Asthma is a condition that makes it hard to breathe. It happens when the airways in your lungs become swollen, narrow, and produce extra mucus. This can make you cough, wheeze, feel short of breath, or have a tight feeling in your chest.
Asthma can be triggered by things like dust, pollen, smoke, cold air, exercise, or even stress. Some people have mild asthma that only flares up sometimes, while others may have more severe asthma that needs daily treatment.
There is no permanent cure, but asthma can be managed with medications (like inhalers) and by avoiding triggers. If asthma gets really bad, it can cause an “asthma attack,” which may require emergency care.