Asthma, a chronic lung condition, narrows your airways, making breathing tough, like sipping through a thin straw. While asthma can't be cured, it can be managed well. Most folks with asthma can lead a healthy, active life.

In the medical world, asthma means two things:

Lung function that's worse than the norm.
Breathing troubles that come and go, with symptoms like wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing, and chest tightness.

To diagnose it, we look at several things:

- A history of wheezing in the past.
- Family allergies or asthma history.
- No signs pointing to another problem.
- Breathing tests that show ups and downs.
- A positive response to inhaled meds.
- Asthma triggers vary—exercise, smoke, colds, allergens (like pollen).

For adults, after getting an asthma diagnosis, team up with our doctors. Create a plan tailored to your symptoms, lifestyle, and preferences. We will also teach you the right way to use inhalers.

For kids, management plans aim to keep life normal, based on how severe their asthma is. If they're already on meds, the goal is the lowest dose that keeps symptoms in check and flare-ups at bay.