Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the lining of the main air passages of the lungs, the bronchial tubes become inflamed. The muscles of the bronchial walls tighten and extra mucus is produced, causing the airways to narrow. The result could range from frequent wheezing with a cough to severe difficulty in breathing. In extreme cases, an asthma attack can become life-threatening event.  In this form, otherwise harmless allergens, such as dust mites, cat and dog dander and other environmental allergens trigger an asthma attack. Asthma symptoms are often worse in the morning and late at night.

What Causes Asthma Symptoms to Appear?
Dust mites, pollens, mold, pet dander, smoke, household sprays, cleaning materials, paints, perfumes, respiratory infections, sinus infections, exercise and hyperventilating (rapid, shallow breathing) can all trigger an Asthma attack as well as Intense emotional experiences and sudden changes in weather.

Some of the key symptoms of asthma can be:
• Coughing
• Wheezing - constant or intermittent
• Wheezing or a whistling sounds on exhalation
• Shortness of breath or rapid breathing
• Chest tightness
(Not all children exhibit symptoms each and every day.)

Asthma Statistics (California)
Recent data collected by the California Department of Health Services in 2003, shows that 14.8 percent of children and 12.3 percent of adults in Californian, an estimated 4.5 million individuals, have been diagnosed with asthma. About 40,000 Californians are hospitalized every year because of asthma. In California, asthma disproportionately affects children and young adults with prevalence being the highest among children 12-17.
Today, over 600 people die from asthma each year in California alone.