Chronic inflammatory disease of airways. Review possible symptoms, contributing factors, assessment, warning signs and care options.
About Asthma
Chronic inflammatory disease of airways
Asthma is a chronic condition where airways become inflamed and narrow, making breathing difficult.
Triggers can include allergens, exercise, cold air, and stress. Symptoms can range from mild to severe.
Editorial update (28 September 2026): structured medical content awaits clinical reviewer sign-off.
How assessment may be approached
A clinician may review cough, breathlessness, wheeze, fever, triggers, smoking or exposures, medicines and infection risk. Examination and tests such as oxygen saturation, imaging, lung function or sputum testing may be considered.
Care can range from self-care and monitoring to inhaler review, antibiotics for a confirmed indication, allergy control, rehabilitation or specialist assessment. Ask how to use medicines and what improvement should occur.
When to seek prompt care
Seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, blue lips or face, confusion, chest pain, coughing blood, low oxygen saturation if measured, inability to speak in sentences or rapidly worsening symptoms.
Symptoms
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Coughing
- Difficulty breathing
Possible causes
- Genetic factors
- Environmental triggers
- Allergies
- Respiratory infections
- Air pollution
Care and treatment options
- Inhaled corticosteroids
- Bronchodilators
- Allergy medications
- Avoidance of triggers
- Asthma action plan
Key points
- Affects 300 million people worldwide
- Most common chronic disease in children
- Cannot be cured but can be controlled
- Proper management allows normal life
Preparing for a consultation
- When breathing or cough symptoms started and their pattern.
- Triggers such as dust, smoke, allergies or infection.
- Inhalers, medicines and how they are used.
- Temperature, oxygen readings or recent test results if available.
Questions worth asking
- Is Asthma the most likely explanation for these symptoms, and what alternatives should be checked?
- Which symptoms or findings would require urgent review?
- Are medicines, underlying health problems or lifestyle factors contributing?
- What tests or examinations are needed now, and what can safely wait?
- What treatment or self-care options are reasonable, and when should I be reviewed again?
- What is the expected benefit, limit, cost and follow-up plan for the suggested care?
Related conditions
Related clinicians
Related tests
Medical information limitations
This page summarizes listed condition information and cannot confirm a diagnosis or choose treatment. Do not start, stop or change prescribed treatment based only on this page.
Common questions
What is Asthma?
Chronic inflammatory disease of airways This is general information; the name describes a possible diagnosis or clinical problem, not a personal diagnosis.
How might a clinician assess Asthma?
A clinician may review cough, breathlessness, wheeze, fever, triggers, smoking or exposures, medicines and infection risk. Examination and tests such as oxygen saturation, imaging, lung function or sputum testing may be considered.
What care may be discussed?
Care options listed include Inhaled corticosteroids, Bronchodilators, Allergy medications, Avoidance of triggers. Which option is appropriate depends on the confirmed cause, severity, preferences and contraindications.
When should Asthma be checked urgently?
Seek urgent care for severe breathlessness, blue lips or face, confusion, chest pain, coughing blood, low oxygen saturation if measured, inability to speak in sentences or rapidly worsening symptoms.
How should I prepare for a consultation?
When breathing or cough symptoms started and their pattern. Triggers such as dust, smoke, allergies or infection. Inhalers, medicines and how they are used. Temperature, oxygen readings or recent test results if available. Bring previous reports and a current medicine list where relevant.
Can this page diagnose or treat the condition?
No. A page about Asthma can help you understand possible features and questions, but it cannot confirm a diagnosis or choose treatment. A qualified clinician should assess your symptoms, history and any test results.
General information only; it is not a diagnosis or a substitute for a qualified clinician’s advice.