Asthma treatment available online today

Request treatment for asthma online from our trusted, board-certified doctors and find relief from breathing difficulty and coughing today. Get a new prescription to treat asthma or refill an existing prescription today.*

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Personalized treatment for Asthma control

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Manage Asthma concerns conveniently from anywhere

*Prescriptions are provided at the doctor's discretion. Learn more about our controlled substances policy and how to save up to 80% with our prescription discount card. PlushCare doctors cannot treat all cases of Asthma. Our primary care physicians can conduct an initial evaluation of your symptoms but may need to refer you to a specialist or for in-person treatment. If you are experiencing life-threatening symptoms, seek emergency medical attention immediately.

Learn about asthma

Asthma is a medical condition that makes it difficult to breathe. Asthma can be mild or severe and often runs in families. Asthma can occur in childhood or adulthood. Asthma symptoms can flare up by certain environmental or non-environmental factors. An asthma flare-up is referred to as an asthma "trigger" or asthma attack. Different types of asthma can overlap one another, or be stand alone as the primary type of asthma.

Types of asthma may include:

  • Allergic asthma

  • Nonallergic asthma

  • Occupational asthma

  • Severe asthma

Allergic asthma is caused by things in the environment that cause allergic reactions. Allergic asthma attacks are caused by "triggers." Examples of allergic asthma triggers include:

  • Pollen from trees, grass, and weeds

  • Mold

  • Dust mites

  • Cats and dogs (animal saliva, urine, and dander)

  • Mice (fur, dander, and droppings)

  • Tobacco smoke or secondhand smoke

Nonallergic asthma is a type of asthma not related to allergies such as pollen or dust. Nonallergic asthma is less understood, but usually occurs in adulthood and is associated with more severe asthma symptoms and illness. Infections typically exacerbate nonallergic asthma.

Examples of nonallergic asthma triggers include:

Occupational asthma, also known as work-aggravated asthma, is caused by substances in the workplace. These substances, called irritants, cause inflammation in the lungs and trigger asthma symptoms. Occupational asthma involves hands-on professions that deal with animals or harsh chemicals.

Irritants that trigger occupational asthma include:

  • Chemical compounds (paint hardeners, paint thinners, various glues, and insulation)

  • Gases, smoke, fumes, and aerosols

  • Farm and lab animals (fur, saliva, feces, and dander)

  • Fish and shellfish (crab and shrimp exposure and processing)

  • Flour proteins (food processors, bakers, dock workers)

  • Diisocyanate chemicals (plastic production, spray paint, adhesives, and sealants)

  • Foam coating manufacturing

  • Acrylates (nail salon workers, dental hygienists, auto body repair shops, and assembly workers)

  • Metals for welding (chromium, cobalt, nickel, platinum, and zinc).

Severe asthma is defined as frequent and persistent asthma symptoms. Severe asthma usually requires an asthma specialist and treatment plan. People diagnosed with severe asthma have more inflammation in their lungs compared to people without severe asthma. Severe asthma is persistent, hard to control, and causes airway inflammation. Experts believe that severe asthma is linked to a genetic component that causes increased symptom severity.

Asthma causes

  • Overall causes and factors for asthma

    A mixture of environmental and genetic influences are overall causes and factors for asthma. The following environmental and genetic factors influence asthma:

    • Maternal age and diet

    • Premature birth

    • Vitamin D deficiency

    • Medication exposure at an early age

    • Hereditary factors

    • Pollen, dust, mold, or tobacco smoke exposure

    • Chemical irritant exposure

    • Respiratory infections



    Once asthma is diagnosed, triggers may be identified to reduce symptoms, avoid asthma attacks, and improve lung function.



Asthma symptoms

  • People with asthma become aware of their patterns and are able to predict allergy triggers, treat symptoms, as well as relieve symptoms quickly. Asthma symptoms can occur daily or less often.

    Common asthma symptoms may include:

    • Difficulty breathing

    • Shortness of breath

    • Wheezing or noisy breathing

    • Cough (often worse at night)

    • Chest pain (tightness)



    Asthma treatment is mainly preventing attacks or getting them under control quickly. Many treatments are available to manage asthma symptoms.



How to treat asthma

Asthma is a life-threatening illness but can be managed with prescription medications, herbal and natural remedies, lifestyle, and diet. Prescription medications are used for disease control, prevention, quick relief during sudden symptoms, and long-term control.

Herbal and natural remedies are being studied alongside prescription medications. Soy isoflavone supplements are a possible natural remedy for asthma symptoms. Talk to your doctor before you take herbal or natural remedies for your asthma symptoms.

The right nutrients can help you breathe easier and minimize symptoms. Vitamin D plays an important role in boosting your immune system by keeping excessive inflammation at bay. Vitamin E has been shown to decrease the risk of coughing and wheezing. Foods with sulfites, salicylates, and gas-inducing foods should be avoided. Foods that cause bloating should be avoided since it is more difficult to breathe when bloated.

Asthma action plans are treatment plans used to prevent asthma attacks. According to the American Lung Association, asthma management is supported by an asthma action plan. Asthma action plans provide medical education for people diagnosed with asthma so that they understand which steps to take in order to keep asthma symptoms under control. Your PlushCare doctor can create an asthma action plan for you which may include quick-relief medication and long-term asthma medication.



Asthma medications

Prescription medications are available to treat asthma. Two main asthma medications are available: quick-relief and long-term control medications are used to treat asthma. Your doctor may prescribe inhalers, liquids, or oral medications to manage your asthma. The medication prescribed for your treatment plan depends on the severity and frequency of symptoms.

  • Quick-relief medications are used for sudden flare-ups and work within minutes. On average, people with asthma need a quick-relief inhaler, also known as a rescue inhaler, 1 to 2 times per week, more or less, depending on asthma symptoms, severity, and triggers.

    Long-term control asthma medications are used to prevent future attacks. If you get asthma symptoms twice a week, you will most likely be prescribed a long-term control asthma medication. Long-term control medications are typically used once or twice per day and take a few weeks to build up in your system.

    Common asthma medications include:

  • Inhalers

    These are medical devices used to deliver quick relief medicines directly into your lungs. Quick-relief inhalers, like albuterol, levalbuterol, and ipratropium work immediately.

  • Bronchodilators

    These are types of medications that widen parts of the lung responsible for carrying air in and out of the lungs. Short-acting beta-agonists (SABA) like albuterol and long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) like salmeterol, olodaterol, Advair, and Symbicort can help stop asthma attacks. Both relax the muscles around the airway and lungs.

  • Corticosteroids

    If symptoms persist, a strong type of medication is used for those who are not responding to other asthma treatments. Oral corticosteroids and inhaled corticosteroids can help reduce inflammation in the lungs.

How to prevent asthma

The best way to prevent an asthma attack is to avoid asthma triggers. An asthma trigger is anything that makes asthma symptoms worse. Triggers can cause an increase in lung inflammation, prompt an asthma attack, or require the use of a rescue inhaler.

Common asthma triggers may include:

  • Dust mites

  • Pet dander

  • Cold air

  • Air pollution

  • Cigarette smoke

  • Stress

  • Infections like the common cold, flu, or sinus infection

  • Strong scents like perfume or cleaning supplies

  • Exercise

  • Very dry air

  • Aspirin


The best thing to do is to stay away from triggers in order to maintain control. Prevent asthma attacks by being aware of triggers and improve your symptoms by being aware of common signs of asthma flare-ups.

When to see a doctor for asthma

Don't wait for an asthma attack to seek medical treatment. Asthma treatment should be prevention-focused, which means you do what you can now to prevent future attacks. Make an appointment to speak with an online doctor to discuss the best ways to manage your asthma symptoms.

Our doctors can provide you with a care plan to help you control asthma symptoms, discuss triggers and how to avoid them, and prescribe medications.



Asthma treatment FAQs

  • What is the best treatment for asthma?

    Controlling asthma triggers, with medication and asthma education, are important components of asthma treatment.

  • What are some early warning signs of asthma?

    Coughing frequently at nighttime or after exercise, recurrent bronchitis, and shortness of breath are early signs of asthma.

  • How does a doctor diagnose asthma?

    Diagnostic tests are performed to diagnose asthma and lung disease such as a peak flow meter test, spirometry, and other lung function test.

  • Who is most at risk for asthma?

    Premature children, overweight adults, overweight children, people who grew up in urban areas, adult women, boys, and having a positive family history of asthma are all risk factors.

  • Can asthma damage your lungs?

    Yes, asthma can cause lung damage, especially when it goes untreated.

3 simple steps to request asthma treatment today

Step 1

Book an asthma treatment appointment.

Book a same-day appointment from anywhere.



Step 2

Talk to your doctor about your asthma symptoms.

Visit with a doctor on your smartphone, computer, or tablet. Discuss asthma symptoms and what you hope to achieve after the visit.



Step 3

Pick up a prescription for asthma treatment.

Prescriptions can be sent to any local pharmacy.



Related conditions to asthma

  • People diagnosed with asthma are at increased risk to develop related conditions. Related asthma conditions also involve the lungs and breathing. The following are conditions related to asthma:



Asthma treatment pricing details

How pricing works

To request asthma treatment and get a new or refill on your prescription, join our monthly membership and get discounted visits.

Paying with insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

Copay

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price with insurance

Often the same as an office visit. Most patients with in-network insurance pay $30 or less!

  • We accept these insurance plans and many more:

    • Humana
    • Aetna
    • United Healthcare

Paying without insurance

Membership

$16.99/month

First month free

Visits

$129

30 days of free membership

  • Same-day appointments 7 days a week

  • Unlimited messages with your Care Team

  • Prescription discount card to save up to 80%

  • Exclusive discounts on lab tests

  • Free memberships for your family

  • Cancel anytime

Visit price without insurance

Initial visits are $129.

Book an appointment

If we're unable to treat you, we'll provide a full refund.

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PlushCare content is reviewed by MDs, PhDs, NPs, nutritionists, and other healthcare professionals. Learn more about our editorial standards and meet the medical team. The PlushCare site or any linked materials are not intended and should not be construed as medical advice, nor is the information a substitute for professional medical expertise or treatment.