WPS Health Insurance

Asthma

Illustration of lungs with stethoscope.Asthma causes swelling and inflammation in the airways that lead to your lungs. When asthma flares up, the airways tighten and become narrower. This keeps the air from passing through easily and makes it hard for you to breathe. These flare-ups are also called “asthma attacks.”

What causes asthma?

Experts don’t know exactly what causes asthma. But there are some things we do know:

  • Asthma runs in families.
  • Asthma is much more common in people with allergies, though not everyone with allergies gets asthma. And not everyone with asthma has allergies.
  • Pollution may cause asthma or make it worse.

Symptoms of asthma can be mild or severe and may include wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and tightness in the chest.

Learn about Asthma in Teens and Adults…

Other Resources

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