Asthma Management

Managing asthma symptoms can help you breathe better and enjoy life to its fullest. Dr. Hariri provides advanced care and management of asthma so patients in the Greater Los Angeles area can reduce symptoms and breathe more easily.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease that affects the muscles of the airways and the lungs, causing chronic inflammation that makes it more difficult to breathe. When inflammation occurs, the airways become narrower, making it more difficult for air to reach the lungs. Asthma also results in increased mucus production, which can build up in airway linings and contribute to breathing difficulties. Asthma symptoms often become worse in response to triggers, like extreme temperatures or exposure to specific types of allergens like dust or pollen. Some people experience asthma symptoms in response to exercise.

What symptoms does asthma cause?

Asthma symptoms usually include:

• wheezing when breathing, which sometimes sounds like a “hissing” noise

• persistent cough

• tightening in the chest

• difficulty breathing

Chronic symptoms are often worse in the morning and tend to clear up as the day wears on.

How is asthma diagnosed?

During your appointment, Dr. Hariri will talk to you about your symptoms and listen to your lungs and airways as you breathe in and out. He'll also ask you about your family history of asthma and personal and family history of allergies, which often occur in people with asthma. You'll probably also be asked to perform a simple breathing test that measures your lung capacity by having you exhale into a tube that measures the amount of air you expel. In some cases, Dr. Hariri may order a chest x-ray to rule out other conditions that can cause similar symptoms.

How is asthma treated?

In mild cases of asthma, avoiding known triggers may be enough to prevent significant issues. But when symptoms affect quality of life and make it difficult to breathe when doing normal activities or pursuing active hobbies, Dr. Hariri may prescribe medication that can inhaled using a portable, handheld device called an inhaler or an electric device called a nebulizer.