If you have asthma, your bronchial tubes (or airways) are often inflamed and swollen. Certain things may trigger asthma attacks (called exacerbations).

• Exercise
• Laughing or crying
• Allergens (may be present during certain seasons)
• Dust
• Fumes

During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten. This restricts air from moving in and out of your lungs. When this happens, you experience coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Attacks can range from mild to severe, sometimes landing you in the hospital.

To diagnose your condition and determine the proper treatments, your pulmonologist will:

• Ask you questions about your medical history.
• Ask what might trigger your asthma attacks.
• Order blood tests to measure oxygen levels.
• Order allergy testing to see whether certain allergens make your asthma worse.

The industry standard to diagnose asthma is a breathing test called spirometry. Your doctor will ask you to blow into a sensor, which will measure the amount of air your lungs can hold. It will also calculate the speed of the air as you inhale and exhale. The results are an important indication of how well your lungs function.

Treatment for asthma combines medications and an “action plan” to prevent and manage attacks.

Medications to Manage Shortness of Breath and Asthma Attacks

Asthma medications often come in inhalers, which deliver drugs through your mouth to your lungs. Other treatments come in pills or injections. Your doctor will give you specific instructions on how to use medications and inhalers correctly to get the best results.

Your medications may include:

• Bronchodilators, which are usually inhaled and work to relax the lung muscles and widen the airways
• Long-acting and short-acting beta-agonists, which open the airways
• New injected biologic options for severe asthma, which target molecules in the body that contribute to asthma
• Inhaled corticosteroids to lessen inflammation and swelling in the airways
• Oral or intravenous corticosteroids to reduce inflammation and swelling all over the body

Asthma Action Plan to Treat Trouble Breathing

Every patient should have an individualized “action plan” — this is a list of important information, education and instructions, including:

• Proper inhaler technique, which is a common problem for asthmatic patients
• How to avoid asthma triggers
• Signs of an upcoming attack, and breathing and relaxation techniques to calm attacks when they start
• What to do in the event of an asthma attack and when to seek emergency care
• Tips for weight management and proper nutrition
• How to control acid reflux, which is common in patients with asthma and can make symptoms worse
• Emergency contact information

Our team of lung specialist also cares for patients who are hospitalized after asthma attacks.