Asthma: Causes, Symptoms, Treatments (podcast)
Scripps expert discusses asthma triggers and medications

Dr. Steven Zhao, Pulmonology, Scripps Clinic
Scripps expert discusses asthma triggers and medications
If you’ve been experiencing shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing, and tightness in the chest, you may have asthma.
The common condition (it affects about one in 12 people) causes the airways in the lungs to constrict and swell when exposed to certain environmental triggers, such as smoke, pollution, electronic cigarettes, animal dander, pollen and perfumes.
Though about 75 percent of cases are diagnosed during childhood, asthma can also develop in adults.
In this episode of San Diego Health, host Susan Taylor and guest, Steven Zhao, MD, a pulmonologist and critical care specialist at Scripps Clinic Torrey Pines and Scripps Clinic Anderson Medical Pavilion in La Jolla, discuss the types of asthma, their symptoms and treatment options.
Dr. Zhao also explains that while symptoms can overlap with those from a variety of other conditions, certain combinations can point towards an asthma diagnosis.
Listen to the episode on the causes and treatments for asthma
Listen to the episode on the causes and treatments for asthma
Podcast highlights
Watch the video on treatments for asthma
Watch the San Diego Health video with host Susan Taylor and Dr. Zhao discussing the symptoms and treatments for asthma.