Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Asthma?
A primary care doctor treats many people with asthma, and an allergist or pulmonologist (a lung doctor) cares for people with hard-to-control asthma. A direct primary care or concierge doctor can be a first stop for an evaluation and can refer you to a specialist when needed.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a long-term lung disease. It affects the airways, the tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. In asthma, the airways can become inflamed, which means swollen and irritated, and narrowed. This can cause wheezing, coughing, and tightness in the chest. When symptoms get worse than usual, it is called an asthma attack or flare-up. Attacks can come on slowly or suddenly, and sometimes they can be life-threatening.
Symptoms
Symptoms can range from mild to severe. You may have them every day or only once in a while. Common symptoms include:
- Wheezing, a whistling sound when you breathe out.
- Shortness of breath.
- Chest tightness or pain.
- Coughing, especially at night or early in the morning.
- Trouble sleeping because of breathing problems.
Symptoms often get worse at night or in the early morning. If this happens often, your asthma may not be well controlled.
Causes and who gets it
The exact cause is unknown. Genetics and the environment both play a part. You are more likely to have asthma if one of your parents has it. Other things that raise the risk include allergies, obesity, viral lung infections in early childhood, and being around secondhand smoke as a small child. Certain substances at work, such as chemical dusts, can also cause it.
An attack can start when you meet a trigger. Triggers differ from person to person. Common ones include dust mites, mold, pets, and pollen; tobacco smoke and air pollution; infections such as colds and the flu; cold air; and exercise, especially in dry air.
How doctors diagnose it
Doctors use a physical exam, your medical history, and breathing tests. Spirometry is a lung function test that measures how well your lungs work. A peak flow test measures how fast you can blow air out. A FeNO test measures nitric oxide in your breath, and high levels may mean the lungs are inflamed. Some people also have allergy skin or blood tests to find which substances set off their symptoms.
Treatment
Treatment depends on your age, how serious your symptoms are, and how your body responds to medicines. Your provider may adjust the plan until your symptoms are controlled.
Quick-relief medicines, such as a reliever inhaler you carry at all times, ease symptoms during an attack. Short-acting beta2-agonists, medicines that open the airways, are common relievers. Their side effects can include tremors and a rapid heartbeat. Daily controller medicines prevent symptoms. Inhaled corticosteroids reduce airway swelling and are a typical controller treatment. Common side effects include a hoarse voice or a mouth infection called thrush. Long-acting bronchodilators may be added to keep airways open. For asthma that is hard to control, biologic medicines, such as benralizumab given by injection, may help. A few adults with severe asthma may be offered bronchial thermoplasty, a procedure that uses heat to thin the muscles around the airways. Its risks include worsening asthma and lung infections.
Your provider will also help you avoid triggers and create a written asthma action plan. It explains which medicines to take and when, what to do in an attack, and when to call the office or go to the emergency room.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if your symptoms worsen, do not improve with treatment, or wake you at night. Call 911 or go to the emergency room right away if you or your child has a bluish color to the lips or face, severe drowsiness or confusion during an attack, extreme difficulty breathing, or severe shortness of breath at rest. A severe attack that does not improve after using quick-relief medicine also needs emergency care.
How a direct primary care or concierge doctor fits in
A direct primary care doctor charges a flat monthly fee instead of billing insurance, while a concierge doctor usually charges more and often works alongside insurance. Either can check your breathing, review your inhaler technique, adjust your action plan over time, and refer you to an asthma specialist when your symptoms are hard to control.
Common questions
Is asthma curable?
No, but it can be controlled. With proper self-care and medical treatment, most people with asthma can lead a normal life. Your provider may adjust your treatment until your symptoms are controlled.
What is an asthma attack?
An attack is a time when asthma symptoms get worse than usual. The airways swell and narrow, making it hard to breathe. Attacks can start slowly or suddenly, and quick-relief medicine is used to treat them.
Can exercise cause asthma symptoms?
Yes. In exercise-induced asthma, symptoms start or get worse during physical activity, especially in dry air. Taking a reliever medicine before exercise, warming up, and training regularly can help prevent symptoms. Ask your provider first.
What are biologics for asthma?
Biologics are medicines given by injection. They may help when asthma is difficult to control with other treatments.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Asthma | Asthma Symptoms | Asthma Attack
- National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute - Asthma - Treatment and Action Plan
- MedlinePlus - Asthma: MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia
Medical Disclaimer
This content is for general educational and informational purposes only and is not medical advice. It is not a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and reading it does not create a doctor-patient relationship. Always seek the advice of your physician or another qualified health provider with any questions about a medical condition, and never disregard or delay seeking professional advice because of something you read here. If you think you may have a medical emergency, call 911 (or your local emergency number) immediately.
