Asthma is a common lung condition that can make it difficult to breathe. In asthma, your airways become narrow and inflamed, and they may produce extra mucus. This can lead to symptoms like coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness.

Symptoms of Asthma

While asthma is a lifelong disease, most people have periodic attacks separated by symptoms-free periods. People with asthma may experience:

• Coughing, especially at night or early in the morning
• Wheezing (whistling or scratching sound when breathing)
• Trouble breathing
• Chest tightness

Who Is Most Likely To Get Asthma?

• People can develop asthmas at any age. The condition appears most often in children. You are at a greater risk if you have a family history of asthma or suffer from allergies. Other types of asthma include:
• Occupational asthma: This condition can happen when you breathe dust, chemicals or other irritants at work.
• Exercise-induced asthma: Some people wheeze or cough during physical activity. This type of asthma happens when you work out or do anything active. The condition is also called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB).

How Is Asthma Diagnosed?

• If you suspect that you or a loved one has asthma, you should see an asthma specialist. Our board-certified physicians are experts in diagnosing and treating adult asthma and pediatric (childhood) asthma.

What Triggers An Asthma Attack?

A variety of factors may provoke an attack. Common triggers include:

• Allergens: Animal dander, mold, dust mites, pollen and certain food allergies
• Environmental factors: Changes in weather, air pollutants and irritants such as tobacco smoke
• Lifestyle traits: Exercise, stress and strong emotions
• Medications: Some pain medications and beta blockers
• Other medical conditions: Respiratory infections and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)

Evaluation

• We offer thorough evaluation and diagnosis of all types of asthma. Your doctor may request Spirometry.
• Spirometry: For this simple breathing test, you blow into a tube so we can measure your lung function. Sometimes we test you with and without an inhaler to see how reversible your lung function is.

Asthma Treatment

Once you have an asthma diagnosis, your allergist usually helps you treat and manage your asthma. The goal is to control inflammation, avoid triggers and make a plan to manage sudden attacks.

We develop a treatment plan specific to your health, your needs and your priorities. Your asthma plan may include: 

Asthma medications: Doctors treat asthma with a variety of short- and long-term medications. Some of these medications are ones you inhale. We'll help you find the inhaler that works for you. 

Advanced care for severe asthma: Severe asthma, also known as refractory asthma, doesn't respond to typical treatment. At Allergy & Asthma Specialists of Kansas City, we have the skills and the tools to offer solutions for refractory asthma including Allergen Immunotherapy and Biologics. We offer these therapies for those who qualify.

Learn more about Biologics