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Definition

By Mayo Clinic staff

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Illustration of what happens during an asthma attack Asthma attack

Asthma is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

For some people, asthma is a minor nuisance. For others, it can be a major problem that interferes with daily activities and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack.

Asthma can't be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled. Because asthma often changes over time, it's important that you work with your doctor to track your signs and symptoms and adjust treatment as needed.

Symptoms
References
  1. What is asthma? National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/health-topics/topics/asthma/. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  2. McPhee SJ, et al. Current Medical Diagnosis & Treatment 2012. 51st ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=2740. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  3. Parker MJ. Asthma. Otolaryngologic Clinics of North America. 2011;44:667.
  4. Asthma action plan. National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/asthma_actplan.htm. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  5. Longo DL, et al. Harrison's Online. 18th ed. New York, N.Y.: The McGraw-Hill Companies; 2012. http://www.accessmedicine.com/content.aspx?aID=9127709. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  6. Asthma overview — What causes asthma? Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=6. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  7. Bjerg A. A strong synergism of low birth weight and prenatal smoking on asthma in schoolchildren. Pediatrics. 2011;127:e905.
  8. Ferri FF. Ferri's Clinical Advisor 2012: 5 Books in 1. Philadelphia, Pa. : Mosby Elsevier; 2011. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00010-0--sc0310&isbn=978-0-323-05611-3&sid=1283797418&uniqId=324341161-6#4-u1.0-B978-0-323-05611-3..00010-0--s6435. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  9. Asthma overview — Diagnosis. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=7. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  10. Zafirlukast. Micromedex Healthcare Series. http://www.micromedex.com. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  11. Asthma overview — Treatment. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&cont=8. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  12. Hashimoto S, et al. Current treatment of severe asthma. Clinical and Experimental Allergy. In press. Accessed Mar. 14, 2012.
  13. Allergy overview — Treatment. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&cont=81. Accessed March 13, 2012.
  14. Mason RJ, et al. Murray and Nadel's Textbook of Respiratory Medicine. 5th ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2010. http://www.mdconsult.com/books/page.do?eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00038-9--s0250&isbn=978-1-4160-4710-0&sid=1283802117&uniqId=324341161-7#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4710-0..00038-9--s0325. Accessed March 14, 2012.
  15. Indoor air quality and allergies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=18&cont=233. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  16. Bruton A, et al. The role of breathing training in asthma management. Current Opinion in Allergy and Clinical Immunology. 2011;11:53.
  17. Alternative therapies. Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=16&cont=40. March 14, 2012.
  18. Butterbur. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=nd&pt=100&id=649. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  19. Indian frankincense. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=nd&pt=100&id=63. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  20. Pycnogenol. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=nd&pt=100&id=1019. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  21. Fish oil. Natural Medicines Comprehensive Database. http://naturaldatabase.therapeuticresearch.com/nd/Search.aspx?cs=MAYO&s=nd&pt=100&id=993. Accessed March 15, 2012.
  22. Li JT (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 22, 2012.
  23. Anderson CF (expert opinion). Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minn. March 20, 2012.
DS00021 May 26, 2012

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