Understanding Asthma

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term lung condition resulting from persistent airway inflammation. Both adults and children with asthma can have symptoms including shortness of breath, chest tightness or heaviness, wheezing, cough, and difficulty breathing induced by physical activity or allergen exposure. Asthma severity can range from a mild disease where patients experience symptoms intermittently to a severe disease where patients have daily limiting symptoms.

There are three major signs of asthma:

• Airway blockage and trouble breathing
• Inflammation of the lungs
• Airway irritability

Common Triggers

A flare-up can be caused by “asthma triggers” and can vary from person to person. Common asthma triggers:

•  Smoke
• Dust Mites
• Outdoor Air Pollution
• Pest (e.g., cockroaches, mice)
• Pets
• Mold
• Fumes from cleaning products

Treatment

Our board-certified doctors will provide comprehensive diagnostic and treatment plans to manage asthma, aiming to control the underlying lung problem, resolve symptoms, and provide a better quality of life. They will determine the diagnosis, identify environmental triggers by allergy testing, perform lung function tests, teach proper use of maintenance and rescue inhalers, and provide individualized action plans.