Asthma is a chronic disease that is prevalent in more than half the world.
It affects adults and children alike.
It is a complex disease of the respiratory system in which airways of the lungs get affected.
The most common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest pain, and severe coughing.
Asthma has been a difficult disease to identify and diagnose since it is difficult to distinguish between other respiratory issues.
The air passages that lead to the lungs have a curious structure - like the branches of a tree; the airways become minute and small.
The progression of asthma is thought to be in causing inflammation of the airways and limiting the flow of air to the lungs.
The course of an asthma attack causes the muscles of the airways to constrict severely and the passage of air is restricted.
This causes difficulty in breathing and all the symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing etc.
In some cases there is an accumulation of excessive mucus in the passages and this can add to the woes of an asthma patient.
There are several medications available to bring the asthma under control.
There are two ways of tackling the disease.
One method is by prevention of an attack.
In this case the triggers for an attack must be noted and avoided at all costs.
In case an asthma attack has set in there are medications which can instantaneously clear the air passages and allow for free breathing.
There have been some alternative remedies to prescription drugs but the efficacy is not tested across a large demographic.
Taking care of this debilitating disease can give asthma patients a new lease on life.
They can take part in activities earlier barred to them due to the fear of having an asthma attack.