What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a long-term, chronic lung disease that causes episodes of coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. This webpage explains how asthma impacts the respiratory system, what causes it to develop and common asthma triggers.
How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
Like a skilled detective, your doctor combines information from your family and symptom history, physical exam, and medical tests to determine whether asthma or some other cause is responsible for your symptoms. This resource explains what you need to know for an accurate diagnosis.
Severe Asthma Awareness Campaign
Patients who experience asthma symptoms more than once a month and experience limitations to everyday activities are diagnosed with severe asthma. Learn more about severe asthma from Allergy & Asthma Network and the CHEST Foundation.
Asthma and Exercise
Exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) occurs when airway muscle spasms constrict airflow and cause shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and fatigue. Find out what causes EIB and how to manage it so you can continue to exercise.
Asthma and Pregnancy
For many expectant mothers, asthma emerges as one of the most common complications of pregnancy and it presents unique challenges. This resource provides moms-to-be with how asthma affects pregnancy – and vice versa – as well as info on approved asthma medications.
Asthma In Children
Many children with asthma have symptoms before they turn 5 years old. It can be hard for parents to recognize symptoms. Here's a primer on what to look for in pediatric asthma, as well as first steps in managing and treating the condition.
Asthma Action Plan
Patients work with doctors to develop a personalized Asthma Action Plan that details a plan of treatment, including preventive care. Download a free sample Asthma Action Plan.
5 Myths About Asthma
Do children outgrow asthma? Is there always wheezing with asthma? Are the medications habit-forming? Some common myths debunked here.
Advocacy
From talking with legislators on Capitol Hill to speaking at local town halls, the Network supports issues that improve care for people with asthma and allergies. Our goal is to raise visibility and influence policy that improves access to care and promotes life-saving research. Join us – find out about our issues and help us keep asthma front and center on the national healthcare agenda.
Research
Interested in participating in a clinical trial, research study or focus group to help evaluate a new asthma treatment or cure? Browse here to find out how – and lend your voice to rigorous, evidence-based, scientific drug development.
ATS Breathing in America Book
The Breathing in America: Diseases, Progress, and Hope compilationbriefly describes respiratory diseases and the progress that is being made in the quest to find their cures.
ATS Patient Information Series —Asthma
The ATS Patient Information Series is a public service of the American Thoracic Society and its journal the AJRCCM (www.atsjournals.org). The information appearing in this series is for educational purposes only and should not be used as a substitute for the medical advice of one's personal health care provider.
