Asthma (phon. : [Asm]) is a non-infectious inflammatory illness which affects bronchuses. They find in asthma :

• an inflammation of the bronchial epithelium, with notably a swelling (edema) ;
• a bronchoconstriction : shrinkage of the bronchial smooth muscles, or spasm ;
• a hypersecretion of phlegm.une hypersécrétion de mucus.

All this draws away a partial blockage of bronchuses, therefore an increase of the resistance of air routes (more particularly of small air routes) and therefore an increase of respiratory job.

Asthma is not a psychological illness. The reaction of subject during a crisis can nevertheless aggravate its respiratory difficulties (panic, tears).