Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes difficulty of breathing. In this condition, the inside walls of airways become swollen and sore. The exact cause of this health condition is still unknown. However, there are some factors that are being considered to cause asthma. The risk factors include family history with asthma, airway hyper activity, obesity, atopy, infections, exposure to cigarette, obesity and many others.

Whenever the breathing passage become infected or irritated, an attack can be triggered. This attack may develop slowly or abruptly. The main symptoms that signal the attack are wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, chronic cough and difficulty in speaking.

Wheezing is a common symptom that can be found in a person with asthma. It is characterized as high pitch whistle sound as you breath through your nose or mouth. Wheezing occurs when the airway of the lungs are narrowed as a result for inflammation. If wheezing occurs even you are without asthma, you should consult it with your healthcare provider. Shortness of breath is another symptoms associated with asthma. It is usually associated with difficulty of breathing and fatigue. A person that has shortness of breath but without asthma should schedule appointment with their doctor. An asthma patient experiencing shortness of breath may signal worsening and poor control of symptoms. Chest tightness usually occurs in patient with asthma. As the airway become inflamed, chest tightness may occur due to inability to move air properly. Inflammation, muscle tightness and mucous may also occur. Chest tightness can be increase with stress and anxiety. Chronic cough is a common symptom of asthma which is usually occurs at night.

If a person with asthma is admitted to the hospital, the doctor will provide some test to assess the severity of the attack. The tests measurements that are usually done to test breathing are spirometer, oximeter and peak flow meter.

Spirometer is a tool that is used to measure the amount of air you can exhale normally and forcefully. This test may be done before or after taking your inhaled medications.

Oximeter is a painless probe that is placed onto the fingertip. It is used to measure the amount of oxygen in the blood.

Peak flow meter is another tool that is used to measure amount of air as you exhale forcefully.

People with asthma should not be afraid of living their life to the fullest. Proper assessment and management of symptoms allows the people to limit or reduce the frequency of their attacks.