Asthma Flare-Up (En español: Ataque de asma) Say: az-muh flare-up A person who has asthma may go through times when he or she breathes just fine or has only a little trouble. But when a person has a lot of trouble with wheezing, coughing, or shortness of breath, it's called an asthma flare-up, or attack. Stuff like allergies, a cold, cigarette smoke, exercise, or even cold air can trigger an asthma flare-up. Back to Articles Related Articles Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.