“Asthma is an inflammatory disease of the airways. When the air passages get narrowed, the air entering the lung is reduced , thereby delivery of oxygen from air to the bloodstream is reduced. The symptoms occur when the lining of the bronchi swells and the muscles around the bronchi tighten,” says Dr. Gopi Krishna Yedlapati, Consultant Interventional Pulmonologist, Yashoda Hospitals Hyderabad.

Asthma is a genetic disease which can be controlled well but not cured. Asthma attacks occur after the patients get exposed to allergens, dust, pollution, extreme weather conditions, viral infections, and also occur in special conditions like emotional disturbances, exercise and some drugs like painkillers, adds Dr Yedlapati.