What is "asthma"?

What is "asthma"?

William Berger (Allergist and Immunologist) gives expert video advice on: What is "asthma"?; Can people die from asthma?; What causes asthma? and more...

Asthma is a disease of the lungs. Asthma tends to affect the airways to the lungs we refer to as bronchi. Asthma causes swelling; tightening of the muscles around the airways of the lungs; inflammation, which includes what we refer to as edema, which is swelling of the interior; and mucus formation, that phlegm that people cough up. Asthma very often runs in families; affects people of all ages, but primarily children and young adults; and very often is associated with allergies. Asthma is one of the most common chronic diseases, and the most common chronic disease in children.