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
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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) - 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
- 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/
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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
- Folic Acid Might Offer Allergy Relief(04/30/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83628.html
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May Is Asthma Awareness Month(04/27/2009, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention) - http://www.cdc.gov/Features/AsthmaAwareness/
- Family History of Asthma Boosts Odds Almost 6 Times(04/23/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83298.html
- Low Vitamin A, C Intake Tied to Asthma Risk(04/16/2009, HealthDay) - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/news/fullstory_83001.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/
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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
- AAAAI Allergy and Asthma Drug Guide(American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology) - http://www.aaaai.org/patients/resources/medication_guide.asp
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Albuterol Inhalers: Time to Transition(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/albuterol053008.html
Also available in Spanish http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/albuterol_sp053008.html
- Asthma Medications Chart(American Lung Association) - Links to PDF - http://www.lungusa.org/atf/cf/%7B7a8d42c2-fcca-4604-8ade-7f5d5e762256%7D/ASTHMAMEDICINECHART.PDF
- FDA Safety Update: Asthma Medications(Food and Drug Administration) - http://www.fda.gov/consumer/updates/asthmameds051308.html
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Inhaled Steroid Drugs(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
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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 Management for Asthma(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/asthma/lifestyle-management/nutrition/nutrition-management.aspx
- Asthma in Adults: Gain Control with a Asthma 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
- 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 -
Managing Your Medication Supply(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/medications/manage/index.aspx
Also available in Spanish http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/espanol/Mngng-Med-Supply-Spnsh.aspx
- Peak Flow Meter(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/asthma/lifestyle-management/tools/peak-flow-meter.aspx
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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/healthinfo/conditions/asthma/types/nocturnal-asthma.aspx
- Occupational Asthma(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/occupational-asthma/DS00591/DSECTION=all&METHOD=print
- Allergies and Asthma: They Often Occur Together(Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research) - http://www.mayoclinic.com/print/allergies-and-asthma/AA00045/METHOD=print
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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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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: Moisture in the Air Eases Skin, Breathing Symptoms(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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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
- Wheezing(DSHI Systems) - http://www.freemd.com/wheezing/visit-virtual-doctor.htm
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Asthma(Patient Education Institute) - 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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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
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Asthma Research Studies: Background(National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) - http://www.niehs.nih.gov/health/topics/conditions/asthma/studies/background.cfm
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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
References and abstracts from MEDLINE/PubMed (National Library of Medicine)
- Article: Clinical practice. Asthma in pregnancy. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19403904&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Self-management plans for asthma control and predictors of patient compliance. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19373635&tool=MedlinePlus
- Article: Efficacy of esomeprazole for treatment of poorly controlled asthma. - http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/sites/entrez?cmd=Retrieve&db=pubmed&dopt=AbstractPlus&list_uids=19357404&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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Allergy and Asthma Information Resources(National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases) - http://www3.niaid.nih.gov/healthscience/healthtopics/allergicDiseases/links.htm
- Asthma Hotline(Environmental Protection Agency) - http://www.noattacks.org/asthmahotline.html
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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/
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National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - http://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/
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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
- FastStats: Asthma(National Center for Health Statistics) - http://www.cdc.gov/nchs/fastats/asthma.htm
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Controlling Asthma--Wynona Breathing Easy - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg12-13.html
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Life, Death, and Second Chances - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg16-17.html
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New Asthma Guidelines: What You Should Know - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg15.html
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Test Your Asthma Knowledge - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg19.html
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What is Asthma? - http://www.nlm.nih.gov/medlineplus/magazine/issues/fall07/articles/fall07pg14.html
- Asthma Management and Pregnancy(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/asthma/associated-conditions/pregnancy/management.aspx
- Asthma Triggers During Pregnancy(National Jewish Health) - http://www.nationaljewish.org/healthinfo/conditions/asthma/associated-conditions/pregnancy/triggers.aspx
- 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