If you’ve experienced a shortness of breath that you simply cannot recover from, you may wonder if you have asthma. It might have felt as if you could not get enough air into your lungs. There are many causes of shortness of breath, and asthma is one of them.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma can be a serious condition. It causes a narrowing of your airways. It may also cause your airway to swell. You may develop a thick mucus. Together, they constrict your airway to such a degree that it causes shortness of breath, a lack of oxygen supply, and in the most serious attacks, it can lead to death. Asthma can cause you to cough uncontrollably or make a wheezing sound when you breathe.

What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?

Asthma symptoms are different in different people. Some people have asthma that is only triggered by exercise. Others have symptoms all the time. The symptoms include shortness of breath and wheezing but can also include chest tightness and pain, difficulty sleeping, and coughing or wheezing attacks where it is difficult to catch your breath.

What Causes Asthma?

There are many things that can cause asthma to flare up, such as pollution in the air, allergies, getting sick with colds, and cold air. Cigarette smoke can also be very dangerous. Certain foods and drinks, particularly those containing sulfites, can also trigger an asthma attack.

How Is Asthma Treated?

While there is no cure for asthma, the condition can be controlled with the right treatment. Because your asthma can change over time, it’s important to continue to have the condition monitored and to change the medication. Asthma is treated with a variety of inhaled treatments as well as pills. Some behavior modification therapy may also be necessary if your asthma is triggered by stress.

Not sure if you have asthma? There are many things that can contribute to difficulty breathing and it’s critical that you seek an evaluation from an experienced pulmonologist and breathing specialist to get to the bottom of your particular symptoms. Whether your shortness of breath just came on suddenly or it has been an ongoing problem, contact our office at 212-480-4062 to schedule an appointment with Dr. Bowen as soon as possible. We can provide effective and long-term shortness of breath treatment.