A chronic respiratory condition, asthma causes inflammation of the airways in the lungs. This swelling causes the airways to constrict and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breathe. For some asthmatic patients, the condition can be a mild and occasional nuisance. However, for others, it can be a major concern, as it could severely impact their daily life.

Spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) is a hereditary sickness influencing the portion of the sensory system that controls the movement of voluntary muscles. The vast majority of the nerve cells that control muscles are situated in the spinal cord, which represents the word spinal given in the name of the ailment.