Asthma is a disease of the airways in the lungs. No one knows why some people get asthma and some do not. There is no cure for asthma, but it can be controlled. Air travels in and out of the lungs through airways. With asthma, the airways become very sensitive and swollen. This causes extra mucus. The muscles around the airways also tighten. All this makes it hard to breathe. When this happens it is called a flare up or an attack. The symptoms of asthma are: Coughing Shortness of breath Tightness in the chest Wheezing Asthma can be controlled with medical care and proper drugs. Asthma triggers must also be controlled. Triggers are things that irritate the airways. Triggers can cause an asthma flare or attack. Some common triggers for asthma are: Mold Dust mites Animal dander Air pollution Perfume Smoke Alameda Alliance for Health Can Help We provide free classes and written materials for members and their families about asthma. The materials are available in other languages besides English. Interpreters are offered for classes. Call us at 510-747-4577 to learn more. For more resources click on the files below: For adults with asthma For parent(s) of a child with asthma About_asthma_English.pdf Asthma_Adult_Eng.pdf Asthma_Attacks_English.pdf Asthma_Triggers_2005_Eng.pdf DISKUS_English.pdf Severity_Questionnaire_Eng.pdf Smoking_Flyer_English.pdf Asthma Attacks_English.pdf Asthma Team_English.pdf AsthmaTriggers_2005_Eng.pdf Child Triggers_English.pdf DISKUS_English.pdf Inhaled Steroids_English.pdf Severity Questionaire_Eng.pdf Smoking Flyer_English.pdf SpacerMDIs_Eng.pdf Your Child and Asthma_Eng.pdf Other Links National Health Information Center (Health Finder) National Health Information Center (Health Finder) http://www.healthfinder.gov/