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What Is Asthma?

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Asthma: Breathe Easy

According to the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute, roughly 20 million Americans have been diagnosed with asthma. If you're one of them, you already know that finding reliable information can be harder than catching your breath. In this guide you'll find the sites that will provide the information you are looking for and help you breathe easy. Click here to read this guide in Spanish.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is the medical term used to describe the narrowing of the airways in the lungs. Symptoms can include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and trouble breathing.

Dulcinea's Insight

  • Health writing is often heavily laden with jargon and foreign terms. The Cleveland Clinic has taken steps to alleviate some of this burden by supplying a glossary defining important, frequently appearing asthma terms. Reference it for clarification as you're reading.
  • Children and pregnant women are affected differently than the average adult and thus require special resources. In this section we include general asthma resources but also sites with information catering to these two groups.

Dulcinea's Picks

For overviews ...
MedicineNet presents this thorough, well-organized overview of asthma. On the main page it dispels some of the myths surrounding the condition, describes what asthma is, what can trigger an attack, the types of asthma, treatment, and more. Visit the "Asthma Index" for a treasure trove of references covering a range of topics, from news to medications and procedures to doctor's insight about respiratory diseases and a checklist to bring with you to your first doctor's appointment.
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Medem hosts the article, "Advice From Your Allergist on Asthma," which answers questions like, "What is the difference between allergies and asthma?" and, "What is the best treatment?" In addition, it explains potential triggers for asthma attacks, including exercise, viral respiratory infections, cold air, and even aspirin in very susceptible individuals.
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Mayo Clinic provides this in-depth summary of asthma, including causes, diagnosis, treatment, prevention, and more. This site also offers helpful self-care tips for asthmatics to lessen the possibilities of attacks including exercising, reducing pet dander, and controlling heartburn.
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Video Reference

This video provides a general overview of asthma, including symptoms, means of detection, risk factors and more, as well as clear explanations and commentary from both doctors and patients.
For the mechanics of breathing ...
The National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute's

explains how the lungs work, how our breathing is controlled and includes a diagram of the respiratory system.

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For children ...
KidsHealth writes this article explaining asthma so that all ages can understand the condition with specific sections for kids, teens, and parents. This site also provides an animated demo for children on how to use their peak flow meters.
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For pregnant women ...
The American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology states that "about 8 percent of women are affected by asthma during their childbearing years." Possible complications from asthma during pregnancy for both the mother and the baby are discussed, as well as which asthmatic medicines to use and how.
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For statistics ...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention offers a comprehensive list of asthma statistics. Did you know that, as of 2005, 8.9 percent of children had asthma?
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For information on asthma-related legislation and policies ...
The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
offers information on their National Asthma Control Program and general information about asthma. This site branches out a bit from other overviews of asthma, also providing information on legislation and policy concerning asthma, and a section, "Data and Surveillance," which presents detailed survey findings.
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Types of Asthma

Depending on which resource you read, there are as few as four types of asthma, or as many as six. ... read more »

Asthma Diagnosis and Treatment

Wheezing, coughing, and having overall difficulty breathing? There are several ways for you or your ... read more »

Asthma Support

If you're interested in joining an organization to learn more about asthma or asthma medication or ... read more »

Research and News on Asthma

Curiosity piqued and would like to read more? From academic journals to online blogs, our Picks ... read more »

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