What is asthma?
A person with asthma has a chronic illness that causes swelling and narrowing of tiny air passages, called bronchioles. During an asthma attack, air has difficulty passing through the narrowed bronchioles. As air passes through the narrowed bronchioles, it makes a whistling noise, called wheezing. The underlying cause of asthma is unknown, but most cases tend to be inherited and it occurs more frequently in those who suffer from allergies. There are a wide variety of things that can trigger wheezing in those with asthma.

What are the symptoms of asthma?
Common symptoms of asthma include wheezing, breathing difficulty, cough, and chest tightness.

How does the doctor treat asthma?
Most people with asthma respond well to treatment with medications that quickly reverse wheezing.