The Facts

• Asthma is a disease where the bronchial walls constrict, causing your airways to produce extra mucous, which further blocks the airways. Asthma is characterized by the lungs being excessively sensitive to various forms of stimuli. Although asthma is an incurable disease, the symptoms can be controlled. Symptoms can change over time; therefore, it is important to see your doctor regularly so that he can adjust your medications and treatments as necessary.
  
  

Symptoms

• If you are suffering from asthma, your symptoms may range from mild to severe. Symptoms of asthma include chest tightness or pain, shortness of breath, insomnia, and wheezing and coughing that get worse with a cold or flu. You may only be bothered by mild symptoms like wheezing with an occasional asthma attack, or your symptoms may be more severe such as excessive coughing and wheezing.
  
  

Causes

• Doctors believe that asthma is caused by genetic and environmental factors. Irritants and allergens can trigger asthma symptoms, including respiratory infections, airborne allergens, cold air, physical activity, air pollutants, stress, certain medications, sulfites, GERD, food allergies and menstrual cycles in some women.
  
  

Diagnosis

• Your doctor may perform various tests if he suspects you have asthma. After confirming your asthma symptoms by asking you a series of questions, he might suggest a spirometry test or a peak flow test. A spirometry test gauges how narrow your bronchial tubes become after you exhale. The peak flow test is something that you use at home to track changes that happen just before you notice your asthma symptoms. Other tests that your doctor may perform are a nitric oxide test and a methacholine bronchial challenge. The nitric oxide test measures the amount of nitric oxide in your breath. High levels of nitric oxide usually indicate restricted airways. The methacholine bronchial challenge is a procedure in which you inhale methacholine, a known trigger of asthma, and your doctor monitors you to see if your airways are affected.
  
  

Treatment

• Your doctor will likely suggest that you avoid things that trigger your asthma, and may also prescribe one or more asthma medications. This could be a long-term asthma control medication, an inhaler or a combination of the two. If you have allergies that contribute to your asthma, he may prescribe an allergy medication as well. If you feel that your medication isn't working as well as it should, be sure to consult your doctor. Asthma can be deadly if it isn't properly controlled.