This webpage will examine the disease of Asthma and the causes, symptoms, evolutionary explanations, and treatment of the disease. 100's of Millions of individuals around the world are subjected to asthma, creating breathing difficulties for those who suffer from the illness. Asthma is found in 3-5% of adults and 7-10% of children. Half of the people with asthma develop it before age 10, and most develop it before age 30. Asthma symptoms can decrease over time, especially in children. (http://health.allrefer.com/health/asthma-info.html)

Symptoms of Asthma

The following are the main symptoms of asthma. Click on the symptom for further information.

• Shortness of breath - especially with exertion or at night.
• Wheezing - a whistling or hissing sound when breathing out.

• Coughing - may be chronic; usually worse at night and early morning. May occur after exercise or when exposed to cold, dry air.

The symptoms of asthma are caused when airways (the tubes which carry air to and from the lungs) narrow and become inflamed. This may happen if there is too much mucus being produced by the airways, or there is swelling or spasm in the lining of your airways.(http://hcd2.bupa.co.uk/fact_sheets/Mosby_factsheets/asthma.html)

Exposure to allergenes may cause the immune system to release certain enzymes from the immunoglobulin-E antibody molecules that lay in wait and are attached to mast cells. The enzymes may stimulate smooth cells, that cause asthma.(Williams&Neese, 1996)