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What is Asthma?

By , About.com Guide

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Question: What is Asthma?
Answer:

It is important to make the distinction that Asthma is not COPD.

Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory lung disease characterized by:

  • Symptoms of recurrent cough, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness that are usually related to specific triggering events.
  • Airway narrowing that is partially or completely reversible
  • Increased airways responsiveness to a variety of stimuli.

Asthma is not just a childhood disease, it can occur at any age.

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