Asthma

What is Asthma?

Asthma, also known as bronchial asthma, is one of the most common chronic conditions, affecting approximately 1 in every 12 children in America. It is a condition in which your airways narrow and swell, often producing extra mucus. This can make breathing difficult and trigger coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. While asthma cannot be cured, its symptoms can be effectively controlled with proper treatment.

Symptoms

• Shortness of breath, especially during physical activity or at night
• Chest tightness or pain
• Wheezing when exhaling, a common sign in children
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing, or wheezing
• Coughing or wheezing attacks worsened by a respiratory virus

Triggers

Asthma symptoms can be triggered by various factors including airborne allergens (pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold), respiratory infections, physical activity, cold air, air pollutants and irritants, certain medications, stress, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Identifying your specific triggers is an important step in managing your condition.

Treatment

Dr. Singh develops personalized asthma management plans that may include long-term control medications, quick-relief (rescue) inhalers, allergy-based treatments, and bronchial thermoplasty for severe cases. Pulmonary function testing helps monitor how well your treatment is working and guides adjustments to your plan over time.