Asthma is a chronic lung disorder that can make breathing difficult. It features narrow, inflamed airways (bronchial tubes). "Asthma" is an ancient Greek word meaning "short breath," and as the name implies, it can leave you gasping for air. One of the tell-tale signs of an asthma attacks is wheezing with difficulty breathing. Other asthma symptoms include chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath.

When the breathing tubes of the lungs become chronically inflamed, they can become sensitive to inhaled environmental allergens and irritants that can trigger asthma. These environmental triggers include pollen, pollution, and tobacco smoke. Exercise can also be an asthma trigger for some.

Types

There are many different types of asthma. The most common type is bronchial asthma, which affects the bronchi in the lungs.

Additional forms of asthma include childhood asthma and adult-onset asthma. In adult-onset asthma, symptoms don’t appear until at least age 20.

Other specific types of asthma are described below.

Allergic asthma (extrinsic asthma)

Allergens trigger this common type of asthma. These might include:

• pet dander from animals like cats and dogs
• food
• cold
• pollutions
• dust

Allergic asthma is often seasonal because it often goes hand-in-hand with seasonal allergies.

Symptoms

The most common symptom of asthma is wheezing, a squealing or whistling sound made when you breathe.

Other asthma symptoms may include:

• coughing, especially at night, when laughing, or during exercise
• tightness in the chest
• shortness of breath
• difficulty talking
• anxiousness or panic
• fatigue

The type of asthma that you have can determine which symptoms you experience.

Not everyone with asthma will experience these particular symptoms. If you think the symptoms, you’re experiencing could be a sign of a condition such as asthma, make an appointment to see your doctor.

The first indication that you have asthma may not be an actual asthma attack.