Asthma: Symptoms, Causes, and Treatment
- Maya Potter, BMSc, MD(c)
- 3 days ago
- 5 min read
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a very common lung condition that can make it hard to breathe. It happens when your airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs, become swollen and narrow. This may cause coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness [1].
The symptoms of asthma can come and go and vary from mild to severe. There are lots of good treatments for asthma, and with the right help, most people can keep their symptoms under good control [2].
What Causes Asthma?
Asthma happens when your airways are more sensitive than usual. They react to things in the environment that don’t bother most other people. When you encounter a trigger, the airways swell and produce extra mucous, which can make it hard to breathe. Sometimes people call this an asthma attack [3].
Think of it like trying to breathe through a narrow straw instead of a wide one. During an asthma attack, the breathing tubes become smaller, making it harder to move air in and out of the lungs.
Common asthma triggers include:
Allergens like pollen, pets, dust, or mold
Lung infections like a cold or flu
Smoke
Exercise
Cold air or high humidity
Perfumes or scented detergents
Stress or strong emotions
Common Symptoms
You may notice:
Persistent coughing. A stubborn cough that won’t go away which may get worse at night [3].
Shortness of breath. An uncomfortable feeling that you can’t get enough air into your lungs [3].
Chest tightness. A feeling of heaviness or increased pressure, sometimes described like an elephant sitting on your chest [3].
Wheezing. A high-pitched musical sound produced when air moves through narrowed airways [3].
Who Is at Risk for Asthma?
Asthma develops because of a combination of genetic and environmental causes. It can occur at any age, in both children and adults [3].
The exact cause of asthma is unknown, but a few things can increase your risk.
Family history. The biggest risk factor for developing asthma. If any of your parents or siblings have asthma, your risk is much higher [4].
Allergies. People with other allergic conditions like allergic rhinitis (a condition where the nose becomes stuffy) or eczema (a condition that makes your skin dry and itchy) are more likely to develop asthma [4].
Obesity. Carrying extra weight can put more stress on your body’s breathing system, making it harder for the lungs to work properly [4].
Lung infections. As a child, if you had many lung infections, your risk of getting asthma is higher [4].
Environmental exposures. If you smoke, live with someone who smokes, or live in a place with high air pollution, your risk of asthma increases [4].
Your job. Where you work matters. Long-term exposure to chemicals, dust, or vapors in the workplace can increase the risk of asthma [4].
How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
Your doctor may:
Ask you questions about your symptoms
Ask you questions about your medical history and family history
Check for allergies by looking at your nose, throat, or skin
Listen to your lungs
Perform a breathing test
The breathing test used to diagnose asthma is called spirometry. This test involves breathing into a tube connected to a machine that will tell the doctor how well your lungs work [5].
Your doctor may also give you an asthma medication and see if it makes your breathing better. This is called a reversibility test [5].
Treatment Options
There is no cure for asthma, but its symptoms can be well-managed with the right treatment. Most people with asthma live normal and healthy lives.
The treatment of asthma usually involves 2 types of inhalers:
Other treatments:
Oral steroids. Used to reduce swelling in the airways during bad flare-ups [2].
Combination inhalers. Inhalers made with multiple medications may be recommended if your asthma is severe [2].
Allergy medications. If your asthma is triggered by allergies, your doctor may recommend allergy shots [2].
Breathing exercises. Controlled breathing exercises can help improve lung function [6].
Self-Management Strategies
Identify and avoid triggers, if possible
Keep a symptom diary
Use your medications exactly as prescribed by your doctor
Maintain a healthy lifestyle
Get your flu shot
Regular check-ups with your doctor are important. Symptoms of asthma can change over time, and your doctor may need to adjust your treatments.
Prevention
Asthma flare-ups may occur less often or be less severe if you:
Use your daily preventer inhaler
Wash your bedsheets regularly with hot water
Keep pets out of your bedroom
Clean your house regularly to reduce dust and mold
Don’t smoke
When to Seek Medical Advice
Call your doctor if:
Your symptoms are getting worse
You are using your rescue inhaler more often
Your breathing problems are making your daily activities feel harder
Your symptoms are waking you up at night
Go to the ER if:
You are experiencing severe breathing trouble
Your symptoms do not improve, or they return quickly, after using a rescue inhaler
You notice your lips, nails, or skin are turning blue
You feel very tired, confused, or faint
If you don’t seek medical advice, your asthma may get worse. You may develop lung damage that can’t be fixed. This can cause a reduced quality of life by interfering with your sleep, physical activity, and your ability to attend work or school.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Do children outgrow asthma? Sometimes a child’s symptoms will go away for a long time, but asthma is a life-long condition. Symptoms may reappear in adulthood.
Can I exercise safety if I have asthma? Yes, exercise is safe, and also recommended, if asthma symptoms are well-controlled.
Do I need to take my medications even when I don’t have symptoms? Yes, if prescribed a daily preventer medication, it should be taken no matter how you feel to prevent asthma symptoms from developing.
What should I do during an asthma attack? Take your rescue inhaler as prescribed, sit up straight, and remain calm. If symptoms are not improving, call 911.
Sources:
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Sinyor B, Concepcion Perez L. Pathophysiology Of Asthma. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2026 [cited 2026 Mar 21]. Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK551579/ PubMed PMID: 31869060.
Toskala E, Kennedy DW. Asthma risk factors. Int Forum Allergy Rhinol. 2015 Sep;5(Suppl 1):S11–6. doi:10.1002/alr.21557 PubMed PMID: 26335830; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7159773.
Simpson AJ, Drake S, Healy L, Wang R, Bennett M, Wardman H, et al. Asthma diagnosis: a comparison of established diagnostic guidelines in adults with respiratory symptoms. eClinicalMedicine. 2024 Oct 1;76. doi:10.1016/j.eclinm.2024.102813 PubMed PMID: 39296585.
Santino TA, Chaves GS, Freitas DA, Fregonezi GA, Mendonça KM. Breathing exercises for adults with asthma. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2020 Mar 25;2020(3):CD001277. doi:10.1002/14651858.CD001277.pub4 PubMed PMID: 32212422; PubMed Central PMCID: PMC7096190.
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