Asthma Diagnosis and Management for Adults

Asthma is a chronic, long-term condition in which the airways in the lungs become inflamed and narrowed, which makes it harder to move air in and out. This causes recurring wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath that can flare during an asthma attack. Avita MD primary care providers diagnose and manage asthma for adults in Los Altos, Mountain View, and Los Gatos, helping you breathe easier with a treatment plan tailored to your triggers and goals.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma symptoms vary from person to person and tend to come and go. They often worsen at night, during exercise, or after exposure to a trigger. Common signs include:

• Wheezing, a whistling sound when you breathe out
• Coughing, especially at night or early in the morning
• Chest tightness or pressure
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble sleeping because of coughing or breathing problems

If you notice you are using a rescue inhaler more often or waking at night with symptoms, your asthma may not be well controlled and is worth a visit.

How does Avita MD diagnose and treat asthma?

At Avita MD, diagnosis starts with a careful review of your symptoms, triggers, and history, followed by a physical exam and breathing tests such as spirometry to measure your lung function. Because Avita MD offers same-day and next-day appointments, you can be seen quickly when symptoms flare rather than waiting weeks.

Management is built around three goals: controlling inflammation, relieving symptoms, and avoiding triggers. Your provider may prescribe a daily controller inhaler, a quick-relief rescue inhaler, and a written asthma action plan that tells you what to do as symptoms change. We track your breathing and medication use over time through longitudinal records, so we can step treatment up or down as your needs change. When asthma is severe, allergy-driven, or difficult to control, Avita MD coordinates referrals to pulmonology or allergy specialists and manages the follow-up.

Knowing your triggers is central to staying well. The table below pairs common triggers with practical steps:

Common trigger	Action to reduce flares
Pollen	Track local pollen counts and keep windows closed on high days
Dust mites	Use allergen-proof bedding covers and wash bedding in hot water
Pet dander	Keep pets out of the bedroom and bathe them regularly
Cold air	Cover your nose and mouth with a scarf in cold weather
Respiratory infections	Stay current on flu and other recommended vaccines
Tobacco smoke	Avoid smoking and secondhand smoke entirely

When should you see a doctor about asthma?

Make an appointment if you have a frequent cough or wheeze, get short of breath with everyday activity, need your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, or wake at night with breathing symptoms. You should also be seen if a previous asthma diagnosis feels out of control. Call 911 or go to the emergency room for severe shortness of breath, an inability to speak in full sentences, bluish lips or fingernails, or an attack that does not improve with your rescue inhaler. Early, steady care keeps asthma from limiting your daily life and lowers your risk of a serious attack.