I've had asthma since I was a small child, and I've been fortunate enough to have fewer problems with it as I've gotten older. Asthma attacks can come on slowly or suddenly, and can be triggered by a number of different things, depending on the person. My attacks were brought on by allergies and physical activity, particularly in hot and humid environments. The attacks start with a tight sensation in the chest, and are followed by wheezing and further difficulty getting air into the lungs. As the attack progresses, breathing becomes very shallow and the tightness and uncomfortable feeling in the chest increases. I've learned to manage my asthma by learning what situations to avoid and recognizing the early signs of an attack.