Everything You Need To Know About Asthma, From Triggers To Treatments

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), one in 13 Americans has asthma. Every day, ten people die from asthma-related complications. Despite the condition being so common, many people do not understand it or know how to handle it.

Did you know that asthma is not considered to be a single disease? Or that exercise can both harm and help asthma? If you or someone you know has asthma, learn everything about the condition here–from triggers to at-home treatments.

What Is Asthma?

While many people are familiar with asthmatic symptoms, some do not know what the condition is. The American Lung Association defines asthma as a chronic condition in which the airways become inflamed and produce more mucous. This may cause breathing problems in some people.

A man coughs while holding a tissue.
BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images
BSIP/UIG Via Getty Images

Asthma can be diagnosed at any age, and it has no cure. The inflammation makes airways sensitive to “triggers” such as dust or pollen. Sometimes, the muscles around the airways tighten, which results in a flare-up or “asthma attack.”