Asthma is a long-term problem in the tubes that carry air into your lungs that can make it hard for you to breathe. These airways get so narrow that air can’t move freely. It can cause serious wheezing and breathlessness, known as asthma attacks.
If you have asthma, the inside walls of the airways in your lungs can become inflamed and swollen. In addition, membranes in your airway linings may secrete excess mucus.
With asthma, it is difficult to get air in and out of your lungs. A brief description of the structure and function of the lungs and air passages may help you understand your disease. The lungs are two large, soft organs of sponge-like consistency located within the chest.