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| Asthma is a disease that causes narrowing in the small breathing tubes in you lungs. These tubes move air in and out of the lungs. Asthma often happens intermittently or in “attacks”. During the attacks the breathing tubes narrow and less air moves in and out of the lungs. This can cause symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath.
The narrowing is caused by inflammation or irritation around the tubes that move air in and out of the lungs. The inflammation is always present. The things that can make the irritation (triggers) worse are listed below.
PollenMoldCockroachesDust mites (in house dust)Animal dander (from the skin, hair, or feathers of animals)Cigarette smokeAir pollutionCold or humid airInfections (like colds or sinus infections)Strong scents |
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| The symptoms of asthma can be any one or all of the things listed below.
CoughingWheezingShortness of breathChest tightnessTrouble breathing at night |
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| Both children and adults can get asthma. Asthma runs in families. Many people who have allergies or allergic rhinitis also have asthma. |
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| The doctor will ask questions about symptoms, family history, and any medications used in the past. The doctor will then perform an examination.
The doctor may perform a test in the office called Spyrometer to measure the flow of air through the lungs. The test measures how much air and how fast air can be blown out of the lungs after a deep breath.
The doctor may elect to do Pulmonary Function tests. These tests include spyrometer and also measure lung volume and movement of air into the blood.
Both Pulmonary Function tests and Pyrometer are often done with medications. Methocholine can cause narrowing of the airways like asthma. This is used if the initial tests are normal. Albuterol is a reliever medication that can stop an asthma attack. This is used to measure if there is a difference in the air movement in the lungs after medicine. |
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| Mild Intermittent (comes and goes)Symptoms happen less than 2 times a week.Symptoms happen at night less than two times a month.Asthma attacks are short, a few hours to a few days.
Mild PersistentSymptoms happen more than 2 times per week and less than once per day.Symptoms happen at night more than two times a month.Asthma attacks can get in the way with activity.
Moderate PersistentSymptoms happen daily.Symptoms happen at night more than once a week.Asthma attacks happen more than two times a week and last for days.Asthma attacks do get in the way of activity.
Severe PersistentSymptoms are always present.Symptoms happen most nights.Asthma attacks happen a lot.Activity is always limited because of asthma symptoms. |
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| First, anything that triggers an asthma attack should be avoided. There are two types of medications used to treat asthma. The two types of medications are relievers and controllers.
Relievers are medications that work to relax the muscles around the breathing tubes. This can help open the tubes and make the symptoms like wheezing or shortness of breath feel better. These medications usually act quickly, but only last a short time. This medicine should be used immediately to stop an asthma attack. Most people with asthma keep this inhaler with them at all times. Some examples of these medications are: - Albuterol
- Proventil
- Ventolin
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| | Controllers are medications that work to decrease irritation in the airways. They can prevent attacks over a long period of time and control symptoms. These medications need to be taken every day. If you stop taking your controller medication your asthma may get worse. There are several types of controllers.- Corticosteroids: these medications reduce the swelling and irritation in the breathing tubes. They come in pill and inhaler forms.
- Long acting beta agonists: these medications can relax the muscles around the breathing tubes for hours.
- Leukotriene receptor blockers: these medications can help reduce irritations in the breathing tubes.
- Theophylline: this medication can help decrease irritations in the breathing tubes. Anyone taking this medication must have blood levels checked.
You and your doctor will decide which treatments are best for you. |
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| | For more information, view |
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| An asthma action plan is a plan that you and your doctor come up with to keep your asthma under control. Click here for a copy of an Asthma Action Plan that you can take to your doctor. |
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| 1. What I should do before a visit to my doctor.- Write down the most important problem or issue you have. For example, write down what bothers you about your medication or new or worsening symptoms.
- Write down symptoms you have. Examples can be coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, or trouble breathing at night.
- Write down a list of all the medicines you are taking. Include medicines you bought over the counter and herbal supplements.
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| | 2. What I should do during the visit with my doctor.
- Tell your doctor how your asthma is bothering you. Tell the doctor about anything you can’t do because of asthma.
- Tell the doctor how long it has been a problem.
- Focus only on the problem you have recognized.
- Ask your doctor to explain anything you don’t understand.
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| | 3. What I should do after the visit with my doctor.
- Write down what you have been told is the current problem.
- Ask for a copy of the asthma action plan you and your doctor have talked about. The action plan will include any medicine controllers or quick relievers you are given, how much you should take, and when you should take it. It will also tell you when to call the doctor.
- Write down any asthma triggers you and your doctor have talked about.
- Write down when you are to come back for your next visit.
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| National Heart Lung and Blood Institute: What is Asthma?
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| | American Lung Association: Asthma
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Asthma
Behavioral Health