www.google.com/search?

q=Asthma

Asthma

Also called: bronchial asthma

A condition in which a person's airways become inflamed, narrow and

swell, and produce extra mucus, which makes it difficult to breathe.

Very common

More than 3 million US cases per year

Treatable by a medical professional
Requires a medical diagnosis
Lab tests or imaging often required
Chronic: can last for years or be lifelong
Asthma can be minor or it can interfere with daily activities. In some
cases, it may lead to a life-threatening attack.

Asthma may cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough, and wheezing.
The symptoms may sometimes flare-up.
Asthma can usually be managed with rescue inhalers to treat symptoms
(albuterol) and controller inhalers that prevent symptoms (steroids).
Severe cases may require longer-acting inhalers that keep the airways
open (formoterol, salmeterol, tiotropium), as well as oral steroids.

March 20, 2016

Page 1 of 3

www.google.com/search?q=Asthma

Ages affected
0-2
3-5
6-13
14-18
19-40
41-60
60+

Symptoms
Requires a medical diagnosis

Asthma may cause difficulty breathing, chest pain, cough, and wheezing.
The symptoms may sometimes flare-up.

People may experience:

Cough: can occur at night, during exercise, can be chronic, dry, with
phlegm, mild, or severe

Respiratory: difficulty breathing, wheezing, breathing through the mouth,

fast breathing, frequent respiratory infections, rapid breathing, or
shortness of breath at night
Also common: acute episodes, chest tightness, anxiety, early
awakening, fast heart rate, or throat irritation

Treatments
Treatable by a medical professional

Asthma can usually be managed with rescue inhalers to treat symptoms

(albuterol) and controller inhalers that prevent symptoms (steroids).
Severe cases may require longer-acting inhalers that keep the airways
open (formoterol, salmeterol, tiotropium), as well as oral steroids.

March 20, 2016

Page 2 of 3

www.google.com/search?q=Asthma

Prescription

Steroids: Methylprednisolone

Steroids by inhaling: Fluticasone/Salmeterol, Budesonide, Budesonide/

Formoterol (Symbicort), Flunisolide (Aerospan)
Other treatments: Albuterol, Tiotropium, Levalbuterol, Ipratropium by
inhaling (Atrovent), Prednisone (Deltasone), Zafirlukast (Accolate),
Zileuton (Zyflo), Salmeterol by inhaling, Ipratropium bromide/Albuterol by
inhaling (DuoNeb)

Self-treatment

Steroids: Fluticasone by inhaling

Also common

Lifestyle: Smoking cessation

Other treatments: Oxygen therapy

Specialists

Pulmonologist: Treats respiratory tract diseases.

Pediatrician: Provides medical care for infants, children, and teenagers.

Primary care provider (PCP): Prevents, diagnoses, and treats diseases.

Respiratory therapist: Treats and provides emergency care for patients
who have trouble breathing.

Consult a doctor for medical advice

Note: The information you see describes what usually happens with a medical condition, but
doesn't apply to everyone. This information isn't medical advice, so make sure to contact a
healthcare provider if you have a medical problem. If you think you may have a medical
emergency, call your doctor or a emergency number immediately.

March 20, 2016

Page 3 of 3