Asthma Symptoms
When a person has an asthma attack (a period during which asthma symptoms appear or get worse), inflamed lungs experience “bronchospasm”—a tightening of the bands of muscle surrounding the airways. This causes the lungs’ airways to become narrow or blocked, making it hard to breathe.1
Asthma Triggers
Asthma triggers are things in the environment that can make asthma symptoms worse.
There are many asthma triggers that cause inflammation in both the small and large airways—the branches that carry air into the lungs.
Common asthma triggers include:
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Receiving an Asthma Diagnosis
You may receive an asthma diagnosis from your doctor based on your medical and family history, a physical exam, or test results.
Medical and family histories
Your doctor will want to know your or your child’s medical history, and whether any family members have asthma or allergies. Your doctor may also recommend an allergy test to find out which allergens (such as pollen, pet dander and dust), if any, are asthma triggers.
Physical exam
Your doctor may listen to your breathing for signs of asthma or allergies. These signs include wheezing, a runny nose or swollen nasal passages, and skin rash. You can still have asthma even if these signs aren’t present.
Diagnostic tests
Certain tests may be performed in the doctor’s office, to help provide you with more information on your condition. These tests may include:
- Spirometry: Determines how much air you can exhale from your lungs.
- Bronchoprovocation: Measures the sensitivity in your airways.
- IOS: A quick and easy diagnostic asthma test that works well for children.
- FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide): A noninvasive and easily available method for measuring inflammation.
- Allergy test: Determines which allergens (such as pollen, pet dander and dust), if any, are asthma triggers.
- Additional tests: Your doctor may ask for a test to show whether another condition is present with symptoms similar to those found in asthma. A chest X-ray or an EKG (electrocardiogram) may also be required to find out whether a foreign object in the airways or another disease might be causing symptoms.
Types of Asthma Medications
Asthma Action Plan: Maintaining control starts with a plan
Whether your asthma is mild or severe, it’s important to have an Asthma Action Plan to help maintain control over asthma symptoms.
An Asthma Action Plan describes how to manage asthma and follow an asthma treatment plan. It includes information about asthma medications, including:
Controller medication:
- What medicine it contains
- How much to take
- When to take it
Rescue (quick-relief) inhaler:
- What medicine it contains
- How much to take
- When to take it
- When and how much to take if you or your child has EIB (exercise-induced bronchospasm)
The Asthma Action Plan also includes information about what to do in case of a serious asthma attack, or if emergency treatment is necessary. Be sure to personalize the plan with the help of your healthcare provider.
Download an Asthma Action Plan based on guidelines from the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute.