Asthma is a respiratory disease that leads to inflammation that causes the muscles of the airways to tighten. This can make it harder to breathe, leading to symptoms like:
wheezing
coughing
shortness of breath
tight chest
The WHO estimates that 262 millionTrusted Source people around the world had asthma in 2019. Its exact cause is unknown but is more likely to occur in people with:
other close family members who have asthma
other allergy-related conditions, like hay fever and eczema
exposure to environmental allergens or irritants
For some, asthma attacks can be serious and can be fatal. Doctors prescribe medications that help relax the airways, making breathing easier, to treat asthma. These medications are typically given via an inhaler.
