Respira tranquilo: una guía sobre los síntomas y los tratamientos del asma

Quick points about asthma symptoms and asthma treatments:

• Asthma is a chronic lung condition where airways swell and narrow, making breathing difficult. But with the right treatment plan, most people with asthma live full, active lives.
• Asthma symptoms like wheezing, chest tightness, coughing and shortness of breath vary from person to person—and so do potential asthma triggers. That’s why identifying your personal triggers is one of the most important steps in managing the condition.
• Asthma treatments fall into two main categories: Quick-relief medications (like rescue inhalers) ease symptoms during a flare. Long-term control medications are taken daily to prevent attacks. If you're an established patient who needs an asthma medication refill, skip the waiting room and connect with a licensed medical provider online with a $19 asthma consultation.

Asthma is a common condition that can cause chest tightness, cough, wheezing, or trouble breathing. Asthma is a chronic condition, which means it’s usually something you have for your entire life. But having the right treatment plan can make a big difference.

Keep reading to learn what asthma is, understand common symptoms, and explore treatment options—including both quick-relief and long-term control medications.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that affects the airways—the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. When you have asthma, these airways can become inflamed and narrowed, making it harder to breathe.

Three main changes happen in the lungs during an asthma episode:

• Inflammation:The lining of the airways swells and becomes irritated, narrowing the space air has to move through.
• Extra mucus production: The airways produce more mucus than usual, which can clog them further.
• Bronchoconstriction: The muscles around the airways tighten, narrowing the airways even more.

When all three happen at once, the result can be an asthma attack—also called an asthma episode or flare.

There's no cure for asthma. But with the right treatment plan, it's usually very manageable.

How is asthma different from other breathing conditions?

Asthma is sometimes confused with other lung conditions, especially chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Both cause narrowed airways and symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.

But there are key differences: Asthma usually starts in childhood. (Though adults can develop it, too.) Symptoms come and go, and they can improve with the right treatment, leaving you symptom-free between flares. COPD is most often caused by long-term smoking or exposure to lung irritants, usually in adults over 40, and constant symptoms worsen over time.

Only a medical provider can determine which condition you have, and getting the right diagnosis is essential for accurate treatment.

What does asthma feel like?

No two people experience asthma the same way. For some, it shows up as a nighttime cough that won’t go away. For others, it's chest tightness during exercise or wheezing when breathing out. Symptoms can range from mild and occasional to frequent and disruptive.

What most people have in common: asthma symptoms flare in response to specific triggers, and calm down once those triggers are removed or treated.

Common asthma triggers:

• Allergens: pollen, pet dander, dust mites, mold, cockroach particles
• Respiratory infections (colds, flu, sinus infections)
• Tobacco smoke and air pollution
• Exercise or physical exertion
• Cold air or sudden weather changes
• Strong smells or chemical fumes
• Stress or intense emotions
• Certain medications (such as aspirin)

Common asthma symptoms

• Wheezing (a whistling or squeaky sound when breathing)
• Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• Chest tightness or pressure
• Persistent coughing, especially at night or early morning
• Trouble sleeping due to breathing symptoms
• Fatigue (often from working harder to breathe)

The basics of common asthma treatments

Asthma medications fall into two main categories: Quick-relief (rescue) medications work fast to open narrowed airways during a flare-up, and they're taken when symptoms hit as needed. Long-term control medications are taken daily to reduce airway inflammation and prevent symptoms from occurring in the first place. They won’t help during an asthma attack.

Many people use both types depending on symptom frequency, severity, and triggers. So getting specific treatment from a provider is essential to managing asthma.

Common quick-relief rescue medications: short-acting beta-agonists (SABAs)

SABAs are the go-to rescue option for most people with asthma. Also called quick-relief bronchodilators, they relax the muscles around the airways within minutes, opening them up so you can breathe more easily. Taken only as needed, some people also use them before exercise to help control symptoms. They help keep airways open for 4-6 hours.

The most common SABA is Albuterol Sulfate (Salbutamol), which is available in brand-name versions including ProAir RespiClick, ProAir Digihaler, Proventil, and Ventolin.

Common long-term control medications: inhaled corticosteroids

Long-term control medications won't stop an attack already happening. But taken consistently, they help prevent attacks from starting.

• Inhaled corticosteroids are the most widely prescribed long-term asthma treatment. They work by binding to immune receptors in the airways to reduce inflammation, decrease mucus production, and keep airways from narrowing. Common inhaled corticosteroids include Fluticasone Propionate (and brand-name versions Flovent and ArmonAir Digihaler) and Budesonide (and its brand-name version Pulmicort Flexhaler).
• Combination medications pair corticosteroids with a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) bronchodilator. Together, they reduce inflammation and open the airways for up to 12 hours. Common corticosteroid/LABA combinations include Fluticasone Furoate-Vilanterol (Breo Ellipta), Fluticasone Propionate-Salmeterol (Advair Diskus), and Budesonide-Formoterol (Symbicort).
• Leukotriene receptor antagonists take a different approach. Rather than targeting airway inflammation, they block leukotrienes—chemicals released during an allergic response that cause swelling and tightening in the airways. A daily oral pill, they’re a convenient option for some people. The most common leukotriene receptor antagonist is Montelukast (Singulair).

Other treatment options for asthma include allergy shots, allergy medicines and biologics. Talk to your provider about which treatments might be right for your condition.

How do I find which asthma treatment is best for me?

The right asthma treatment plan depends on your specific symptoms, how often they occur, what triggers them and how your body responds to medication. That's why it’s important to work with a medical provider to get the right diagnosis and treatment plan.

If you're an established patient, connect with a provider to refill your current asthma medication online with a convenient $19 Dr. B consultation. If you're newly experiencing asthma symptoms or haven't yet been diagnosed, connect with an in-person provider for an initial evaluation and diagnosis.

How do I know if my asthma medications are working?

Here are signs your treatment plan is on track:

• You have asthma symptoms two or fewer times per week.
• You're sleeping through the night without waking up due to coughing or chest tightness.
• You can exercise and carry out daily activities without breathing difficulties.
• You're reaching for your rescue inhaler two or fewer times per week (outside of pre-exercise use).
• You're not missing work or school due to asthma symptoms.

Using your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, waking up with symptoms more than twice a month, or relying on oral corticosteroids (like Prednisone) more than twice a year are signs your asthma treatment plan may need adjustment. Talk to your medical provider.

When to seek urgent care

Most patients can manage flares at home with a rescue inhaler and an established action plan.

But call 911 or go to the nearest emergency room if you experience a medical emergency or these symptoms:

• Severe shortness of breath that doesn't improve after using a rescue inhaler
• Difficulty speaking, walking or staying awake due to breathing difficulty
• A blue or gray tint to the lips, fingernails or around the eyes (a sign of low oxygen)
• Breathing more than 30 times per minute or a racing heart rate
• Extreme chest tightness that doesn't ease
• Confusion, dizziness or sudden anxiety—which can signal oxygen deprivation

When in doubt, get emergency care. Severe asthma attacks can get worse quickly, and timely treatment makes a big difference in the outcome.

To summarize:

• What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung disease that causes airways to become inflamed, narrowed and sometimes filled with too much mucus, making it harder to breathe. It's a lifelong condition. But with consistent treatment, most people manage it well.
• What are the main treatment types? Rescue inhalers (SABAs like Albuterol) provide fast relief during flares. Long-term control medications reduce inflammation and stop symptoms before they start. Your provider will determine which combination fits your needs.
• How do I connect with a provider? If you're an established asthma patient needing a prescription refill, start a $19 online consultation with Dr. B—no waiting room required. If a refill is medically appropriate, a licensed provider will send your prescription to your c pharmacy.