Asthma
At Cooper University Health Care, our specialists provide expert care for asthma to help patients breathe easier and live healthier.
Call for an appointment: 800.8.COOPER
Asthma is a long-term condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways in the lungs.
The swelling can make it harder to breathe and lead to wheezing, chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. Symptoms can range from mild to severe and may occur occasionally or every day. When symptoms suddenly get worse, it is called an asthma attack.
Asthma can affect people of all ages but often begins in childhood. The goal of treatment is to control symptoms through an individualized asthma action plan that may include monitoring, avoiding triggers, and using medicines as prescribed.
Asthma can start at any age but often begins in childhood. Adult-onset asthma may develop later, especially in women. Risk factors include:
Cigarette smoke, air pollution, workplace chemicals, industrial dusts, and allergens like pollen or mold can trigger asthma or make symptoms worse. Occupational asthma may develop after repeated exposure at work.
Having a parent with asthma—especially a mother—raises the risk, as do inherited genes that affect the immune system.
Allergies, obesity, and frequent respiratory infections in early childhood may increase the risk.
African Americans and Puerto Ricans have a higher risk of asthma, and African American and Hispanic children are more likely to die from asthma-related causes than non-Hispanic white Americans.
In childhood, more boys than girls have asthma. Among teens and adults, asthma is more common in women.
Signs, Symptoms, and Complications
Asthma symptoms can vary from occasional discomfort to severe, life-threatening attacks. The most common symptoms include:
- Chest tightness.
- Coughing, especially at night or in the early morning.
- Shortness of breath.
- Wheezing (a whistling sound when exhaling).
Symptoms may:
- Come and go over time or during the same day.
- Start or worsen with viral infections like colds.
- Be triggered by exercise, allergens, cold air, or strong emotions.
- Be worse at night or early in the morning.
Uncontrolled asthma can limit daily activities and cause long-term lung damage.
Diagnosing Asthma
Diagnosis is based on medical history, physical exam, and diagnostic tests. Testing may include:
- Pulmonary function tests such as spirometry to measure lung capacity and airflow.
- Bronchodilator tests to see if airways open after taking inhaled medicine.
- Bronchoprovocation tests to measure airway reaction to allergens or irritants.
- Peak expiratory flow tests to track how quickly air moves out of the lungs.
- Allergy tests to identify triggers.
Children under six may not be able to perform lung function tests. Doctors often try asthma medicines for a few months to see if symptoms improve before making a diagnosis.
Additional tests may include chest X-rays, EKGs, laryngoscopy, sleep studies, or tests for gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) to rule out other causes of symptoms.
Treatment Options
Treatment focuses on controlling symptoms, preventing attacks, and maintaining a normal lifestyle. It may include:
Control medicines
Taken daily to prevent symptoms by reducing airway inflammation, these include:
- Inhaled corticosteroids to reduce inflammation.
- Biologic medicines given by injection for severe asthma.
- Leukotriene modifiers to block airway-constricting responses.
- Mast cell stabilizers to prevent inflammation caused by allergens.
- Long-acting beta2-agonists (LABAs) to keep airways open (used with corticosteroids).
Short-term relief medicines
Also called rescue medicines, these are used during asthma attacks or symptom flare-ups. They include:
- Short-acting beta2-agonists (SABAs) for quick relief of airway tightness.
- Corticosteroids by mouth or IV for severe attacks.
- Short-acting anticholinergics for people who cannot tolerate SABAs.
Emergency care
Severe attacks may require oxygen therapy, IV medicines, or assisted breathing.
Procedures
For severe asthma that does not improve with other treatments, bronchial thermoplasty may be recommended. This procedure uses heat to reduce airway muscle thickness and improve breathing.
Managing asthma involves ongoing care and healthy habits, including:
Create an asthma action plan with your doctor that outlines medicines, triggers to avoid, and steps to take during an asthma attack. Share the plan with schools or caregivers if your child has asthma.
Get regular checkups to monitor symptoms, review inhaler technique, and adjust treatment as needed.
Use a peak flow meter or diary to track symptoms and prevent attacks.
Adopt healthy habits like staying active, eating well, maintaining a healthy weight, managing stress, and avoiding smoke exposure.
Limit exposure to triggers like allergens, air pollution, and occupational irritants.
Recognize warning signs of serious attacks and know when to call 9-1-1.
Why Choose Cooper for Asthma Care
At Cooper University Health Care, our goal is to help you or your child manage asthma so you can live life to the fullest. We offer:
- A wide network of board-certified primary care providers, including internal medicine physicians, family medicine physicians, and pediatricians, to help manage asthma day-to-day.
- Board-certified, fellowship-trained adult and pediatric specialists in allergy/immunology and pulmonary medicine for advanced care when needed.
- Specialized diagnostic testing for accurate diagnosis and treatment planning.
- Access to physicians involved in clinical research so you benefit from the latest, most effective treatment options.
- Convenient office locations across South Jersey.
- Clinical and social service support to help you manage the challenges of living with a chronic lung condition.
Make an Appointment With an Asthma Expert at Cooper
To learn more or to request an appointment, please call 800.8.COOPER (800.826.6737) or click below to schedule online.