Exposure to certain irritants or allergens such as animals, chemicals, grasses, smoke, trees and weeds can cause the muscles surrounding the airway to spasm and cause narrowing of the bronchi or airways. This narrowing makes it hard to breathe air in and out.
Up to 80 percent of asthma patients have allergic triggers to their asthma, and more than 60 percent of allergy patients have symptoms of asthma or signs of asthma on breathing testing. Inhaling allergens such as dust mite droppings, mold, pet dander and pollen creates asthmatic symptoms. Airway obstruction, inflammation, coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness are common symptoms.
Many people with asthma don’t realize they have it. Sometimes the symptoms creep up so gradually that the person isn’t aware of the changes in how they feel, or how they restrict their activity to avoid asthma symptoms – they just accept it as what’s normal for them.