Asthma is not a disease, it is a condition. It is more of a respiratory problem, than an ailment. It is a chronic condition that causes difficulty in breathing, usually triggered by identifiable stressors or agents. 
Asthma sufferers experience constriction of the airways (the bronchial tubes leading to the lungs), which reduces airflow in and out of the lungs. The result: airways inflame, narrow, and fill up with mucus; which leads to difficult breathing, panic, shortness of breath, vomiting, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, and sometimes suffocating.
Did U Know?
More than 15million Americans, children and adults, have asthma? Triggers of asthma attacks have grown rapidly, with air quality (allergens in the air, pollen, pet dander, smoke, etc) taking the lead. Asthma is now a real health hazard, especially in metropolitan cities.
See WebMD’s 10 Worst Cities For Asthma. Hope your city does not make the list!
While there is no known cause or cure for the condition (because it is not a disease), triggers of an attack are constantly growing. Triggers are often identifiable, and the condition can be controlled to reduce the intensity and frequency of attacks. Usually, children outgrow the condition.
Types of asthma
All types of asthma (allergic asthma, exercise-induced asthma, cough-variant asthma, occupational asthma, and nocturnal asthma) can be grouped into two broad categories: extrinsic and intrinsic.
Extrinsic asthma, the more common type, is a respiratory condition triggered by allergic reactions to external agents such as molds, pollen, dust mites, pet hair, drugs (especially aspirin), smoke (cigarette smoke, smoke from fireplaces or wood stoves); exercise, foods (e.g. eggs, shellfish, Garlic, wheat, sugar, cow’s milk, soy, peanuts, salads, and fresh fruits), thunderstorms, cockroach excrement, rat urine, athlete’s foot (trichophyton fungus), perfume, including those smelly perfume-sample strips bound into magazines, and food additives such as food colors, preservatives, and MSG (monosodium glutamate).
Intrinsic asthma, on the other hand, is triggered by internal factors such as genetics, infections (e.g. colds and flu), pollutants (e.g. heavy metals), vaccinations, stress (usually emotional), and adrenal dysfunction. Intrinsic asthma is usually connected to one or more organs in the body. This is often true with heart trouble and kidney disease. In most cases, intrinsic asthma improves only when the affected organ is nourished and/or treated.
Asthma triggers
Any number of things can spark an asthma attack, from allergies to thunderstorms, and even a memory. Identifying asthma triggers is the first step to gaining control of your asthma.
The most common trigger is allergies. Half of all people over age 30 who have asthma also have allergies. Triggers of asthma symptoms vary for different people. However, one thing is consistent with attacks: airways come in contact with a trigger; the airways become inflamed, narrow, and fill with mucus.
Determining the prevailing factors at the onset of an attack is the first step to identifying an asthma trigger. Although there are many different asthma triggers, you may not react to all of them. Some people have only one trigger, while others have many. A history of reaction, and skin or blood testing can help identify triggers.
Using a peak flow meter may also help narrow down trigger suspects. A peak flow meter measures how much and how quickly air is exhaled from the lungs. It can alert you to changes in your breathing and the onset of asthma symptoms.
Once triggers are identified, for Pete’s sake, avoid them! Some asthma sufferers still deny their pet’s hair is trigger for them. Household cleaners too, are another trigger asthma sufferers do not readily admit to. Hello ladies, that’s one way to get your husbands to do the scrubbing!
Air borne triggers make some cities more risky than others. See worst cities for asthma.
Asthma control
Controlling asthma requires paying attention to various body systems. Asthma is both a respiratory problem and a nervous/glandular system problem. Asthmatics typically have respiratory congestion associated with anxiety or panic which causes constriction of the airways. Most asthmatics also have a hiatal hernia, which is also a symptom of nervous stress.
Decongestants, expectorants and other techniques can help you gain control over asthma so you can thrive. For more information see “exercising with asthma” and “tips on respiratory health”.
Strengthening the digestive system may also be required. Digestive enzymes or digestive tonics are often helpful. Asthma sufferers almost always have acid reflux, GERD (Gastro Esophageal Reflux Disease), heartburn, and insomnia; all of which are related to the digestive, respiratory, and nervous systems.
Control asthma; don’t let it control you.