Same-day evaluation for mild to moderate asthma exacerbations. Rescue inhaler prescriptions, step-up therapy, and personalized action plans — from home.

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What Is Asthma?

Asthma is a long-term lung condition where the airways become inflamed and narrowed. This makes it harder to breathe. It affects about 25 million Americans — roughly 1 in 13 people — and leads to nearly 2 million ER visits each year, according to the CDC.

In asthma, ongoing airway inflammation causes:

• Excess mucus production
• Thickening of airway muscles
• Increased sensitivity to triggers like allergens, cold air, respiratory viruses, exercise, smoke, and air pollution

National guidelines (NAEPP EPR-3) classify asthma by severity and how well it is controlled. This guides the step-by-step treatment approach.

Asthma flare-ups — episodes where breathing suddenly gets worse — range from mild to severe:

• Mild: Slight increase in symptoms with small changes in peak flow readings
• Moderate: Noticeable shortness of breath, reduced activity, and peak flow at 40–69% of your best
• Severe: A medical emergency with major breathing difficulty and possible low oxygen levels

Telehealth works well for mild-to-moderate flare-ups. You should be a known asthma patient, able to speak in full sentences, and not showing signs of low oxygen. Severe flare-ups need immediate emergency care.

At Innocre Telehealth, our board-certified provider evaluates asthma patients in Delaware, Maryland, and Washington. During your visit, your provider will review:

• What triggered your flare-up
• Your current medications and how often you use your rescue inhaler
• How severe your symptoms are, plus home peak flow readings if available

Based on this, your provider may adjust your therapy, prescribe rescue medications, start a short course of oral steroids, or update your asthma action plan. Patients with poorly controlled or severe asthma are referred to a lung or allergy specialist for further testing and possible advanced treatments.

Common Symptoms

How Innocre Treats Asthma Online

For mild-to-moderate flare-ups, the first step is a quick-relief rescue inhaler. Albuterol (ProAir, Ventolin) — 2 puffs every 4 to 6 hours using a spacer — is the standard rescue treatment. Your provider can prescribe albuterol inhalers and spacers for patients in Delaware, Maryland, and Washington. Levalbuterol (Xopenex) is an option if albuterol causes a fast heartbeat or other side effects.

For moderate flare-ups, a short course of oral steroids (prednisone, 40–60 mg/day for 5 days) can shorten the episode and lower the risk of it coming back. Your provider prescribes these when needed.

Optimizing daily controller therapy is a key focus at Innocre Telehealth. Depending on your current step, your provider may recommend:

• Low-dose inhaled steroids (fluticasone/Flovent, budesonide/Pulmicort) for patients with frequent symptoms
• Combination inhalers (Advair, Symbicort, Breo Ellipta) that pair a steroid with a long-acting bronchodilator for better control

Your provider also checks your inhaler technique — a commonly overlooked issue — and reminds you to rinse your mouth after using steroid inhalers to prevent oral yeast infections.

A written asthma action plan helps you manage your asthma day to day. Your provider creates or updates this plan during your visit. It uses a simple color-coded system:

• Green zone: Asthma is well-controlled — continue daily medications
• Yellow zone: Symptoms are worsening — take specific steps to get back on track
• Red zone: This is an emergency — follow your emergency plan and seek care immediately

If you use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, need oral steroids more than twice a year, or wake up with symptoms more than twice a month, your asthma may need stronger treatment. Your provider may refer you to a lung or allergy specialist for breathing tests and advanced options.