What happens in my body when I get asthma?

 

It all happens in the small airways of your lungs. When you breathe, the air goes down your airways into your lungs. Your airways are like little tubes which get smaller and smaller.  

 

When your asthma is under control the airways are clear and air flows easily in and out.  
 

When asthma is not under control the lining of the little tubes are thick, and have lots of mucous (like snot). This also makes the muscles around the outside of the tubes tighten. 

 

When this happens your chest feels tight, you will have a dry cough, and you will wheeze as you breathe out. You may also find it hard to talk.

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