More than 200 million people around the world suffering form asthma. "Asthma is a serious chronic illness that affects more than 17 million Americans; one third of whom are children," said Ernest P. Franck, President of the American Lung Association.

Asthma can start at any age, and the severity of attacks varies, but about a quarter of sufferers feel that it has a major impact on their lives. Severe attacks, characterized by a racing pulse, sweating, and breathlessness, are very frightening and can be dangerous if untreated. The major symptoms are as follow:

• 
  Increasing tightness in chest.
• Mild to moderate shortness of breath
• Restlessness or insomnia
• When breathing, a wheezing or whistling sound that can range from faint to clearly audible
• Urinary.
• Tiring quickly during exercise

Asthma is often associated with imbalances in the Lung, Liver or Kidney Meridians. Lung asthma will probably be most troublesome during the fall and may be associated with the feeling of grief. The parson may be unable to express grief or may constantly feel sad, perhaps never know what the sadness is about. Situations that cause grief may also aggravate the asthma.

When the asthma stems from Lung imbalance, often there is trouble exhaling. The person may treat too much mucus or not enough.

If the asthma is caused by an imbalance in the Liver Meridian, it may be most severe in the spring or after the person has been exposed to wind.

Asthma related to the Kidney Meridian may be most serve in the winter and may be aggravated by exposure to cold.