Asthma

This passage describes the disease called asthma and discusses ways it can be treated.

Lexile Level: 920L

Categories: Sports & Health

People with asthma often have trouble breathing. Asthma is a disease that causes the airways of the lungs to be swollen and inflamed. When this happens, the airways are smaller, which makes it harder to breathe. People with asthma are often very sensitive to things that might not bother other people, including smoke and pollution. Symptoms of asthma include coughing, wheezing, and tightness in the chest. If symptoms are very bad, it's called an asthma attack. Asthma attacks are very serious and require medical treatment right away. People have died from untreated asthma attacks. Asthma can't be cured, but there are many medicines available today that allow people to have fewer symptoms and live normal lives. Asthma is more common than you might think. In fact, the condition is one of the most common reasons that kids miss school. If you have asthma, remember to take your medicine and take care of yourself.