Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition which constricts and swells up the lung airways. This leads to excessive production of mucus and sets off symptoms like chest discomfort, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. Over 25 million people in the country which includes both, children and adults, suffer from this condition. However, the intensity of the symptoms varies across patients. Diagnosing asthma at times can get tricky as it emerges because of distinctive triggers.

• Allergic asthma
  Commonly, an asthma attack triggers when allergens like spores, mold, pollen, or pet dander enter the system and cause inflammation in the lungs. On occasions, even food allergies related to dairy products, yeast or gluten can cause asthma.
• Exercise-induced asthma
  This form of asthma occurs due to physical exertion or exercise. Individuals with asthma might experience symptoms after working out. However, numerous people including athletes can develop this condition only while they are exercising.
• Cough-induced asthma
  This type of asthma is rather problematic to diagnose as it mimics symptoms of other health conditions such as post-nasal drip caused by hay fever, chronic bronchitis or sinus. At times severe coughing can be the only symptom due to which it can go underdiagnosed and undertreated for a long time.
• Occupational asthma
  Occupational asthma is described as a condition which is prompted by a specific irritant in a person’s place of work. It could either be chemicals, gases, smoke, fumes or dust. In this case, the asthmatic symptoms only arise when the patient is in such environment.
• Nocturnal asthma
  Nighttime or nocturnal asthma is a common type of this respiratory disorder. Usually, patients with asthma have a higher possibility of experiencing symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath during sleep. This is because asthma is strongly influenced by circadian rhythms (sleep-wake cycle).

The medical treatment depends on the type of asthma one is suffering from. Doctors could prescribe the use of drugs such as inhaled, oral or intravenous corticosteroids, long or short-acting beta blockers, leukotriene modifiers, combination inhalers and allergy medications. If the symptoms are severe then bronchial thermoplasty will be used to ease its effects.