- Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects over 3 million Canadians, with no cure but it can be managed. It involves inflammation and narrowing of the airways.
- Symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, wheezing and chest tightness and are caused by bronchioconstriction in response to triggers.
- Asthma is treated through medications like rescue inhalers for sudden symptoms and controller medications taken daily to prevent symptoms, as well as avoiding triggers like allergens, infections and exercise. Proper management is key to living normally with asthma.