Asthma Questions and Answers | Nashville Healthcare Center

Approximately 25 million people in the U.S. alone suffer from the chronic bronchial condition known as asthma. You might think of asthma as a pediatric disorder since it occurs so commonly in children. However, adults actually account for the majority of asthma cases, and the condition can persist for life.

If you struggle to breathe on occasion and wonder whether you might have asthma, you'll want to learn some basic facts about the condition, from its causes and symptoms to effective methods for keeping it under control. The following questions and answers may put you on the right path toward a healthier, more comfortable life.

What Does Asthma Involve?

Asthma involves an abnormal narrowing of the airways leading from the nose and throat to the lungs. When a specific trigger irritates these two tube-like passages, they respond by producing histamine and other substances. These substances cause the airway walls to swell up and their muscles to constrict, reducing airflow.

Asthma can vary widely in severity from one individual to another. Mild cases may cause only minor breathing problems for a few moments before airflow returns to normal. However, a severe asthma attack can make breathing almost impossible. Untreated, these severe asthma attacks can lead to death.

What Symptoms Accompany an Asthma Attack?

Typical signs of an asthma attack include a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and whistling noises from your lungs when you breathe out. This last symptom, commonly called wheezing, occurs most frequently in children. Asthma symptoms may awaken you from sleep.

Bear in mind that many other health conditions can create asthma-like symptoms. Examples include sinusitis, congestive heart failure, the accidental inhalation of food or a foreign object, throat or vocal cord issues, and a variety of lung diseases. Schedule a medical examination to confirm the exact cause of your distress.

Why Do People Suffer From Asthma?

No one knows for certain why some people get asthma and others don't. However, ethnic and social risk factors may make some segments of the population more susceptible. For instance, black children and adults seem to face elevated risks for the condition, while women suffer from asthma more frequently than men. 

A wide range of allergens and other triggers can provoke an asthma attack. Common asthma triggers include pollen, mold, smoke, dust mites, airborne chemicals, and anti-inflammatory drugs. Influenza or a cold can trigger an attack. Some people may experience asthma after physical activity.

How Do Doctors Treat Asthma?

If you suffer from asthma, your doctor can prescribe corticosteroids in an inhaler. (Some inhalers also include airway-opening drugs called inhaled long-acting beta2 agonists.) When you experience an asthma attack, the inhaler can arrest your symptoms quickly and effectively.



A severe asthma attack may require oral or intravenous medications for the quickest, strongest relief possible. If your asthma refuses to respond to drugs, your doctor may recommend a procedure called bronchial thermoplasty. The application of a hot electrode to the airway walls impairs the airway muscles' ability to tighten up.

What Can You Do to Manage Your Asthma?

Once you know you have asthma, some smart preventative steps can help reduce the frequency of future asthma attacks. Avoid known asthma triggers in your home, outdoors, or workplace environment. Carry your inhaler with you at all times so you can use it at the first sign of an attack. Take care not to overexert yourself.

If you need help with any kind of respiratory symptoms, including the telltale signs of asthma, contact Nashville Healthcare Center. Our skilled pulmonology team can diagnose your condition, prescribe treatment to help you breathe, and advise you on lifestyle changes to help you keep breathing more easily.