The Unprofessional Guide to environmentally induced asthma

Chapter 1: What Is environmentally induced asthma, Really?

Important notice: This guide is for general informational and educational purposes only. It does not constitute medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before making any medical decisions. Never disregard or delay seeking professional medical advice because of something you read in this guide.

Okay. Breathe. Literally — take a slow breath in, and let it out. That might feel weird right now, because breathing might be exactly what's been scaring you lately. But let's start there, because that's what this whole thing is about.

You just got a diagnosis. Maybe you saw it coming after months of mysterious coughing fits and chest tightness. Maybe it came out of nowhere after a bad night that landed you in urgent care. However you got here, chances are you're feeling a jumble of things: scared, confused, maybe a little angry, and probably buried under a pile of terms you don't fully understand. That's where this guide comes in. This is the conversation you wish you could have with a friend who knows a lot about lungs and isn't going to make you feel stupid for asking basic questions. Because there are no stupid questions here. This is your body, and you deserve to know what's going on.

So what does this diagnosis actually mean?

At its most basic level, asthma is a condition where your airways — the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs — get