Asthma is an inflammatory disorder of the airways, which causes attacks of wheezing shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing. How and why people develop asthma is not completely understood, but many of the "triggers" that cause asthma attacks are clearly recognized and preventable.

What Cause Asthma?

Asthma is caused by inflammation in the airways. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscles surrounding the airways become tight and the lining of the air passages swell. This reduces the amount of air that can pass by, and can lead to wheezing sounds.

Most people with asthma have wheezing attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some people have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Still, in others, a cough may be the main symptom. Asthma attacks can last minutes to days and can become dangerous if the airflow becomes severely restricted.

Asthma symptoms do tend to present themselves more at night time, especially in bed. There are three levels of asthma symptoms, mild, moderate and severe.

Asthma is considered mild when you are getting asthma attacks once or twice a week. They should not interfere with your daily activities. Asthma symptoms are considered moderate when you are having daily attacks and night time attacks a couple times a week. At this level, you should be taking relief medication.

Asthma symptoms are considered severe when your daily life is completely interrupted with coughing and wheezing and all of the symptoms listed above. When you have to limit your daily activities, you have severe asthma. Nighttime will also become a dreaded part of the day as symptoms will get worse.