Asthma is a disease in which inflammation of the airways causes
airflow into and out of the lungs to be restricted. When an asthma
attack occurs, mucus production is increased, muscles of the
bronchial tree become tight, and the lining of the air passages
swells, reducing airflow and producing the characteristic wheezing
sound.
Review Date: 07/14/2010
Reviewed By: Neil K. Kaneshiro, MD, MHA, Clinical Assistant Professor of
Pediatrics, University of Washington School of Medicine. Also
reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.
A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)
