The bronchial tubes in the lungs enlarge and constrict during an asthma attack, making it difficult for air to flow freely. You may have wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and a tightness in your chest as a result of this inflammation. Asthma may wreak havoc on the respiratory system by narrowing airways and making it hard to breathe. Family medicine expert Dr. Daniel Kim of the Medical Î÷¹ÏÊÓÆµ in New York City offers some insight into the impacts and suggests some ways of reducing them.