Asthma

Article
2021-01-31

Asthma is a chronic (long-term) condition that affects the airways in the lungs. The airways are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. If you have asthma, the airways can sometimes become inflamed and narrow.

Asthma affects people of all ages and often starts during childhood. You may wheeze, cough, or feel tight in the chest. These symptoms can range from mild to severe and can occur every day or only occasionally. Certain things can cause or worsen asthma symptoms, such as cold air. These are called asthma triggers. When symptoms get worse it's called an asthma attack.

An asthma action plan can help you manage your asthma. The plan may include monitoring, avoidance of triggers, and the use of medications.

To learn more about asthma and living with the condition, our role in research, and clinical trials, check out this health topic.

Symptoms

How often asthma signs and symptoms occur depends on how severe or intense the asthma is and whether you are exposed to allergens. Some people have symptoms every day, while others have symptoms only a few days a year. In some people, asthma can cause discomfort, but it does not affect daily activities. However, if you have more severe asthma, your asthma can limit your options.

When asthma is well controlled, a person will show few symptoms. When symptoms worsen, a person may have what is called an asthma attack or exacerbation. Over time, uncontrolled asthma can damage the airways in the lungs.

Signs and Symptoms

Signs and symptoms of asthma can include:

Tightness in the chest
Cough, especially at night or early in the morning
Shortness of breath
Wheezing, which causes a whistling sound when you exhale

While other conditions can cause the same symptoms as asthma, the pattern of symptoms in people with asthma usually has some of the following characteristics.

They come and go over time or within the same day.
They start or get worse with viral infections, such as the common cold.
They are caused by exercise, allergies, cold air or hyperventilation from laughing or crying.
They are worse at night or in the morning

Asthma attacks or exacerbations are episodes that occur when symptoms get much worse and require a change from typical treatment. These can come on gradually or suddenly and can be life-threatening. People with severe asthma are often more likely to have asthma attacks.

Therapy

If you've been diagnosed with asthma, your doctor will work with you to create a treatment plan to manage your asthma symptoms and prevent asthma attacks. Treatment usually depends on your age, the severity of your asthma, and the response to a particular treatment option. Your doctor may adjust your treatment until asthma symptoms are under control.

Most people receive long-term treatment with daily controller (s), along with another inhaler for short-term relief, when they have symptoms or to prevent symptoms. An inhaler causes the drug to enter the mouth and airways external link.

Watch our video to learn more about asthma treatment.

Short-term drugs

Short-term relief drugs, also called quick relief drugs, help prevent or relieve symptoms during an asthma attack. They may be the only medications needed for mild asthma or asthma that only occurs with physical activity.

Your doctor will prescribe a quick relief inhaler to keep with you at all times. To learn how to use your asthma inhaler correctly, visit the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) External Link.

Types of short-term emergency resources include:

Inhaled short-acting beta-2 agonists (SABAs) to quickly relax tense muscles around your airways. This allows the airways to open and allows air to flow through. Side effects can include tremors and fast heart rate. As symptoms andmedical history indicates asthma, doctors can treat it with inhaled corticosteroids over a trial period to see if they help. If symptoms don't improve, corticosteroids are stopped to avoid side effects.
Oral and intravenous (IV) corticosteroids to reduce inflammation caused by severe asthma symptoms.
Short-acting anticholinergics to quickly open the airways. This medicine may be less effective than SABAs, but it is an option for people who may have side effects from SABAs.

Control medications

Your doctor may prescribe long-term control medicines to be taken daily to help prevent symptoms by reducing airway inflammation and preventing narrowing of the airways. Treatment with specific control drugs may differ depending on age, such as whether the person is an adult or a child. To see what causes asthma symptoms, go back to Causes.

Control drugs include the following.

Corticosteroids to reduce the body's inflammatory response. Your doctor may prescribe inhaled corticosteroids or oral (as pill) corticosteroids. Common side effects of inhaled corticosteroids include a hoarse voice or a mouth infection called thrush. A spacer or retainer chamber on your inhaler can help prevent these side effects. Oral corticosteroids may have more side effects than inhaled corticosteroids because the medicine is released outside the lungs. Find out more about inhaled corticosteroids for asthma. Find out more about inhaled corticosteroids for asthma.
Biologics, such as omalizumab, mepolizumab, reslizumab, and benralizumab, to target specific parts of the body's response to allergens. Biologics are antibodies used in people with severe asthma. Benralizumab is injected into a vein, while the other medicines are injected under the skin or into a vein. They are given every few weeks.
Leukotriene modifiers to reduce inflammation and keep your airways open. You take these pills by mouth, alone or with corticosteroids, depending on what your doctor prescribes.
Mast cell stabilizers, such as cromolyn, to help prevent airway inflammation when you're exposed to allergens or other triggers. These drugs prevent certain immune cells from sending the signals that cause inflammation.
Inhaled long-acting bronchodilators , such as long-acting beta-2 agonists (LABAs), to keep the airways open by preventing airway narrowing. LABAs can be added to your inhaled corticosteroids to reduce narrowing and inflammation. A similar medicine called long-acting inhaled muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) is also sometimes used. Read more about LAMAs in our factsheet.
Immunotherapy to reduce the body's response to allergens. It can be given as an injection, also called an allergy shot, or by mouth as a liquid or tablet. Read more about immunotherapy in our factsheet.

Emergency care

If you are having a severe asthma attack and need emergency care, you can be treated with medications, as mentioned above, using a nebulizer or IV. You may also receive oxygen therapy or breathing assistance. This could include fan assist or a mask with forced air.

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