Asthma (allergic bronchitis) can’t be cured, but it can be controlled. Learn how asthma is diagnosed in Delhi, how to choose the right inhaler, and when to see a pulmonologist. Guidance from Dr Manish Aggarwal, Shalimar Bagh.
Quick answer: Asthma, also called allergic bronchitis when it is driven by allergens, cannot be cured, but the right treatment keeps symptoms under control for most people. Effective asthma treatment in Delhi starts with a correct diagnosis, an inhaler plan matched to your triggers, and regular follow-up with a pulmonologist.
A cough that will not go away, chest tightness, and wheezing are common in Delhi, where dust, smoke, and seasonal changes keep setting off symptoms. This guide by Dr Manish Aggarwal explains how allergic asthma is diagnosed, how inhalers work, and when to book a consultation.
What Is Asthma (Allergic Bronchitis)?
Asthma is a long-term condition in which the airways swell, narrow and fill with mucus. In allergic asthma, this is set off by triggers such as dust, pollen, smoke or pet hair. The result is a cough lasting weeks, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Unlike a common cold, it does not go away on its own and tends to return with the same trigger or a change in weather.
Common triggers include:
Dust and dust mites
Pollen, especially during seasonal changes
Cigarette smoke, secondhand smoke and air pollution
Pet hair and dander
Sudden changes in temperature or humidity
Strong odours from perfumes, cleaning agents and chemical fumes
Identifying your triggers is the first step of any treatment plan.
How Is Asthma Diagnosed?
Symptoms of asthma and other lung conditions can look alike, so a proper evaluation matters. Dr Aggarwal begins with your symptoms, history and triggers, then confirms the diagnosis with tests:
Spirometry: measures how much air you can breathe out and how fast.
Pulmonary Function Test (PFT): gives a fuller picture of how well your lungs work.
FeNO test: a breath test that checks for airway inflammation.
6 Minute Walk Test: shows how your breathing holds up with activity.
A peak flow meter can also help you track control at home. Severity is then classified as mild intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, or severe persistent, and this guides your treatment.
What Does Asthma Treatment Involve?
No single treatment suits everyone. A plan is built around your triggers and severity and usually combines these elements:
Quick-relief medicines: bronchodilators such as albuterol act within minutes. Use them at the first sign of symptoms.
Controller medicines: usually inhaled corticosteroids taken daily to reduce airway swelling. They may take days to weeks to reach full benefit.
Combination inhalers: a corticosteroid with a long-acting bronchodilator in one device. Use them exactly as your doctor advises.
Allergy medicines: antihistamines or leukotriene tablets may be added when allergy is a strong driver. Montelukast has been linked to mood changes, so report any unusual changes promptly.
Biologics: injections or infusions for severe asthma that does not respond to usual medicines.
Short oral steroid courses: used for flare-ups.
A dust-related flare-up and a pollen-driven one may need different approaches, so your plan should be personal. If your asthma stays poorly controlled despite treatment, you should know about uncontrolled vs severe asthma.
Which Inhaler Is Right for You?
There are four inhaler types: metered dose inhalers, dry powder inhalers, breath-actuated inhalers and soft mist inhalers. A spacer helps with metered dose inhalers, and nebulizers suit some people. Medicine only works if it reaches your lungs, so the right device matters.
AAFA reports that 70 to 90% of people make at least one inhaler mistake, which can lead to uncontrolled asthma. Ask your doctor to watch your technique at the first visit and at follow-ups.
A written asthma action plan lists your triggers, when to take each medicine, and when to seek emergency care. Helpful habits include:
Avoid known triggers and do not smoke or vape.
Limit outdoor exertion on high-pollution days.
Use dustproof covers on pillows and mattresses, and wash bedding regularly.
Keep your surroundings clean and avoid strong perfumes and cleaning fumes.
Note how many quick-relief puffs you use each week.
Breathing exercises may help, but they never replace prescribed medicines.
When to See a Pulmonologist for Asthma Treatment in Delhi
Book a visit with a pulmonologist if you notice any of the following:
A cough, wheeze, chest tightness, or breathlessness that keeps returning, especially at night
A cough lasting several weeks
Quick-relief inhaler use more than two days a week
Oral steroids needed for flare-ups more than twice a year
Difficulty using your inhaler, or uncertainty about your action plan
Severe asthma that may need advanced options such as biologics
Early specialist care makes treatment simpler and safer, and helps protect long-term lung health.
Asthma Emergency: Act Immediately
Asthma treatment includes knowing emergency signs. Use your quick-relief inhaler, then call your local emergency number (112 in India) or go to the nearest hospital if you have any of these signs:
Severe wheezing or rapid breathing
Difficulty talking or swallowing
Chest pain or pressure
Bluish, whitish, or grayish lips, gums, or fingernails
A cough that will not stop
Book Your Consultation
If you want expert asthma treatment in Delhi, book a consultation with Dr Manish Aggarwal. Personalised asthma treatment can help you breathe easier, sleep better, and stay active. Do not wait for an emergency to start asthma treatment. Dr Aggarwal’s approach to asthma treatment in Delhi combines accurate testing, the right inhaler, and clear follow-up.
📞 +91 98995 54095
📍 BM 2, opposite Prabhu Dayal Public School, Shalimar Bagh, Delhi, 110034
Disclaimer: This article is for education only and does not replace medical advice. Please consult a doctor for diagnosis and treatment.
Frequently Asked Questions
No. It is a chronic condition, but it can be controlled very effectively. With the right treatment and trigger avoidance, most people go for long periods without symptoms.
There is no single best medicine. Doctors combine bronchodilators, anti-inflammatory medicines and sometimes antihistamines based on your symptoms and triggers.
Not always. Once asthma is controlled, your doctor may reduce your medicine, so regular reviews matter.
No. It is caused by your airways reacting to allergens, not by a virus or bacteria.
Yes. Pollution, dust and smoke are common triggers, so your plan should include high-pollution days.
Yes. Sudden shifts in temperature or humidity, such as at the start of winter, are common triggers.