MODEL RELEASED. Asthma relief. Young man using an inhaler to control an asthma attack. Asthma attacks vary in severity from breathlessness, dry cough, wheezing, or a feeling of chest tightness (as seen here), to chronic breathing difficulty. All symptoms are caused by narrowing of the bronchioles in the lungs and triggered by a variety of stimuli including infection, exertion, emotional stress, and allergens such as pollen and dust. Inhalers contain bronchodilator drugs (which widen the airways) and/or steroids (which reduce inflammation). When using an inhaler relief is usually rapid.