Asthma in Spanish: A Guide for Spanish Learners

Asthma is a common chronic respiratory condition that affects millions of patients worldwide. For healthcare professionals working with Spanish-speaking patients, knowing how to discuss asthma symptoms, triggers, and medications in Spanish is essential for safe and effective care.

Let’s break down the essential terms and phrases.

What Is Asthma in Spanish?

• El asma (pronounced ahs-mah) – asthma

Simple explanation:

• El asma es una condición en la que las vías respiratorias se inflaman y se estrechan.
  (Asthma is a condition in which the airways become inflamed and narrow.)

1. Los Síntomas (The Symptoms)

When describing symptoms in Spanish, we often use the verbs tener (to have) or sentir (to feel).

• Dificultad para respirar: Difficulty breathing
• Sibilancias: Wheezing.
• Silbido en el pecho: Whistling sound in the chest.
• La tos (persistente): (Persistent) Cough.
  • Grammar Tip: To say “to cough,” use the verb toser.
• La falta de aire: Shortness of breath
  • Clinical term: La disnea.
• Opresión en el pecho: Chest tightness.
• Respiración rápida: Rapid breathing.
• Los desencadenantes: Triggers (e.g., dust, pollen, smoke).
• Fatiga: Fatigue

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2. Medicamentos y Herramientas (Medications & Tools)

• El inhalador: The inhaler.
• Broncodilatador: Bronchodilator
• Corticosteroide: Corticosteroid
• El nebulizador: The nebulizer.
• Medicamento de rescate: Rescue medication (fast-acting).
• Medicamento de control: Controller medication (long-term).
• Tratamiento de mantenimiento: Maintenance treatment
• Dosis: Dose
• Receta médica: Prescription

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3. Key Phrases for Patient Interaction

Questions to describe the symptoms

English	Spanish
Do you have difficulty breathing?	¿Tiene dificultad para respirar?
Do you have chest tightness?	¿Siente/tiene opresión en el pecho?
Do you feel breathlessness when you walk?	¿Le falta el aire cuando camina?
Do you have wheezing at night?	¿Tiene sibilancias/silbidos por/en la noche?

Questions about the symptoms

English	Spanish
Since when have you experienced these symptoms?	¿Desde cuándo tiene estos síntomas?
How frequently do you use your inhaler?	¿Con que frecuencia usa su inhalador?
Are symptoms worse at night?	¿Los síntomas empeoran por la noche?
Have you had an asthma attack recently?	¿Ha tenido un ataque de asma recientemente?
What triggers your symptoms?	¿Qué cosas le provocan/desencadenan estos síntomas?
Are you allergic to anything?	¿Es alérgico/a a algo?

Phrases to give instructions

English	Spanish
I’m going to prescribe a rescue medication	Le voy a recetar un medicamento de rescate
Use this medication twice a day	Use este medicamento dos veces al día
Inhale deeply and hold your breath for 10 seconds	Inhale profundo y mantenga en aire por 10 segundos
Use your inhaler every 4 to 6 hours if necessary	Use el inhalador cada 4 a 6 horas si es necesario
If symptoms get worse, go to the ER	Si los síntomas empeoran, vaya a la sala de emergencias
This is the right dosage for you	Esta es la dosis adecuada para usted

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Explaining How to Use an Inhaler

Clear instructions are key for patient safety.

• Agite el inhalador antes de usarlo.
  Shake the inhaler before using it.
• Inhale profundamente mientras presiona el inhalador.
  Take a deep breath while pressing the inhaler.
• Mantenga la respiración por unos segundos.
  Hold your breath for a few seconds.

⚠️ Language Learner Pro-Tip: “Respirar” vs. “Respiración”

• Respirar (Verb): To breathe.
  • Example: “Necesito respirar aire puro.” (I need to breathe fresh air.)
• La respiración (Noun): The breath / The act of breathing.
  • Example: “Su respiración es muy rápida.” (You have rapid breathing.)