What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways in the lungs. When asthma is active, the airways can become inflamed, swollen, narrowed, and sensitive to triggers. This can make it harder to breathe and may cause recurring symptoms.

According to the CDC, 8.6% of U.S. adults and 6.5% of children currently had asthma in 2024. Asthma is common, but it should never be ignored because uncontrolled symptoms can lead to flare-ups, urgent care visits, and a lower quality of life.

 

Common Asthma Symptoms

Asthma symptoms can vary from mild to severe. Some people only notice symptoms during allergy season, exercise, respiratory infections, or cold weather. Others experience symptoms more often.

Symptoms of Asthma May Include:

• Wheezing
• Shortness of breath
• Chest tightness
• Chronic cough
• Coughing at night
• Coughing after exercise
• Trouble taking a deep breath
• Frequent bronchitis-like episodes
• Breathing symptoms triggered by allergies, pets, dust, mold, or pollen

When Should You See an Asthma Specialist?

You should schedule an asthma evaluation if breathing symptoms are affecting your life, becoming more frequent, or not improving with your current medications.

See an Allergist for Asthma If You Have:

• Wheezing or chest tightness
• A persistent cough, especially at night
• Shortness of breath with exercise
• Frequent use of a rescue inhaler
• Symptoms around pets, pollen, dust, mold, or smoke
• Asthma symptoms during allergy season
• Repeated urgent care or emergency visits for breathing problems
• Trouble sleeping because of cough or breathing symptoms
• Uncertainty about whether symptoms are asthma, allergies, reflux, or sinus-related

An asthma specialist can help confirm the diagnosis, identify triggers, review medications, and create a long-term asthma control plan.

 

Asthma Testing and Diagnosis in NYC & New Rochelle

Asthma is diagnosed by looking at your symptoms, medical history, triggers, lung function, and response to treatment. Because asthma can overlap with allergies, sinus disease, reflux, and respiratory infections, a careful evaluation is important.

Your Asthma Evaluation May Include:

1. Detailed Medical History

Dr. Schnipper reviews your symptoms, timing, triggers, medication use, previous asthma attacks, allergy history, and family history.

2. Breathing and Lung Function Assessment

Lung function testing may help measure how well air moves in and out of your lungs and whether airway narrowing may be contributing to symptoms.

3. Allergy Testing

Because allergic triggers can worsen asthma, allergy testing may be recommended to evaluate sensitivity to pollen, dust mites, pet dander, mold, or other environmental allergens.

4. Medication Review

Dr. Schnipper can review your inhalers and other medications to see whether your current plan is controlling symptoms effectively.

5. Trigger Identification

A personalized trigger review may include indoor allergens, outdoor allergens, exercise, weather changes, viral infections, smoke, strong odors, workplace exposures, and seasonal changes.

 

Asthma Treatment in NYC & New Rochelle

Asthma treatment should be personalized. The goal is to reduce symptoms, prevent flare-ups, protect lung function, and help you stay active.

Your Asthma Treatment Plan May Include:

• Controller inhalers
• Rescue inhalers
• Anti-inflammatory asthma medications
• Allergy treatment when allergies trigger asthma
• Trigger avoidance strategies
• Inhaler technique coaching
• Asthma action plan
• Medication adjustments based on symptom control
• Follow-up monitoring
• Coordination with other physicians when needed

Current international asthma guidance emphasizes that asthma care should include symptom control, risk reduction, and appropriate anti-inflammatory treatment rather than relying only on short-acting rescue medication.

 

Allergy-Induced Asthma

Many patients have allergy-induced asthma, meaning asthma symptoms are triggered or worsened by allergens.

Common Allergy-Related Asthma Triggers Include:

• Pollen
• Dust mites
• Pet dander
• Mold
• Cockroach allergens
• Seasonal allergies
• Indoor air irritants

If your asthma gets worse in spring or fall, around animals, in dusty rooms, or in damp environments, allergy testing may help identify the cause. Treating the allergic component of asthma can be an important part of long-term control.

 

Asthma Triggers in New York City

Living and working in New York City can expose patients to asthma triggers that change by season and environment.

Common NYC Asthma Triggers Include:

• Seasonal pollen
• Dust in apartments and offices
• Mold in older buildings
• Pet dander
• Air pollution and traffic exposure
• Cold winter air
• Humidity
• Smoke and strong odors
• Viral respiratory infections
• Exercise outdoors during high-pollen days

Patients in Murray Hill, Midtown Manhattan, Grand Central, Kips Bay, Gramercy, New Rochelle, and Westchester may benefit from an asthma plan that reflects both personal triggers and local environmental exposures.

 

Asthma Control: What Good Control Should Feel Like

Asthma may be common, but frequent symptoms are not something you should simply accept.

Signs Your Asthma May Not Be Well Controlled:

• You use your rescue inhaler often
• You wake up coughing or short of breath
• You avoid exercise because of breathing symptoms
• You have frequent flare-ups
• Your asthma worsens during allergy season
• You miss work, school, or activities because of symptoms
• You are unsure how or when to use your inhalers

Good asthma control means fewer symptoms, fewer flare-ups, better sleep, better activity tolerance, and a clear plan for what to do when symptoms worsen.

 

Why Choose Steven Schnipper, MD for Asthma Care?

Choosing the right asthma specialist can make a major difference in symptom control and confidence.

Patients Choose Steven Schnipper MD, PC Because:

• Board-certified allergist
• Over 25 years of allergy and asthma experience
• Personalized, one-on-one care
• Asthma and allergy expertise in one practice
• Convenient Murray Hill, NYC office
• Convenient New Rochelle office
• Evaluation for allergy-triggered asthma
• Practical treatment plans tailored to daily life
• Experience with asthma, hay fever, sinus problems, hives, eczema, food allergies, drug allergies, and anaphylaxis

 

Asthma Specialist Near Murray Hill, NYC

The Manhattan office is located in Murray Hill, convenient for patients searching for:

• Asthma specialist NYC
• Asthma doctor NYC
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New York Office

345 E 37th St, Suite 314
New York, NY 10016
Phone: (212) 681-6200

 

Asthma Specialist in New Rochelle, NY

Dr. Schnipper also sees patients in New Rochelle, serving patients from Westchester and surrounding communities.

New Rochelle Office

175 Memorial Hwy, Suite 2-10
New Rochelle, NY 10801
Phone: (914) 633-3229

 

Schedule an Asthma Appointment

Asthma can often be controlled with the right diagnosis, treatment plan, and follow-up care. If coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath is affecting your life, Dr. Steven Schnipper can help you understand your triggers and create a personalized asthma management plan.

Call the office nearest you or book online today to schedule your asthma consultation.

 

Asthma FAQ

Can allergies make asthma worse?

Yes. Allergies are a common asthma trigger. Pollen, dust mites, mold, and pet dander can irritate the airways and make asthma symptoms worse.

How do I know if my cough is asthma?

Asthma-related cough often occurs at night, after exercise, during allergy season, or after exposure to cold air, dust, pets, or strong odors. An asthma evaluation can help confirm the cause.

Do I need allergy testing if I have asthma?

Many patients with asthma benefit from allergy testing, especially when symptoms worsen around pollen, pets, dust, mold, or seasonal changes.

Why do asthma symptoms get worse at night?

Nighttime asthma symptoms may be related to airway inflammation, allergens in the bedroom, sinus drainage, reflux, or poor asthma control.

Is wheezing always asthma?

No. Wheezing can be caused by asthma, respiratory infections, vocal cord problems, heart conditions, or other lung issues. A medical evaluation is important.

Can exercise trigger asthma?

Yes. Exercise-induced asthma symptoms can include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath during or after activity. Treatment can often help patients stay active safely.

How often should an asthma plan be reviewed?

Your asthma plan should be reviewed when symptoms change, rescue inhaler use increases, allergies worsen, medications change, or you have a flare-up.

Can asthma be cured?

Asthma is usually a chronic condition, but it can often be managed successfully with the right treatment plan, trigger control, and regular follow-up.

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