How to determine if you have asthma

22 million Americans—men, women and children—have asthma. It can be deadly so it is important to determine whether or not your wheezing is really asthma.

• Asthma is defined as reversible wheezing.

• If you wheeze at any time during exercise, walking or while you have a sinus infection then you have asthma.

• Asthma is a reaction in the lung and small airways. When they constrict it results in wheezing.

• Asthma can be mild where there is a little bit of a wheeze and a mild constriction and tightness in the chest.

• Asthma can also be very severe where your lungs shut down and you can’t breathe at all.

• Typically for most people that have asthma it flares up when their sinuses act up or when they exercise.

• Sinus problems and allergies can lead to asthma.

• Acid reflux disease can also lead to asthma when the acid refluxes into your lung.

• A specialist will really be able to help you determine what is causing your asthma.

• If you can treat the person/child as a whole, which means treating all symptoms such as allergies and sinuses, you can control the asthma.

• Asthma in the inner cities is more common due to crowded conditions.

• Allergies, a contributor to asthma, are increasing due to global warming and people living in buildings with mold and other allergens.