Bronchial Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, and Treatment
Medically reviewed by Achuta Uppu, MD, Internal Medicine. Last reviewed: October 23, 2026.
What kind of doctor treats Bronchial Asthma?
An allergist is a doctor who treats allergies and asthma. A pulmonologist is a doctor who treats lung diseases. Either can diagnose and treat bronchial asthma. Many people first get care from their primary care doctor. 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 bronchial asthma?
Bronchial asthma, usually just called asthma, is a long-term lung disease. The airways are the tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. With asthma they are always a little swollen. When something bothers them, they get more swollen, and the muscles around them tighten. Air then has a hard time moving in and out. There is no cure for asthma. But it can be managed so you can live a normal, healthy life.
Symptoms
Asthma causes wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and coughing, often at night or early in the morning. Wheezing, a scratchy or whistling sound when you breathe, is the most common symptom. Other symptoms include shortness of breath, chest tightness or pain, chronic coughing, and trouble sleeping because of coughing or wheezing.
When symptoms flare up, it is called an asthma attack. During an attack, the sides of the airways swell, the airways shrink, and mucus clogs them, so less air gets in and out. Symptoms may be worse during exercise, when you have a cold, or during times of high stress.
Causes and who gets it
Doctors do not know one single cause of asthma. It runs in families. People with a family history of allergies or asthma are more likely to develop it. Many people with asthma also have allergies. Symptoms start when you breathe in things called triggers. Common triggers include pet hair or dander, dust mites, pollen, mold, air pollution, cold weather, tobacco smoke, physical activity, strong emotions, and colds. Aspirin and other NSAIDs, which are common pain relievers, can also trigger symptoms. Some people only have symptoms when they exercise. This is called exercise-induced asthma.
How doctors diagnose it
A doctor asks about your symptoms and your family's history of asthma, allergies, and other breathing problems. The doctor listens to your lungs with a stethoscope, a tool for hearing sounds inside the body. A breathing test called spirometry shows how much air you can blow out after a deep breath, before and after you use asthma medicine. Other tests include allergy testing, peak flow measurements, which show how fast air moves out of your lungs, and a chest X-ray to check for other conditions.
Treatment
Asthma is treated with two kinds of medicine. Controller medicines are taken every day to prevent attacks, even when you feel fine. Inhaled corticosteroids are controller medicines that you breathe in through an inhaler. Some controller inhalers mix a corticosteroid with a long-acting beta-agonist, a medicine that opens the airways. Long-acting beta-agonists should never be the only asthma medicine. They should be used only along with an inhaled corticosteroid. Leukotriene modifiers are pills that help too. Quick-relief, or rescue, medicines relax and open the airways fast during an attack. They include short-acting beta-agonists, inhaled medicines that widen the airways. If you use your rescue medicine more than twice a week, your asthma may not be under control, so see your doctor. A severe attack may need oral corticosteroids, oxygen, or a hospital stay. Everyone with asthma should have a written asthma action plan that lists your medicines, your triggers, and what to do when symptoms get worse.
When to see a doctor
See a doctor if you think you have asthma symptoms, such as a lot of coughing or wheezing. Call 911 right away for extreme difficulty breathing, a bluish color to the lips or face, severe drowsiness or confusion during an attack, or if breathing temporarily stops. These are emergency symptoms.
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. This kind of doctor can evaluate your breathing, start asthma care, and help you build an asthma action plan. They can also follow up on your control over time and refer you to an allergist or pulmonologist when needed.
Common questions
Is asthma curable?
No, there is no cure for asthma. But it can be controlled. Taking your medicines as directed and staying away from your triggers lets most people live a normal, healthy life.
What is an asthma action plan?
It is a written plan for managing your asthma. It lists which medicines to take every day, your triggers and how to avoid them, and how to recognize when your asthma is getting worse. It also says when to contact your provider.
Why do I need controller medicine every day?
Controller medicines such as inhaled corticosteroids help you have fewer and milder asthma attacks. You must take them every day for them to work as well as possible, even when you feel OK. Quick-relief medicines do not take the place of controller medicines.
When should I use my rescue inhaler?
Use it during an attack, for coughing, wheezing, or trouble breathing, or just before physical activity if your doctor prescribed it that way. Tell your provider if you are using it more than twice a week. That can mean your asthma is not under control.
Sources
- MedlinePlus - Asthma
- American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology - Asthma Symptoms, Diagnosis, Management and Treatment
- Centers for Disease Control and Prevention - About Asthma
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.
