Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by difficulty in breathing due to inflammation and obstruction of airways. During an acute asthma attack, sudden worsening of the condition may lead to an increase in the severity of the symptoms. During an attack the air flow may become completely obstructed and the attack can therefore be life-threatening.
The continuing obstruction of airflow links asthma to another equally prevalent but still under-diagnosed lung disease, COPD (Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). The number of patients suffering from these diseases has increased dramatically over the years.