Asthma is a chronic disease that affects your airways. Your airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the inside walls of your airways become sore and swollen. That makes them very sensitive, and they may react strongly to things that you are allergic to or find irritating. When your airways react, they get narrower and your lungs get less air. This can cause wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and trouble breathing, especially early in the morning or at night.
When your asthma symptoms become worse than usual, it's called an asthma attack. In a severe asthma attack, the airways can close so much that your vital organs do not get enough oxygen. People can die from severe asthma attacks.
Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicines: quick-relief medicines to stop asthma symptoms and long-term control medicines to prevent symptoms.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute
- Asthma(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/Asthma/Asthma_WhatIs.html
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Asthma(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/asthma/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/asthmaspanish/htm/index.htm
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Asthma: Learning to Control Your Symptoms(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/asthma/basics/014.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/asthma/basics/014.printerview.html
- Asthma(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/asthma/
- Asthma(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/asthma/DS00021/METHOD=print&DSECTION=all
- Asthma Facts(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/0107/
- Breath of Life(National Library of Medicine) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/hmd/breath/breathhome.html
- What Is Asthma?(Environmental Protection Agency, Office of Air and Radiation) - http://www.epa.gov/asthma/about.html
- 9/11's Health Effects Lingered for Years(09/10/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69134.html
- More Sweat Equals Lower Risk of Exercise-Induced Asthma(09/08/2008, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_69029.html
- Obesity Makes Asthma Worse(09/04/2008, Reuters Health) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_68894.html
- More News on Asthma http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/alphanews_a.html#asthma
- Asthma: Steps in Diagnosis(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/asthma/AS00003/METHOD=print
- Cough(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/tools/symptom/516.printerview.html
- Is Your Asthma Allergic?(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/topicofthemonth/0308/
- Lung Function Tests(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/dci/Diseases/lft/lft_whatare.html
- Spirometry(National Lung Health Education Program) - http://www.nlhep.org/spirom1.html
- Advair Diskus, Advair HFA, Brovana, Foradil, Perforomist, Serevent Diskus, and Symbicort Information(Center for Drug Evaluation and Research) - http://www.fda.gov/cder/drug/infopage/LABA/default.htm
- Albuterol Inhalers: Time to Transition(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/albuterol053008.html
- Asthma Medications Chart(American Lung Association) - http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=263990
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Asthma: Controller and Quick-Relief Medicine(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/asthma/medications/665.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/asthma/medications/665.printerview.html
- FDA Safety Update: Asthma Medications(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/asthmameds051308.html
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Inhaled Steroid Drugs: Summary of Affordable Alternatives(Consumers Union of U.S.) - http://www.consumerreports.org/health/best-buy-drugs/steroid_asthma.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.consumerreports.org/health/resources/pdf/best-buy-drugs/2pager_AsthmaSpanish.pdf
- Patient Instructions for Inhaled Devices(American College of Chest Physicians) - Links to PDF - http://www.chestnet.org/patients/guides/inhaledDevices.php
- Allergens and Irritants(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/allergens.cfm
- Alternative Therapies(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=9&sub=19&cont=254
- Nutrition and Asthma(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/asthma/living/healthy/nutrition.aspx
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Asthma Action Plan(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/asthma/basics/696.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/asthma/basics/696.printerview.html
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Asthma Flare-Ups(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/asthma/basics/681.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/asthma/basics/681.printerview.html
- Asthma in Adults: Gain Control with a Written Plan(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/asthma/AS00002/METHOD=print
- Asthma: 3 Steps to Better Asthma Control(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/asthma-treatment/AS00011/METHOD=print
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Asthma: Questions to Ask When It Doesn't Get Better(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/asthma/basics/682.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/asthma/basics/682.printerview.html
- Exercise-Induced Asthma(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/exercise-induced-asthma/DS01040/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
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How to Help Your Allergies and Asthma(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - Links to PDF - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/easy_reader/help.pdf
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/easy_reader/help_spanish.pdf
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Managing Your Medication Supply(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/treatments/manage-meds.aspx
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationaljewish.org/spanish/Mngng-Med-Supply-Spnsh.aspx
- Peak Flow Learning Center(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/asthma/living/tools/peak/
- So You Have Asthma(National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute) - Large PDF file - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/public/lung/asthma/have_asthma.pdf
- Nocturnal Asthma(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/asthma/about/types/nocturnal.aspx
- Occupational Asthma(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/occupational-asthma/DS00591/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Allergens and Irritants: Mold Spores(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/mold.cfm
- Asthma and Its Environmental Triggers(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) - Links to PDF - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/docs/FactsheetAsthmaandItsEnvironmentalTriggers.pdf
- Asthma: Limit Asthma Attacks Caused by Colds or Flu(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/asthma/AS00024/METHOD=print
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Asthma: Taking Medicines Safely(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/common/asthma/medications/171.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/common/asthma/medications/171.printerview.html
- Double Trouble: The Link Between Allergies and Asthma(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergies-and-asthma/AA00045/METHOD=print
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Exercise-Induced Bronchospasm: What You Should Know(American Academy of Family Physicians) - http://familydoctor.org/online/famdocen/home/articles/741.printerview.html
Also available in Spanish http://familydoctor.org/online/famdoces/home/articles/741.printerview.html
- GERD (Gastroesophageal Reflux Disease) and Asthma(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/seniorsandasthma/gerd.stm
- Humidifiers: Vital Steps for Cleaning(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/humidifiers/HQ00076/METHOD=print
- Lung - COPD and Asthma(National Lung Health Education Program) - http://www.nlhep.org/lung_copd.html
- New Approaches to Treating Asthma: Your Appointment with Your Doctor(American Medical Association) - http://www.medem.com/medlb/article_detaillb.cfm?article_ID=ZZZEJ0QXX6E&sub_cat=0
- Other Diseases Related to Asthma(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/gallery/adultasthma.asp?item=1c
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Smoking and Asthma(Nemours Foundation) - http://kidshealth.org/parent/managing_asthma/triggers/smoking_asthma.html
Also available in Spanish http://kidshealth.org/parent/en_espanol/medicos/smoking_asthma_esp.html
- Stress and Asthma(Cleveland Clinic Foundation) - http://my.clevelandclinic.org/disorders/asthma/hic_stress_and_asthma.aspx
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Traveling with Allergies and Asthma(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/publicedmat/tips/travelingwithallergies.stm
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/espanol/tips/viajar_con_alergias_y_asma.stm
- What People with Asthma Need to Know about Osteoporosis(National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases) - http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Bone/Osteoporosis/Conditions_Behaviors/asthma.asp
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Asthma Life Quality Test(American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology) - http://www.acaai.org/public/lifeQuality/lq.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.acaai.org/public/lifeQuality/asma.htm
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Asthma(Patient Education Institute) - Requires Flash Player - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/tutorials/asthma/htm/index.htm
Also available in Spanish http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/spanish/tutorials/asthmaspanish/htm/index.htm
- ClinicalTrials.gov: Asthma(National Institutes of Health) - http://clinicaltrials.gov/search/open/condition=%22Asthma%22
- ALA Study Finds No Evidence of Depression or Suicide Linked to Asthma and Allergy Drug Montelukast(American Lung Association) - http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nlnet/content2.aspx?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=34893&ct=5864263¬oc=1
- Asthma Research Studies: Background(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/background.cfm
- Asthma: Research Focus(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/topics/asthma/research/researchFocus.htm
- EPA-Funded Study Finds Key Elements of Successful Asthma Programs(Environmental Protection Agency) - http://www.epa.gov/asthma/ahop.html
- Article: Impact of specific allergen sensitization on the prevalence of asthma... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18681081&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: New visions in specific immunotherapy in children: an iPAC summary... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18665964&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Fish oil intake compared with olive oil intake in late... - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=18614738&tool=MedlinePlus
- Asthma -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=(asthma[majr]+NOT+asthma,exercise+induced[majr])+AND+english[la]+AND+adult[mh]+AND+(review[pt]+OR+guideline[pt]+OR+clinical+trial[pt]+OR+jsubsetk[text]+OR+jsubsetaim[text]+OR+jsubsetn[text]+OR+patient+education+handout[pt])+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt]+OR+case+reports[pt]+OR+news[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Exercise-induced asthma -- see more articles - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=search&db=pubmed&term=asthma,exercise+induced[majr]+AND+english[la]+AND+humans[mh]+NOT+(letter[pt]+OR+editorial[pt])&doptcmdl=summary&cmd_current=Limits&pmfilter_EDatLimit=last+1+Year&tool=MedlinePlus
- Glossary of Asthma Terms(Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America) - http://www.aafa.org/display.cfm?id=8&sub=104&cont=474
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Find an Allergist: Search(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/physref/
Also available in Spanish http://www.aaaai.org/physref/?espanol=yes
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology - http://www.aaaai.org/
- American Lung Association - http://www.lungusa.org/
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
- National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/
- Asthma(American Lung Association) - http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=4089823
- Asthma in Adults(American Lung Association) - http://www.lungusa.org/site/apps/nl/content3.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=2058817&content_id={39966A20-AE3C-4F85-B285-68E23EDC6CA8}¬oc=1
- FASTATS: Asthma(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm
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Asthma Wizard(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/asthma/kids/wizard/contents.aspx
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/asthma/kids/swizard/contents.aspx
- Asthma and Pregnancy(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/disease-info/diseases/asthma/living/pregnancy/
- Age Healthier, Breathe Easier: Solutions You Can Use to Control or Reduce Environmental Triggers(Environmental Protection Agency) - http://www.epa.gov/aging/solutions/
- Asthma and Older People(American Lung Association) - http://www.lungusa.org/site/pp.asp?c=dvLUK9O0E&b=22598
- Seniors and Asthma(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/seniorsandasthma/
- Allergy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/allergy.html
- Asthma in Children - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/asthmainchildren.html
- Breathing Problems - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/breathingproblems.html
- Indoor Air Pollution - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/indoorairpollution.html
- Immune System - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/immunesystem.html
- Lungs and Breathing - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/lungsandbreathing.html
The primary NIH organization for research on Asthma is the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
Asthma - Multiple Languages - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/languages/asthma.html