Asthma is a health condition where your airways can narrow and swell and can produce extra mucus. This makes breathing very difficult and triggers wheezing and coughing when you breathe out and also causes shortness of breath. For some, asthma is a minor problem. For others, this can be a major problem that will interfere with daily activities. This can lead to life-threatening asthma attacks.   Asthma is not curable, but the symptoms are controllable. Asthma, as a condition, can change over time. So, it is important that you track your signs and symptoms, adjust your treatment as necessary and work with your doctor to determine what path is right for you.   Asthma is placed into two categories based on the cause and severity of symptoms. Asthma will be defined as:   Intermittent - this type of asthma will come and go and you will often feel normal between attacks.   Persistent - this type of asthma means you have symptoms much of the time. Symptoms can range from mild to severe. Healthcare providers will base the severity on how frequently you have symptoms. They will also consider how you function during an attack.