Breathing is essential for human life − it is the process through which the body acquires oxygen from the air in order to facilitate activities on a cellular level. When we inhale, air is pulled into our lungs down our respiratory tunnels, where they are filtered into a fine network of tubes, which are known as bronchi. There, the bloodstream extracts the oxygen from the air and distributes it throughout the entire body.

Bronchial asthma is a disorder which occurs when a person's bronchial tubes undergo severe swelling, making it very difficult for the person to inhale or exhale. In the event of an asthma attack - the pathways in the respiratory system become constricted as a result of its muscles being stretched taut; eventually causing it’s lining to become inflamed. This drastically reduces the person's air intake during breathing, leading to extreme uneasiness and raspy breathing, often accompanied by fits of severe coughing.

Bronchial asthma can also be caused when the bronchial tubes are clogged by mucus.

Existing cases of bronchial asthma can be further aggravated by coming in contact with many substances which irritate the human body, such as dust particles, numerous gases, noxious chemical vapours, cigarette smoke, car exhaust fumes etc..