Asthma

If you frequently experience shortness of breath or you hear a whistling or wheezy sound in your chest when you breathe, you may have asthma—a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the bronchial tubes, the passageways that allow air to enter and leave the lungs.

Effective treatment of allergic asthma includes identifying and avoiding allergens that trigger symptoms, using drug therapies and developing an emergency action plan for severe attacks.

If you experience wheezing, coughing, chest tightness or shortness of breath at work, you may have occupational asthma. People with this condition usually work around chemical fumes, dust or other irritants in the air.

Asthma can complicate other medical conditions. Find out how to manage your asthma during illness or pregnancy.