Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs. In people with asthma, these airways can become inflamed, narrowed, and more sensitive, which can make it harder for air to move normally.

Asthma can affect people of all ages and often begins during childhood, although some people develop symptoms for the first time as adults. Symptoms can come and go and may become worse when a person is exposed to certain triggers.

Common symptoms include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. These symptoms may occur at different times and can become more noticeable at night, in the early morning, during exercise, or after exposure to certain triggers.

There is currently no cure for asthma, but appropriate treatment and an asthma action plan can help many people control their symptoms and reduce flare-ups.