Asthma: Live life without asthma getting in the way

When the airways in your lungs get irritated, they swell. This makes it harder for air to flow between your nose, mouth and lungs.

There is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled. At UW Health, we teach you how to avoid things that trigger your asthma and provide care when needed. 

Asthma often occurs along with allergies or other immune responses. At UW Health, two specialized teams of doctors treat adults and children with asthma. Our adult and pediatric asthma programs are the largest in Wisconsin.

A trigger is something that makes asthma worse. Triggers are different for each person with asthma. They include:

• Allergies

• Certain medicines 

• Changes in temperature and weather

• Chemicals and strong smells

• Cigarette smoke

• Colds and flu

• Exercise

Signs of asthma

Common symptoms of asthma are:

• Coughing

• Shortness of breath

• Tightness in your chest

• Wheezing (a high-pitched whistling sound)

You may experience all of these symptoms or only some. 

What causes asthma?

Asthma is the most common persistent condition in children. One in 15 Americans have asthma. 

An asthma episode makes the airways in your lungs get narrow. You feel like you can’t breathe. If not well-managed, asthma can be life threatening. Doctors don’t know exactly why some people get asthma. The condition can run in families.

We do know that smoking is a risk factor for asthma. Children are at increased risk for developing asthma if:

• Their mothers smoke while pregnant 

• They live in homes where people smoke 

Your treatment depends on what triggers your asthma. Your care may change over time, especially as you enter adulthood.