to schedule an appointment
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a respiratory disease that causes inflammation in your airways. This inflammation restricts your airflow when you breathe. Asthma is a chronic condition, meaning it lasts throughout your life. It commonly causes breathlessness, wheezing, and coughing. With the right treatment, many people manage asthma symptoms well.
Types of Asthma
Experts classify types of asthma by different categories, such as age of onset. They also organize asthma by types of triggers:
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Allergens, such as pollen, dust, or animal dander
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Environmental irritants, such as smoke or polluted air
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Exercise induced asthma
There are also types of immune inflammation that may cause asthma:
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Eosinophilic asthma (Type II)
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Non-eosinophilic asthma (Type 1)
Asthma that overlaps with COPD or smoking related lung disease is another type of asthma.
Asthma Causes and Risk Factors
Experts don’t know exactly what causes asthma. You’re more likely to have asthma if you have certain risk factors:
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Exposure to secondhand smoke or poor air quality early in life
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Family history of asthma
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History of other allergic conditions, such as atopic dermatitis, a condition causing itchy skin
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Smoking
Is Asthma Genetic?
Asthma tends to run in families. However, no specific gene change (mutation) is known to cause asthma.
Can You Develop Asthma Later in Life?
You can develop asthma later in life. It’s more common for asthma symptoms to start in childhood. But you can develop symptoms as an adult.
Asthma Symptoms
Asthma usually causes symptoms affecting your breathing:
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Breathlessness
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Chest tightness (feeling like you can't get a full breath)
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Dry coughing
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Wheezing
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Shortness of breath with exercise
These symptoms worsen during an asthma attack. An asthma attack is when your airways swell and tighten, causing sudden and severe symptoms. During an asthma attack, you may feel like it’s hard to get enough air.
If you have asthma, use your rescue inhaler as soon as you notice signs of an asthma attack. Call 911 if your symptoms don’t decrease soon after using your inhaler.
When to See a Provider About Asthma
If you’re struggling with coughing or breathlessness, start by seeing your primary care provider. They may diagnose asthma and prescribe medications that help manage it.
Your provider may refer you to a pulmonologist (lung specialist) if you need additional testing or treatment. A pulmonologist can help you manage complex or severe asthma symptoms.
Find An Asthma Doctor
How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
An asthma diagnosis starts with a detailed conversation about your symptoms. Your provider will ask multiple questions:
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How long have you had symptoms?
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How often do you have breathing difficulties?
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What do your symptoms feel like?
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What, if anything, relieves your symptoms?
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What, if anything, triggers your symptoms?
Identifying common triggers such as allergies or smoke or air pollution are an important part of the diagnosis process.
Sometimes your provider uses additional tests:
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Blood tests to measure inflammation and check for allergies
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Chest X-rays to view your lungs, airways, and diaphragm (muscle that contracts when you breathe)
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Pulmonary function tests to check how well your lungs are working
Asthma Treatment
The main goal of asthma treatment is to relieve inflammation and manage your symptoms. Your provider may prescribe one or a combination of treatments:
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Inhaled corticosteroids—Inhaled corticosteroids are a mainstay of asthma treatment. These medications relieve swelling and inflammation in your airways.
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Bronchodilators—Bronchodilators are inhaled medicines that help relax your airways. You may use a bronchodilator regularly or only when you have asthma symptoms.
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Rescue inhalers—These inhalers typically contain a combination of medications. They relieve severe asthma symptoms quickly, such as during an asthma attack.
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Oral corticosteroids—Your provider may prescribe medicines that help prevent asthma attacks. Sometimes, you take oral corticosteroids for a period to reduce flare-ups.
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Oral medications—Your provider may suggest medications to control inflammation or allergies that trigger asthma.
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Injectable medications—Your provider may recommend injections if you’ve tried all other therapies without relief. These medications target specific pathways in your immune system to improve certain types of severe asthma.
Does Asthma Go Away?
Asthma is chronic, meaning it doesn’t go away. You may have periods where asthma symptoms go away, then worsen again throughout your life. However, many people manage symptoms well and have healthy, active lives.
Asthma Self-Care and At-Home Management
Understanding your triggers is a crucial part of managing asthma. Your provider will recommend that you avoid your asthma triggers as much as possible. You may take several steps:
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Avoid heavy outdoor exercise and exercise in cold weather if you have exercise induced asthma.
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Do not smoke cigarettes or vape.
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Limit exposure to air pollution and heavy smoke.
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Remain indoors when the air quality index is orange or red.
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Stay away from known allergens, such as pollen, dust, mold, or pet dander.
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Use a high-efficiency particulate air (HEPA) filter at home.
Why Choose University of Utah Health?
Our asthma specialists offer personalized, patient-centered care that prioritizes your needs and preferences. We spend extra time explaining your diagnosis, helping you understand both your symptoms and how to manage them. Each of our patients receives an individualized care plan that follows expert guidelines and recommendations.
At U of U Health, you also have access to advanced imaging services, respiratory therapists, and pharmacists with experience in asthma medications. You get care from expert providers who use leading-edge tools and treatments.
Make an Appointment
Start by seeing your primary care provider if you have asthma symptoms. They will refer you to pulmonary services if needed.
