Severe Asthma: Causes, Triggers, and Treatment Options

When someone has severe asthma, a chronic lung condition where airways are inflamed and narrowed to the point of causing frequent, disabling attacks. It's not just bad allergies or occasional shortness of breath—it’s when standard inhalers don’t help enough, and everyday activities like walking or climbing stairs become hard. People with severe asthma often end up in the ER, need oral steroids often, or rely on biologic injections just to stay stable.

This isn’t one-size-fits-all. For some, it’s triggered by allergens, like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander—which is why allergen immunotherapy, a treatment that trains your immune system to stop overreacting can be a game-changer. For others, it’s stress, cold air, or even certain medications like NSAIDs that spark attacks. The key is knowing your personal triggers and having a plan that goes beyond rescue inhalers.

Many think severe asthma means you’re stuck with it forever, but that’s not true. New treatments like biologics target specific parts of the immune system causing the inflammation. These aren’t pills you swallow—they’re shots or infusions given every few weeks, and for many, they cut flare-ups by half or more. But even with these advances, managing severe asthma still comes down to basics: tracking symptoms, avoiding known triggers, and working with your doctor to adjust treatment before things spiral.

You’ll find posts here that break down how allergy shots compare to SLIT tablets for long-term relief, how steroids and NSAIDs can make asthma worse instead of better, and what to do when your current meds stop working. There’s no magic fix, but with the right info, you can take control—whether you’re a patient, a caregiver, or just trying to understand what severe asthma really means.