Lori

Hi everyone!
I have a couple of questions Im hoping someone could help me with. First of all, my father has a severe case of adult-onset asthma and my older brother has had asthma since he was a baby. I almost lost my father to a severe asthma attack 9 years ago and ever since then Im terrified of this. Im not sure if I have asthma or not, every now and then I get a slight "tightness" in my chest, but nothing to go to the ER for and actually I hardley notice it. Because of my family history of this does that pretty much gaurentee that I will develope asthma?? I am 21 years old and I was a pack-a-day smoker for 4 years and just recently quit about 4 months ago. I will never smoke again and I hope hope hope that smoking wont cause me to develope this if I havent already. I live in a cold climate also. I dont seem to have many "alergies" like my dad and brother have, but I know that doesnt mean much. Does EVERYone with asthma have to be on medicines and inhalers? or are there less severe cases that dont? I see the hell my family goes through with this and Im so scared that it is my future.
If anyone has any answers or comments I would greatly appreciate them, and also for all of you who read my story thank you Im glad I got my worries out there. Take care all
Lori