Asthma: symptoms, diagnosis and treatment

What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term condition in which the airways become inflamed and unusually sensitive. The muscles around them can tighten, their lining can swell, and mucus can increase. Together, these changes make breathing more difficult.

Symptoms often vary: you may feel well on some days and struggle on others. Asthma can begin in childhood or adulthood. It is not contagious, and effective treatment helps many people stay active and sleep well.

Which symptoms suggest asthma?

Tell your doctor when symptoms occur, how long they last and what brings them on. A normal chest examination between episodes does not settle the diagnosis. Cough alone has several possible causes.

Read our persistent cough guide or explore asthma specialist services in Lahore for appointment information.

Triggers: why symptoms may flare

Triggers differ between people. Viral infections, tobacco smoke, vaping, strong fumes, cold air and exercise can provoke symptoms. Relevant allergens may include house dust mites, pollen, mould or animal dander.

Keep a brief diary of symptoms and exposures. If breathing improves on weekends or holidays and worsens at work, mention this specifically. Workplace dusts and chemicals may need further investigation.

In Lahore, planning around poor air quality is a useful part of asthma care. Our Lahore smog guide explains exposure reduction. Avoid smoking and second-hand smoke, and discuss practical changes at home and work rather than trying to remove every possible trigger.

How is asthma diagnosed?

Diagnosis combines a compatible symptom pattern with objective evidence that airflow varies. Your history, examination and test quality all matter.

At Australian Polyclinic, bronchial challenge testing uses hypertonic saline for selected patients. It is a supervised test with suitability checks, not a routine requirement for everyone.

Complete pulmonary function testing may be useful when symptoms need a broader explanation. Allergy testing can investigate suspected triggers; it does not independently diagnose asthma. Other investigations are chosen to answer specific questions.

Asthma treatment: protect the airways as well as relieve symptoms

Inhaled corticosteroid-containing treatment is central to asthma care in adults and adolescents. It treats inflammation and reduces attacks. A short-acting reliever such as salbutamol can ease symptoms, but using it alone is not the recommended long-term approach.

Another option is a regular preventer, sometimes combined with a long-acting bronchodilator, plus a separate reliever. Selection depends on your symptoms, attack history, ability to use the device and local availability.

Make the prescribed treatment work for you

Bring your inhalers to appointments so technique can be checked. Ask about a spacer if using a compatible pressurised inhaler. Rinse your mouth and spit after regular inhaled steroid doses, following device advice. Report hoarseness, mouth soreness or other difficulties rather than abandoning treatment.

Your everyday asthma plan

• Know your medicines: understand which inhaler is used when, and check supplies and expiry dates.
• Have a written action plan: it should explain usual treatment, what to do if symptoms worsen, and when to seek urgent care.
• Review changing symptoms: night waking, restricted activity or increasing reliever use deserve attention.
• Arrange follow-up: review after an attack and whenever treatment changes; discuss the timing with your clinician.

Also discuss exercise, weight, vaccinations and conditions that may affect breathing, such as nasal allergy or sleep-related symptoms. The goal is a plan you can follow in daily life, with the lowest effective treatment that maintains control.

This guide is mainly for adults and adolescents. Younger children need age-specific assessment and inhaler advice. During pregnancy, arrange a medication review and do not stop asthma treatment on your own.

When asthma remains difficult to control

Persistent symptoms do not automatically mean severe asthma. First, a clinician checks the diagnosis, inhaler technique, regular use of treatment, exposures and associated conditions.

If asthma remains uncontrolled despite appropriate treatment, specialist assessment may identify a particular inflammatory pattern and suitable additional therapy. Selected patients may benefit from biologic medicines; eligibility, dosing, availability and cost vary.

Repeated steroid-tablet courses or emergency visits are reasons to reassess the long-term plan. Steroid tablets may be necessary for attacks, but frequent exposure carries risks. Do not start or repeat a course without medical instructions.

Where does allergy testing fit?

If symptoms suggest an allergic pattern, skin prick allergy testing may help identify relevant sensitisation. Results must match your symptoms and exposures. Avoid broad food restrictions based only on a positive test.

The Allergy Centre Lahore offers assessment and selected allergen immunotherapy. Immunotherapy is an additional option for appropriately selected patients; it does not replace asthma inhalers and should not be started while asthma is uncontrolled.

Frequently asked questions