Asthma

By German Iosif, MD
Board Certified Pulmonologist

What is asthma?
Asthma is characterized by the chronic inflammation of the airways within the lungs. Most cases of asthma, especially in younger individuals, have an allergic basis. The allergic trigger or triggers are usually found in the outdoors, home environment or frequently both. Non-allergic triggers such as
viral colds, fumes, smoke and other irritants as well as environmental conditions of extreme cold or humidity can also frequently precipitate asthma symptoms.

How is asthma diagnosed?
People who suffer from undiagnosed asthma usually exhibit a number of symptoms. These can include coughing, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and bouts of bronchitis. Patients usually complain that these symptoms are severe enough to impact their daily activities. Physicians who suspect that a patient may have asthma can establish the diagnosis with readily available testing devices.

What are the triggers for asthma?
Once a patient is diagnosed with asthma, the physician will generally assess the triggers that seem to stimulate an asthma flare. In many cases, patients will be treated with a controller inhaler that is used daily to decrease the likelihood of on-going illness and avoid the long term effects of the disease. A variety of inhaled medications are also available for relief of acute symptoms.

How is asthma treated?
Treating asthma involves multiple methods. Proper diagnosis is the first step. The second step is for the patient to eliminate as many triggers from their environment as possible. For example, allergy testing may reveal that a patient is sensitive to a specific element.  Eliminating or reducing exposure to these in daily life is often a key for good health. 

A pulmonologist or other physician may then prescribe maintenance or controller medications that are generally inhaled, and perhaps inhalers to treat more acute episodes. Patients are also encouraged to monitor their own lung function through the use of a peak flow meter. Recording these results provides a roadmap for each individual, and can help alert patients as to potential problems before they get out of control. Treatment of asthma should be a true partnership between patient and physician.