Asthma |Symptoms| MedStar Health

Asthma is caused by inflammation (swelling) in the airways. When an attack occurs, the lining of the air passages swells and the muscles surrounding the airways become tight. This reduces the amount of air that can pass through the airway.

In persons who have sensitive airways, asthma symptoms can be triggered by breathing in substances called allergens or triggers.

Asthma

play button

Asthma, or reactive airway disease, is a chronic disorder that results in restricted breathing due to inflammation of the bronchial tubes the main air passages in the lungs.

Causes

Common asthma triggers include:

  • Animals 
  • Dust mites
  • Certain medicines (aspirin and other NSAIDs)
  • Changes in weather 
  • Chemicals in the air or in food
  • Exercise
  • Mold
  • Pollen
  • Respiratory infections, such as the common cold
  • Strong emotions such as stress
  • Tobacco smoke

Many people with asthma have a personal or family history of allergies, such as hay fever (allergic rhinitis), or eczema.

Symptoms

Most people with asthma have attacks separated by symptom-free periods. Some people have long-term shortness of breath with episodes of increased shortness of breath. Either wheezing or a cough may be the main symptom. Attacks can last for minutes to days, and can become dangerous if the airflow is severely blocked.

Symptoms include:

  • Cough with or without mucus
  • Pulling in of the skin between the ribs when breathing (intercostal retractions)
  • Shortness of breath that gets worse with exercise or activity
  • Wheezing 

Emergency symptoms that need prompt medical help:

  • Bluish color to the lips and face
  • Decreased level of alertness, such as severe drowsiness or confusion, during an asthma attack
  • Extreme difficulty breathing
  • Rapid pulse
  • Severe anxiety due to shortness of breath
  • Sweating

Other symptoms that may occur:

  • Abnormal breathing pattern—breathing out takes more than twice as long as breathing in
  • Breathing temporarily stops
  • Chest pain
  • Tightness in the chest

Tests

The doctor or nurse will use a stethoscope to listen to the lungs. Wheezing or other asthma-related sounds may be heard.

Tests that may be ordered include:

  • Allergy testing—skin or a blood test to see if a person with asthma is allergic to certain substances
  • Arterial blood gas (usually only done with patients who are having a severe asthma attack)
  • Chest x-ray
  • Lung function tests, including peak flow measurements

Treatment

Our doctors work with patients as a team to manage asthma. Patients should follow their instructions on taking medicines, eliminating asthma triggers, and monitoring symptoms.

There are two kinds of medicines for treating asthma:

  • Control medicines to help prevent attacks
  • Quick-relief (rescue) medicines for use during attacks

Our providers

Pulmonologists checking paitent’s lungs

Expert pulmonary care

Getting the care you need starts with seeing one of our pulmonologists.

Our locations

Distance from Change locationEnter your location

MedStar Health: Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at Bel Air

12 MedStar Blvd
2nd Floor
Bel Air, MD 21015

MedStar Health: Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at McLean

1420 Beverly Rd.
Ste. 205
McLean, VA 22101

MedStar Health: Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at MedStar Good Samaritan Hospital

5601 Loch Raven Blvd.
Russell Morgan Building
Ste. 500
Baltimore, MD 21239

MedStar Health: Pulmonology at MedStar Georgetown University Hospital

3800 Reservoir Rd. N.W.
Pasquerilla Healthcare Center
5th Floor
Washington, D.C., 20007

MedStar Health: Pulmonology at MedStar Washington Hospital Center

110 Irving St., NW
Room 1A-50B
Washington, D.C., 20010

202-877-7318

MedStar Health: Pulmonology and Sleep Medicine at MedStar Franklin Square Medical Center

9103 Franklin Square Drive
Weinberg Building
Ste. 300
Baltimore, MD 21237