What is asthma?

Asthma is a very common, highly treatable lung condition.
Millions of individuals worldwide, children and
adults, carry a diagnosis of asthma. Asthma’s symptoms
relate to breathing and to the respiratory system. Symptoms
of asthma vary in frequency and in intensity and
may include cough, wheeze, increased mucus production,
uncomfortable breathing, and shortness of breath. Asthma
severity not only varies from person to person, but can

also fluctuate in a given person over time. A major goal of
asthma treatment is directed at symptom prevention as
well as at symptom control. Some people with mild
asthma experience infrequent symptoms. Others, whose
asthma is more persistent, at the other end of the asthma
severity spectrum, may require several daily lung medications
taken regularly to control their disease, normalize
their lung functioning, and attain a symptom-free state.
Physicians who specialize in asthma care firmly believe
that even the most severely affected asthma sufferers
can be treated successfully. Modern asthma management
and contemporary therapies allow persons diagnosed
with asthma to lead full, active lives. Successful
asthma treatment requires an understanding of the disease
in general as well as how it manifests itself in a particular
person, combined with attentive medical care and
the forging of a cooperative partnership between patient
and physician