• Question: How do we get asthma.

    Asked by cam34 to Carolyn, Peter, Richard, Sara, Siana on 18 Nov 2015.
    • Photo: Richard Unwin

      Richard Unwin answered on 18 Nov 2015:

      Hi Cam,

      Asthma is most commonly caused by an allergic reaction, often to dust of other things in the air. They irritate our windpipe (trachea) and that irritation can cause the windpipe to become inflamed or swell up (similar to how your skin might when you get a nettle sting, say). This causes the airway to narrow, and can make breathing difficult. Inhalers like ventolin reduce that inflammation, widening the airway and helping you to breath.

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