Medicines can help control asthma, and regular healthcare and an action plan are important parts of your treatment., 10 Drugs Commonly Prescribed for Asthma Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes inflammation and swelling of the airways of the lungs. People with asthma experience flare-ups, which are sudden attacks of symptoms. These symptoms include shortness of breath, chronic cough, chest tightness, and wheezing., Asthma is a condition that causes long-term (chronic) inflammation in your airways. The inflammation makes them react to certain triggers, like pollen, exercise or cold air. During these attacks, your airways narrow (bronchospasm), swell up and fill with mucus. This makes it hard to breathe or causes you to cough or wheeze. Without treatment, these flare-ups can be fatal., , , .