Asthma 101

Imagine breathing through a straw. Now imagine you’re running or very stressed and trying to breathe through that straw. This is what millions of people with asthma experience when they have an asthma “attack,” or flare-up. But what exactly is asthma?Asthma is a chronic illness that affects your airways as they narrow and swell, sometimes filling with mucus. The word “asthma” comes from the Greek aazein, which means to pant with your mouth open — a good fit given how the disease affects your breathing.Asthma symptomsAsthma symptoms vary from person to person and they can also change, sometimes making diagnosis tricky.Symptoms of asthma can include:Feeling short of breathChest tightness or pressureWheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe out)Feeling out of breath, coughing or wheezing while trying to sleepCoughing or wheezing that gets worse with a cold or a respiratory virusSigns that asthma is worsening include:More frequent symptomsLower readings on a peak flow meter, which measures how much air your lungs can push outNeeding rescue medications more oftenIf symptoms get to the point that you can’t catch your breath or speak without gasping, this is a medical emergency. Call 9...