What is asthma?

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•Last Updated: October 25, 2023

Asthma is a chronic lung disease characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways.^[1] People with asthma experience recurrent episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing.^[2] These episodes are often worse in the mornings and evenings.

Last Updated:October 25, 2023

References

^The content of this page was partially adapted from MedlinePlus of the National Library of Medicine
^National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (US)National Asthma Education and Prevention Program, Third Expert Panel on the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma. Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma(2007-08)