Asthma is a chronic lung disease which causes inflammation of the airways that carry oxygen to the lungs, making breathing extremely difficult. An asthma attack occurs when the airways, or bronchial tubes, become constricted. Severity of asthma attacks vary from mild to potentially life-threatening.

There is no known cure for asthma, but there are a variety of different types of treatments available to help control symptoms of the disease. Many asthmatics take a combination of medications like inhaled corticosteroids or leukotriene inhibitors such as Singulair to help control the disease on a long-term basis along with a short-term "rescue" medication, like albuterol, for acute asthma attacks.MayoClinic: Asthma: Treatments and drugs

Asthma symptoms vary depending on the severity of the disease, but may include shortness of breath, wheezing, chest tightness or pain and coughing. Symptoms of an asthma attack may include severe wheezing, uncontrolled coughing, rapid breathing and tightening of the neck and chest muscles.WebMD: Asthma Symptoms

Side effects from inhaled corticosteroids are not common, but may include sore throat or mouth, hoarseness, coughing or bronchial spasms, thrush and cataracts.WebMD: Inhaled corticosteroids for long-term control of asthma

Side effects from short-term "rescue" medications are more common, and may include wheezing, shortness of breath, diarrhea, chest pain, uneven heart beats, tremors and high blood pressure.Drugs.com: Albuterol

1. More than 22 million Americans, including children, suffer from asthmaWebMD: What Is Asthma?
2. An estimated 4,000 people die from asthma each year; asthma is listed as a contributing factor to another 7,000 deaths annuallyAsthma and Allergy Foundation of America: Mortality
3. More than two million people visit an emergency room each year because of asthmaWebMD: What Is Asthma?

The content on this page is not a substitute for professional medical advice. Please contact a physician for information on asthma.