Asthma

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma causes airway shrinkage and an increase in sticky phlegm, which limits how much air you can breathe in. Common symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Coughing
• Chest tightness
• Insomnia or restless sleep due to discomfort

Asthma symptoms can be particularly severe in the evenings and early mornings. Most people with asthma experience bouts, called asthma attacks, after exposure to a certain trigger.

There’s a long list of asthma triggers, with the most common types including allergens, environmental toxins, cold weather, respiratory infections, and strong emotions. Strenuous exercise is also a trigger for 9 in 10 people with asthma. 

How is asthma diagnosed?

The team at Sunit R. Patel, MD, reviews your symptoms and listens to your lungs during a physical exam. You may need a chest X-ray or a sleep study to find or rule out other possible causes, such as sleep apnea, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), or bronchitis. 

For definitive asthma diagnosis, you typically need pulmonary function testing, tests that check how much air you inhale and exhale as well as other aspects of your respiratory system.

What kind of asthma treatment do I need?

The team can customize an asthma management plan for you. The goal is to reduce your asthma attack symptoms while preventing attacks as much as possible. In most cases, a combination of both short-acting and long-acting medications is the best approach. 

Short-acting medications

The most common type of short-acting medication is a rescue inhaler containing a medication such as albuterol. You use the inhaler when you're having an asthma attack, at the first sign of symptoms, and the medication quickly opens up your airways so you can breathe again. 

Long-acting medications

Long-acting medications are inhalers that you use on a daily basis. They contain one or more preventive medicines, often including a corticosteroid. Preventive medications reduce airway swelling and mucus overproduction, resulting in less frequent asthma attacks.

Up to 90% of people make some kind of mistake when using their inhalers, which can limit their effectiveness and lead to uncontrolled asthma. To avoid these problems, the caring team at Sunit R. Patel, MD, explains proper inhaler usage.

About 50% of adults with asthma also have allergies, so you may also need allergy medication or shots. The team may recommend keeping an asthma symptom diary or using a peak flow meter — a portable device to measure your air flow — on a regular basis. 

The team at Sunit R. Patel, MD, is ready to help you with your asthma action plan. Call the nearest office or schedule an appointment online.