Chronic asthma is a lung illness that produces periodic episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. It narrows and irritates the airways by contraction of the smooth muscle in the bronchioles.In most individuals, there is a sudden onset of cold symptoms, such as nasal congestion and sneezing. As the attack ensues, there is an increasing insufficiency of air, causing distress and anxiety where the individual loses control of their breathing process.