Asthma

Asthma is a lung condition that impacts your ability to breathe. The airways in your lungs become inflamed and narrow, which makes it harder for air to move in and out. 

Excess mucus may also build up in your airways. The muscles around your airways may tighten. 

Asthma is chronic, meaning it is a lifelong condition. If you have asthma, you will have periods where your symptoms do not bother you. Other times, during an asthma attack, your symptoms may flare up. When this happens, you may need more medicines. You may also need to visit an emergency department and stay at a hospital for treatment. 

Asthma often develops in childhood but can also develop during adulthood. Triggers can make asthma symptoms worse. These include air pollution, cigarette smoke, viral illnesses, environmental allergens, or exercise. 

To diagnose asthma, your doctor will ask you questions and may want to know if you have allergies. They will also do a physical exam. They will listen to your breathing and look at your nose, throat and upper airway. 

Your doctor may ask you to take tests. These include: 

• Lung function testing to determine how well your lungs work. A respiratory therapist will measure how well your lungs can exhale air. They may also do tests to measure your lung volume and to assess how well air moves from your lungs into your blood. 
• X-ray of your chest to take an image (called a radiograph) of your lungs. 
• Allergy testing to see if certain common environmental allergies are causing your symptoms. 
• Lab tests to check the levels of white blood cells and other markers in your blood. You will give a blood sample, and the sample will be sent to a laboratory.

There is no cure for asthma. Treatment can control your symptoms. It can also prevent damage to your airways and help you maintain a good quality of life.

Treatment strategies for asthma include:

• Inhalers: These devices let you breathe in medication as a powder or mist. Some contain preventative medicine, while others relieve symptoms quickly. 
• Oral medication: Your doctor may recommend pills or syrups for your asthma symptoms. 
• Allergy medication: Asthma is sometimes tied to allergies. Controlling your body’s reaction to an allergen can improve asthma symptoms. 
• Recognizing triggers: You may notice your asthma gets worse in certain situations. These situations may include exercise, allergy season, or exposure to air pollution. Knowing your asthma triggers can help manage your symptoms. 
• Asthma action plan: Your doctor may ask you to create a document that states what to do during an asthma attack. This can help if shortness of breath makes it difficult to remember or communicate. You can give copies to loved ones, friends, or staff at a child’s school.  

Asthma attacks can be deadly. Seek emergency medical care if your breathing does not improve.

Clinics that treat asthma

The Indigenous Wellness Liaison Team is here to support your health journey. Team members offer cultural support and healthcare advocacy. Learn more below or call them at 604-682-2344,62937 or email IWL@providencehealth.bc.ca

Advances in treatments are all thanks to medical research. While participating in research is a decision you should make for yourself in consultation with your care team, there is much activity in this area so please ask us about our research programs if you’re interested.

By taking part in research, you can help us all learn more about advancing health outcomes and find better ways to help people live and thrive. While you cannot assume benefit to yourself, your participation can make a difference in improving care for future patients.

The following clinical trials are currently enrolling volunteers. Please ask your care team for more information or contact the research team listed on each study or trial. For other information about research at Providence Health Care, please visit Providence Research.