Asthma is a relatively common lung disease that causes inflammation and, in turn, swelling of the airways. This causes shortness of breath, tightness in the chest, and wheezing and/or coughing when trying to breathe. The severity depends solely on the case in question; some people experience only mild discomfort, while others experience extremely painful attacks (Chen, 2015). Attacks are usually triggered by inhalation of a certain substance that reacts with the bronchial muscles. The development of a better understanding of the nature of asthma, its effects, contributing factors and who it affects has contributed to the process of treating asthma. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an Original Essay To fully understand the disease, you need to understand exactly what it does to the body. With asthma, when a certain substance is inhaled, it causes inflammation of the bronchial muscles of the airways. This limits the amount of air that reaches the lungs, causing discomfort and difficulty breathing. It can also increase the amount of mucus produced, which can make conditions worse by narrowing the airways even more. This can become fatal if the airway closes completely. The exact cause of asthma is currently unknown, although researchers believe that a large contributor to the development of the disease is simply genetics. Like most diseases, if there is a family history of asthma among your relatives, you are also at risk for the disease. Shumaker (2013) believes that “asthma can also develop due to some types of respiratory complications during early childhood.” Exposure to certain airborne toxins has also been considered a possible factor. This chronic disease can affect anyone at any age, although most cases develop in childhood. This disease can be managed with the help of your doctor. Asthma medicine is usually self-administered via a device called an inhaler. The most popular type of inhaler is known as a beta-agonist bronchodilator. Beta-agonist drugs are used to provide rapid relief from the coughing, wheezing, and chest tightness associated with an asthma attack. They work by smoothing the bronchial muscles in the airways that have become inflamed, allowing air to travel to the lungs much more easily. You can make one or two sprays from the inhaler every four to six hours to safely ensure the disappearance of symptoms and the cessation of any discomfort. If the inhaler fails to do its intended job and your symptoms continue or worsen, you are strongly advised to go to hospital. Please note: this is just a sample. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Customize EssayIn conclusion, asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. For most people, symptoms can be caused by exposure to things like pollen, pet dander, or large amounts of dust. Exercise and cold air are also known to be common triggers (Bennett, 2016). Asthma attacks or symptoms can be avoided by avoiding trigger substances. For the average modern person, dealing with asthma is easy and safe with the right knowledge and precautions.