🌬️ Asthma
PH
PureHealthness Editorial Team · Health writers & reviewers
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
✔ Transparent sourcing · Some articles are AI-drafted, then reviewed & fact-checked by our team
📝 Last reviewed: August 2026
| In brief | Recurrent wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and a persistent cough. |
|---|---|
| Category | Respiratory |
🔍 What causes it
Chronic inflammation of the airways. Triggers include allergens (dust mites, pollen, pet dander), cold air, exercise, smoke, respiratory infections and stress. Often runs in families.
⚠️ Key symptoms
- Wheezing — a whistling sound when breathing out
- Shortness of breath, especially at night or early morning
- Chest tightness — like a band around the chest
- Persistent cough, often worse at night or after exercise
💊 Treatment
Inhalers are the core: relievers (blue — quick relief during attacks) and preventers (brown — daily to control inflammation). Trigger avoidance, breathing techniques and a written action plan. See a doctor to confirm and review.
🛡️ Prevention
Avoid known triggers, keep home dust-free, don't smoke, get the flu vaccine, exercise with a warm-up (and reliever if advised).
🚨 See a doctor / red flags: An attack that doesn't improve with the reliever inhaler, severe breathlessness, blue lips, or inability to speak in full sentences — emergency.
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