If you want to see more scientifically accurate 3D medical images, please subscribe to our channel: /nucleushealthvideose MEDICAL ANIMATION TRANSCRIPT: Asthma is a lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. Normally, as you inhale, air flows freely through your windpipe (trachea), then through large tubes called bronchi, through smaller tubes called bronchioles, and finally into tiny sacs called alveoli. Tiny blood vessels called capillaries surround the alveoli. Oxygen from the air you breathe passes into the capillaries, and then carbon dioxide from your body passes out of the capillaries and into the alveoli so your lungs can get rid of it when you exhale. The bronchioles expand when the air is warm, moist and free of irritants and allergy-causing substances called allergens. When the air is cold or dry, or contains irritants or allergens, the bronchioles constrict. If you have asthma, your airways often become inflamed and swollen. Some substances can cause inflamed airways to overreact, leading to an asthma attack. Triggers for asthma attacks are slightly different for each person, but they typically include outdoor irritants and allergens such as pollen, smoke, pollution, and cold weather; indoor irritants and allergens such as mold, pet dander, dust mites, and cockroach droppings; allergy-causing foods such as fish, shellfish, eggs, peanuts, and soy; and conditions such as respiratory infections, stress, strong emotions, and exercise. Symptoms of an asthma attack include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. During an asthma attack, also known as a bronchospasm, the muscles around your airways tighten and the wall of your airways becomes even more inflamed. Your airways also produce thick mucus that narrows them even more, making it difficult to breathe. If you have asthma, your doctor may prescribe medications to reduce inflammation in your airways, the tightening of the muscles around your airways, or the secretion of mucus in your airways. During an asthma attack, you may need to use a short-acting rescue medication called a bronchodilator. This medication causes your airway muscles to relax quickly and relieves your symptoms within minutes. Since there is no cure for asthma, the goal is to prevent you from having an asthma attack by using long-acting anti-inflammatory control medications. If you take these every day, they will reduce inflammation in your airways by making your airways less sensitive to asthma attack triggers. ANH12078