Asthma varies a great deal from one person to another.
Symptoms can range from mild to moderate to severe and can be life threatening.
The episodes can come only occasionally or often. The symptoms of asthma are a major cause of time lost from school and work and sleep disturbances. However, with proper treatment these symptoms can almost always be controlled. Asthma cannot be cured, but it can be controlled with proper treatment. People with asthma can use medicine recommended by their doctor to prevent or relieve their symptoms, and they can learn ways to manage episodes.