Know Your Symptoms and Triggers
Asthma can make something as simple as taking a breath feel difficult. You may cough, wheeze, feel tightness in your chest, or become short of breath. For some people, symptoms happen during exercise or at certain times of the year. For others, they may appear unexpectedly.
Asthma is a disease of the airways in the lungs, and it can affect people of all ages. While many people associate asthma with childhood, adults can develop it, too, according to Dr. Glenda Bowen, a pulmonologist at Berkshire Health Systems.
The good news is that asthma can be managed.
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Dr. Glenda Bowen
Pulmonologist
“You can’t cure asthma, but you can control it, and it shouldn’t limit your daily activities.”
What Happens When You Have Asthma?
Think of the airways in your lungs like branches on a tree. When the airways are healthy, they are open and air can move freely.
During an asthma attack, the airways swell and narrow, the muscles around them may tighten, and additional mucus can develop. This leaves less room for air to move in and out and can make breathing feel like trying to breathe through a narrow straw.
Common asthma symptoms include:
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Wheezing
Symptoms can happen during physical activity or while you are resting.
Know What Triggers Your Asthma
Asthma triggers are different for everyone. Understanding yours can help you avoid them when possible and manage your symptoms.
Dr. Glenda Bowen identifies several common triggers, including:
- Pollen and other environmental allergens
- Animal allergens, including pet dander
- Smoke, secondhand smoke, air pollution and wildfire smoke
- Mold and dust
- Strong smells including cleaning products, fragrances, and chemical fumes
- Exercise
- Respiratory infections, including colds and flu
- Changes in air quality and humidity
Seasonal changes can also affect asthma. Some people notice their symptoms become worse in the spring or fall.
Dr. Glenda Bowen recommends getting to know your own patterns. Keeping track of when symptoms happen can help you identify possible triggers and discuss them with your provider.
How Do You Know If Your Asthma Is Under Control?
Asthma shouldn’t keep you from doing the things you enjoy.
If you are waking during the night because of asthma symptoms or regularly needing your rescue inhaler for symptoms, it may be a sign that your asthma isn’t well controlled. Your healthcare provider may recommend changes to your treatment.
Asthma medications generally include medicine that reduces inflammation in the airways and medicine that provides quick relief when symptoms occur. Some inhalers can serve both purposes. Your healthcare provider will recommend a treatment plan based on your age, symptoms, health history, and risk of an asthma attack. Take your medication exactly as prescribed, even when you are feeling well.
For some people with asthma that remains difficult to control, specialized treatment may be needed. Berkshire Health Systems provides pulmonary care for asthma and other conditions, including pulmonary testing and specialty evaluation.
Pay Attention When Your Asthma Changes
Work with your healthcare provider to create a written asthma action plan. Your plan should explain which medicines to take each day, what to do when symptoms become worse, when to call your provider, and when to seek emergency care. Keep the plan somewhere easy to find and share it with family members, caregivers, school staff, or others who may need to help.
“It is very important to not wait with asthma. Things can happen very, very quickly.”
Dr. Glenda Bowen advises her patients to keep their prescribed reliever inhaler with you and know how and when to use it according to your asthma action plan. Follow your asthma action plan when symptoms become worse. Seek emergency care if you are struggling to breathe, symptoms are getting worse quickly, or your prescribed reliever medicine is not helping. Call 911 for severe breathing difficulty or another life-threatening emergency.
Knowing what is normal for you and recognizing when something has changed can help you know when it is time to contact your healthcare provider.
Take an Active Role in Your Asthma Care
Managing asthma begins with understanding your own condition.
Know your symptoms. Learn your triggers. Take medications as directed by your healthcare provider, and pay attention to changes in how you breathe.
Most importantly, don’t simply accept asthma symptoms as something you have to live with. As Dr. Glenda Bowen explains, the goal of asthma treatment is to control symptoms so that asthma does not limit your everyday activities.
If you have ongoing coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath, talk with your healthcare provider. Your provider may review when your symptoms occur and perform a breathing test called spirometry to help determine whether asthma is the cause. Berkshire Health Systems also provides specialized pulmonary care through Pulmonary Professional Services.
Want to Learn More About Asthma?
Watch Dr. Glenda Bowen and Dr. Rebecca Caine on the Berkshire Health Program as they talk about asthma, common triggers, treatment options and practical ways people can better manage their symptoms.
Watch the episode to learn more.
This information is for educational purposes only and is not medical advice. Always consult a healthcare professional for diagnosis and treatment.
All facts in this article were gathered by writers employed by Berkshire Health Systems. Artificial intelligence tools were used to reformat information for clarity and presentation. This information is fact-checked by BHS staff before being published.