Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition that affects an estimated 26 million Americans.

Overview

Asthma affects an estimated 26 million Americans. It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. If you frequently experience shortness of breath or wheezing (a whistling sound in your chest when you breathe), you may have asthma. Our asthma experts can determine if you have asthma through a series of simple tests.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of asthma can include:

  • chronic cough
  • chest tightness
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing

Testing

Common asthma tests include breathing tests to measure how well your lungs are working.  

  • Spirometry: you will take a deep breath and blow into a machine with a sensor to measure the amount of air your lungs can hold and the speed of the air you inhale or exhale.  
  • FeNO (exhaled nitric oxide test): this breathing test measures lung inflammation 
  • Many patients with asthma also have environmental allergies which can trigger your asthma symptoms.  Environmental allergy testing is recommended in most patients with asthma.

Treatment

Identify and Avoid

Identifying and avoiding the specific factors that bring on your symptoms (strong smells, smoke, illness, cold air, pet dander, etc.)

Medications

Including inhaled medications.

Allergen Immunotherapy

Allergen immunotherapy can help your immune system build resistance to environmental allergens. Allergy shots are a highly effective treatment approach providing long-term relief for many asthma and allergy patients.

Overview

Asthma affects an estimated 26 million Americans. It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. If you frequently experience shortness of breath or wheezing (a whistling sound in your chest when you breathe), you may have asthma. Our asthma experts can determine if you have asthma through a series of simple tests.

Symptoms

Common symptoms of asthma can include:

  • chronic cough
  • chest tightness
  • shortness of breath
  • wheezing

Testing

Common asthma tests include breathing tests to measure how well your lungs are working.  

  • Spirometry: you will take a deep breath and blow into a machine with a sensor to measure the amount of air your lungs can hold and the speed of the air you inhale or exhale.  
  • FeNO (exhaled nitric oxide test): this breathing test measures lung inflammation 
  • Many patients with asthma also have environmental allergies which can trigger your asthma symptoms.  Environmental allergy testing is recommended in most patients with asthma.

Overview

Asthma affects an estimated 26 million Americans. It is a chronic condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. If you frequently experience shortness of breath or wheezing (a whistling sound in your chest when you breathe), you may have asthma. Our asthma experts can determine if you have asthma through a series of simple tests.