These particles can penetrate deep into the lung and are known to worsen existing heart or respiratory problems. There are plenty of known triggers for asthma attacks. Each person with asthma reacts to a different set of triggers. Identifying which triggers apply is important if asthma attacks are to be prevented. The condition varies a great deal from one person to another.
Symptoms range from mild to moderate to severe and can be life-threatening.
Attacks can be only occasional or frequent. 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. Sometimes the only symptom is a chronic cough which may occur only at night or during exercise. Some people think they have recurrent bronchitis, since respiratory infections usually settle in the chest in a person predisposed to asthma.