent inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs. People with asthma have recurrent attacks when the muscles in the walls of the airways contract, causing narrowing.
This is usually in response to an allergen, such as pollen, house dust mites, or pet dander (minute scales from animal hair, feathers, and skin), but an attack may also be triggered by factors such as inhaled chemicals, irritants, or dusts; certain medications; stress; exercise; or respiratory infections.
An asthma attack causes the sudden onset of wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness of the chest, and coughing. In a severe attack, breathlessness may be so bad that speaking is impossible; the lips, fingers, and toes may turn blue; and the person may become unconscious. Asthma is treated with medication to prevent or relieve attacks.
A severe attack requires urgent medical help

Othere related diseases

CROUP
In croup (medically known as laryngotracheitis), the upper airways become inflamed and narrowed, producing hoarseness, a harsh, grating sound while breathing in...

CYSTIC FIBROSIS
Cystic fibrosis (CF) is an inherited condition in which a faulty gene causes body secretions to be abnormal, especially in the lungs and digestive system, leadi...

DEVIATED NASAL SEPTUM
With a deviated nasal septum, the partition that separates the nostrils (which is called the nasal septum) is shifted to one side.
A deviated septum may b...

EPIGLOTTITIS
Epiglottitis is a potentially life-threatening condition in which the epiglottis (the flap of tissue behind the tongue that prevents food from entering the airw...

FUNCTIONAL DYSPHONIA
Voice overuse Functional dysphonia is the medical term for abnormalities of the voice that are not due to any underlying disorder. Typical abnormalities may in...

HAY FEVER
Allergic rhinitis Seasonal allergic rhinitis In hay fever (also called seasonal allergic rhinitis), the lining of the nose becomes inflamed due to an allergic ...

HERPANGINA
Herpangina is a throat infection caused by a specific group of viruses known as enteroviruses, most commonly by coxsackieviruses—a group of viruses that can c...

LARYNGEAL CANCER
In laryngeal cancer, a cancerous tumor develops on the vocal cords themselves or just above or below the cords. The exact cause is unknown, but it is associated...