Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the bronchial tubes in the lungs. As the bronchial tubes allow air to flow in and out of the lungs, asthma can make it difficult to breathe and cause additional symptoms, such as coughing and wheezing.

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There are several different categories of asthma. Every asthmatic is treated uniquely. These categories can be divided into allergic and non-allergic asthma and by age of onset, like preschool, school age, and adult onset. Many asthma sufferers also have allergies and experience a type of asthma known as allergic asthma. Sometimes, otherwise healthy individuals will experience asthma during exercise, which is known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction or, more commonly, as exercise-induced asthma.

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Those who work in environments that contain fumes, gases, and other substances that affect respiration can also experience what is known as occupational asthma. Finally, millions of children develop asthma in their earliest years of development and have what is referred to as childhood asthma.

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The symptoms of asthma can vary widely from one patient to the next. Signs of asthma can also look very different in children as compared to adults.

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General symptoms of asthma include:
*Wheezing
*Shortness of breath
*Chronic coughing
*Inability to sleep due to wheezing and coughing
*Tightening or pain in the chest