What is asthma? Anyone hearing the diagnosis of asthma for themselves or a child may wonder what is asthma. Many people do not realize the connection between asthma and the immune system. The symptoms of asthma are caused by overreaction of the immune system. The immune system mistakes harmless substances that are inhaled as dangerous. The immune system reacts with the release of histamine which causes the asthma symptoms.

The tendency for a person to have a sensitive immune system is inherited. This inherited sensitivity is called atopy. Asthma is not the only condition called by this hypersensitivity of the immune system. Eczema and allergies are also attributed to an immune system that overreacts to substances. People with asthma often have family members with asthma, eczema, or allergies.

When the immune system overreacts to an inhaled allergen or a condition such as cold air, it produces the symptoms of asthma. The symptoms of asthma include airway constriction, airway inflammation, swelling of the walls of the airway, and increased mucous production. The severity and frequency of the asthma symptoms vary from person to person. An individual’s asthma severity may also change over their lifetime. Asthma medications work on reducing these symptoms.

The signs of asthma are a result of the symptoms. The asthma signs are wheezing, shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, chest pain, and coughing. When asthma medication reduces the airway constriction and inflammation, it can stop the signs of asthma.

Diagnosing asthma involves performing an asthma test. The results from the asthma testing determine if the person has asthma. There are different tests that the doctor may order. The doctor may also order blood tests or a chest x-ray to rule out other conditions that could cause asthma symptoms.

There are different types of asthma. The types of asthma are allergic asthma, exercise-induced asthma, cough-variant asthma, occupational asthma, and nighttime or nocturnal asthma. After the patient is diagnosed with asthma, the asthma patient needs to work with the doctor to find the appropriate medication to reduce the signs and symptoms of asthma.

If the signs and symptoms of asthma inhibit breathing, it can result in an asthma attack. Asthma attacks can be dangerous and even fatal. Therefore, it is important for asthma patients to have their asthma medication available. If the asthma patients do not have access to medication at the time of an asthma attack, they need to seek emergency medical services.