Asthma | Asthma and Respiratory

Asthma and Respiratory Care

Asthma

Our dedicated asthma experts provide treatment plans tailored to you. Our team approach ensures you receive the most complete care.

Medically reviewed by Samuel Louie, M.D. on April 16, 2024.

Man sitting on a park bench holding his chest as he’s about to use an inhaler.

What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung condition. During an asthma attack, inflammation and constriction in your airways and excess mucus can make it hard to breathe. For some people, asthma symptoms come and go. Other people may experience symptoms often. Asthma can be mild or severe.

Our UC Davis Asthma Network (UCAN) specialists are experts at treating asthma and its underlying causes, and we specialize in severe and treatment-resistant asthma. We offer personalized, comprehensive treatment plans and access to clinical trials for the latest therapies. Our Comprehensive Pediatric Pulmonary Care team also provides top-ranked care for children with asthma. 

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Asthma Symptoms

Symptoms of asthma can be mild or severe.

Common Symptoms

Asthma symptoms may include:

  • Coughing that may be worse at night
  • Pressure or tightness in your chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing (whistling sound when you breathe)

Emergency Symptoms

Severe asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Call 911 or get medical attention right away if you experience: 

  • Blue or gray lips or fingernails 
  • Confusion 
  • Shortness of breath that doesn’t go away 
  • Trouble talking because you can’t breathe 
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Asthma Causes

The cause of asthma is unknown, but many different things can irritate your lungs and cause asthma symptoms or an attack. Triggers include:

Allergens or Irritants in the Air

Air pollution, chemical fumes, tobacco smoke, pollen, dust and other airborne irritants can cause asthma symptoms.

Dust Mites and Pests

The droppings from cockroaches, dust mites, mice, rats and other pests can trigger asthma symptoms.

Exercise

Physical activity often triggers asthma symptoms (exercise-induced asthma).

GERD

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) causes stomach acid to flow up from your stomach, which can trigger asthma symptoms.

Infections

Viral infections that affect your lungs can cause asthma attacks or make your symptoms worse.

Mold

Mold that grows inside buildings can trigger asthma symptoms.

Pets

If you’re allergic to animal dander, being around pets can cause asthma symptoms.

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Asthma Risk Factors

Certain factors can raise your risk of developing asthma. They include:

Allergies

Having any allergic condition can raise your risk of asthma.

Biological Sex

In children, more boys than girls have asthma. In teens and adults, more women than men have asthma.

Ethnicity

African American and Puerto Rican people have a higher risk of asthma than people of other ethnicities.

Family History

Having parents or other close biological relatives with asthma raises your risk.

Obesity

People with obesity have a higher risk of developing asthma.

Occupation

Having a job that exposes you to chemical fumes or dust raises your asthma risk.

Tobacco or Marijuana Smoke and E-Cigarette Aerosols

Smoking or inhaling secondhand smoke or e-cigarette aerosols increases your risk of developing asthma. Learn how our support programs can help you stop smoking.

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Asthma Diagnosis and Testing

We offer advanced diagnostic tests to better understand your asthma symptoms and check for any other related health conditions you might have.

You may have tests, such as:

  • Allergy testing, to identify inhaled allergens that might trigger asthma attacks
  • Biomarker testing, to check for certain molecules in your body using blood and breath tests. The results give more detailed information about your asthma and help your team provide highly personalized treatment.
  • Bronchoscopy, to allow your provider to see inside your airways using a scope
  • Chest X-ray and CT scans, to check for infections or other problems in your lungs that may affect your breathing
  • Pulmonary function testing, to see how much air you breathe in and out, and how easily you breathe

Asthma Treatment at UC Davis Health

Our asthma experts provide comprehensive care in our UCAN Clinic and pediatric severe asthma clinic. We combine care, education and research to give you a personalized action plan and the latest therapies.

Allergy Medications

If allergies trigger your asthma attacks, you may need allergy medication.

Biologic Therapies

Biologic therapies use antibodies that prevent asthma symptoms by blocking processes in your body that lead to airway inflammation.

Control Medications

You take these medications every day to lower your risk of asthma attacks.

Rescue Medications

Rescue medications provide quick relief during an asthma attack. These medications are usually inhaled and quickly open your airways. 

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Preventing Asthma Attacks

These steps may help you reduce the amount of asthma attacks you have or help reduce the severity of your symptoms:

Avoid Your Triggers

If you know your asthma triggers and can avoid them, you may be able to prevent some asthma attacks.

Take Your Medications as Prescribed

Take your asthma medications as prescribed and keep your rescue medication with you at all times.

“Asthma Causes and Triggers,” National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, https://www.nhlbi.nih.gov/health/asthma/causes

Who does it affect?

24.9MPeople in the U.S.

Annual asthma deaths

>3,500In the U.S.

Source: Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC): Most Recent National Asthma Data

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