Pathopharmacological Foundations for Advanced Nursing Practice Western Governors University Investigative Disease Process Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease that causes restrictions and narrows the airways. It causes difficulty breathing, shortness of breath and wheezing just to name a few. This disease affects people of all ages but is common in to start in childhood. The symptoms of asthma can range in severity from mild to an asthma attack, which could be fatal if not immediately treated. Asthma affects about 24.6 million people in the US, and the prevalence is increasing [CITATION McC14 \l 1033 ]. If treated and managed well, patients can live semi-normal lives with this chronic disease. A1. Pathophysiology The cause of asthma is unknown, but has been tied to a...