Asthma causes serious breathing difficulty
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by bronchoconstriction (tightening of muscles surrounding the airways), airway inflammation (swelling), and increased mucus production in the airways, making breathing more difficult. During normal breathing, air flows freely into and out of the lungs, with mucus typically shielding the airways from environmental irritants such as dust, bacteria, and smoke. However, during an asthma episode, the airways become overly responsive to environmental triggers, airways may tighten and constrict, and mucus production my increase substantially, resulting in wheezing, coughing, breathlessness, or tightness in the chest.
While there is currently no cure for asthma, it can be treated by taking medicines every day that prevent (control) symptoms from developing, using inhalable (quick relief) medicines when necessary, avoiding things that cause (trigger) asthma symptoms to flare up, and living a healthy lifestyle. It’s important to work with your health care provider to create an asthma self-management plan (also called an asthma action plan or AAP) that works for you.
What is being done about asthma in Minnesota?
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Asthma in Minnesota: A Strategic Framework 2026-2030 outlines efforts to improve asthma care and management across Minnesota. It is intended to reach and reflect the priorities of all communities from Greater Minnesota to the Twin Cities metro area, children and youth to elderly, and individuals of all abilities, family structures, and other differences that contribute to the richness of our state. The Minnesota Asthma Program (MAP) invites health care providers, schools, local public health, Tribal health, community health workers, trusted messengers, businesses, community organizations, and faith communities to read and make use of the Framework.
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Minnesota Asthma Alliance (MAA) includes individuals from health care, local public health, Tribal health, schools, local business, and nonprofit organizations that have professional and/or personal experience with asthma and commitment to tackling asthma across Minnesota. The MAA meets quarterly as a full group to exchange ideas and to collectively problem-solve and strategize with Asthma Program staff on activities and initiatives.
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Asthma Program website offers data, asthma education, resources, and training tools to support anyone who works on asthma and people who live with asthma.