Asthma is a chronic and potentially life-threatening lung disease in which airways become inflamed and/or swollen, making it hard to breathe. An estimated 25 million Americans suffer from asthma. Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma, accounting for 60% of asthmatics. Allergic asthma is triggered by inhaling allergens such as dust mites, pet dander, pollens, mold, etc. Although asthma is not curable, it most often can be well-controlled.
Although there is no cure for asthma, there are three ways to help control your asthma symptoms: avoid triggers, medicine, and allergy shots. As allergists, we believe everyone who has asthma should feel good, be active all day, and sleep well at night.
Our board-certified allergists will ask for a comprehensive medical history, including a history of asthma attacks or other asthma symptoms. Let them know how often and what time of day these symptoms occur.
In addition to a physical exam, where our doctors will listen to your breathing, they can use several diagnostic tests including, Spirometry and Fractional Exhaled Nitric Oxide (FeNO) testing.
Once a patient is diagnosed with asthma, it is important to have an asthma management plan. Without an asthma management plan, it is more likely that a patient will have asthma symptoms, and potentially have an asthma attack. A plan may include instructions and one or more of the following:
These medications are taken daily to achieve and maintain control of persistent asthma. It is essential patients take these as prescribed even when they do not have symptoms.
Reliever inhalers are used to provide quick relief. when the patient experiences cough, wheezing, shortness of air, or chest tightness.
Schedule an appointment today with one of our board-certified allergists to see if you are suffering from asthma, and move towards a clearer tomorrow with an asthma plan in hand.