Asthma Resource Center - All Articles
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Asthma - All Articles

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Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition in which airways become narrow and inflamed in response to a trigger. It can cause symptoms such as excess mucus, coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. Asthma can be mild or serious, and its intensity can fluctuate over time depending on environmental factors. There is currently no cure, but treatments can help to manage symptoms. It's important to work with a healthcare practitioner to monitor and adjust treatment as necessary.

What Is Asthma? 
What Is Asthma? 
What Is Asthma? Medically Reviewed by Rohan Mankikar, MD | September 11, 2025

FAQ

When can you develop asthma?

You can develop asthma at any age, although for most people this happens during childhood. Allergies and tobacco exposure can lead to asthma developing later in life.

Inhalers are the main treatment for asthma. They generally fall into two categories: preventers and relievers. Preventive inhalers are often corticosteroids, and they work to prevent symptoms and asthma attacks in the long term. Relievers (also sometimes called rescue medications) alleviate symptoms right away.

There is no cure for asthma. However, there are many treatments available that can help you to effectively manage symptoms so that your asthma doesn’t negatively affect your life too much.

During an asthma attack, you'll likely experience a worsening of your usual asthma symptoms (including coughing and chest tightness), breathing that is faster than normal, gasping for air, wheezing, and an inability to talk, eat, or perform other everyday activities.

Asthma has numerous symptoms but some of the more prevalent symptoms are wheezing, cough, breathlessness, and a tight chest.

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Everyday Health’s team of board-certified physicians and health professionals contribute to the creation and review of content, ensuring that the information is useful, up to date, and accurate.
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Jon E. Stahlman, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Jon E. Stahlman, MD, has been a practicing allergist for more than 25 years. He is currently the section chief of allergy and immunology at Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta's Scott...

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Paul Boyce, MD, MPH

Paul Boyce, MD, MPH

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Paul Boyce, MD, MPH, is the medical director of the pulmonary hypertension program at Northside Hospital in Atlanta. He is a board-certified pulmonologist and intensivist, and his ...

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Rohan Mankikar, MD

Medical Reviewer

Rohan Mankikar, MD, is the chief of pulmonary medicine at Huntington Hospital and practices on Long Island. Originally from New Jersey, Dr. Mankikar studied medicine at The Medical...

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Alison Ozgur, RDN

Medical Reviewer
Member of American College of Lifestyle Medicine

Alison Ozgur, RDN, is a wellness expert with advanced training in whole-food, plant-based nutrition. She is also an adjunct instructor of nutrition at Jersey College in Teterboro, ...

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Philip Diaz, MD

Medical Reviewer
Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Philip Diaz, MD, is a board-certified pulmonologist and critical care specialist and a professor of medicine at The Ohio State University. He specializes in caring for patients wit...

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Stephen H. Kimura, MD

Medical Reviewer

Stephen Kimura, MD, is a board-certified allergist and immunologist. He's been in private practice in Pensacola, Florida, for the past 25 years with the Medical Center Clinic, a mu...

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David Mannino, MD

Medical Reviewer

David Mannino, MD, is the chief medical officer at the COPD Foundation. He has a long history of research and engagement in respiratory health.

After completing medical training as ...

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Sylvia E. Klinger, DBA, MS, RD, CPT

Medical Reviewer

Sylvia Klinger, DBA, MS, RD, CPT, is an internationally recognized nutrition expert who is relentlessly passionate about helping people fall in love with creating and enjoying deli...

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Yuying Luo, MD

Medical Reviewer

Yuying Luo, MD, is an assistant professor of medicine at Mount Sinai West and Morningside in New York City. She aims to deliver evidence-based, patient-centered, and holistic care ...

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Michael S. Niederman, MD

Medical Reviewer
From NewYork-Presbyterian, Castle Connolly Top Doctor

Michael S. Niederman, MD, is the lead academic and patient quality officer in the division of pulmonary and critical care medicine at Weill Cornell Medical Center in New York City;...

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Resources
  1. Asthma. Mayo Clinic. May 2024.

ALL ASTHMA ARTICLES

What Is Asthma?
What Is Asthma?
What Is Asthma?Medically Reviewed by Rohan Mankikar, MD | September 11, 2025