Lesson 6 of 8

Asthma

Goal: Describe how asthma affects the airways.

Puzzles for this lesson

Asthma makes the airways sensitive. In an asthma attack they get narrower, so it is hard to move air in and out.

In an attack the muscles around the bronchioles tighten. The lining swells and makes extra mucus.
Less air gets through. The person wheezes, coughs and feels short of breath.
Triggers such as pollen, dust, smoke, cold air or exercise can set off an attack.
A reliever inhaler gives a medicine that is breathed straight into the airways. It relaxes the muscles, so the airways open up again.

Your turn

This lesson’s activity starts here in a moment.

I can describe what happens to the airways in an attack.I can say how an inhaler helps.

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Bronchi Two tubes that carry air from the trachea into the lungs

Bronchioles Small tubes inside the lungs

Asthma A condition in which the airways sometimes get narrower

For teachers: AQA 3.8.3