(607NewsNow) — An estimated 26 million (or 1 in 12) Americans suffer from asthma, a chronic condition in which the bronchial tubes that allow air to enter and exit the lungs become inflamed and narrow, resulting in symptoms of coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing. There’s no clear cause of asthma, you can develop it at any time (even well into adulthood), and there’s no cure. Fortunately, allergists are trained in the diagnosis, treatment, and management of asthma, and can help you to manage this condition and enjoy a full and active life.
There are two primary types of asthma: allergic and non-allergic. With allergic asthma, symptoms are triggered by exposure to allergens, such as pollens, molds, dust mites, or pet dander. Non-allergic asthma is brought on by factors such as stress, exercise, illness, extreme weather, irritants in the air and certain medications. After taking a detailed medical history, your allergist will then determine whether your asthma is triggered by allergies via blood and skin testing and administer tests to measure your lung capacity and function.
If allergies are a factor, your allergist will recommend avoidance of specific allergens, as well as immunotherapy, which is a preventive treatment that helps your body become less sensitive to specific allergens. If allergies are ruled out, your detailed history of symptoms and their timing will be key to helping them to determine a program of avoidance for your specific physical and environmental triggers.
One of the most effective medications for controlling both types of asthma is inhaled corticosteroids, which are anti-inflammatory medications. Taken early and as directed, these safe, well-tolerated medications can improve asthma control and normalize lung function. In addition to your daily inhaler, you will also be prescribed a rescue inhaler, which is contains a quick-relief bronchodilator that should be taken at the first sign of an asthma flare-up.
However, traditional asthma treatments may not lead to complete control of symptoms if your asthma is severe. Biologic therapies are considered the forefront of treatment because they have the potential to be personalized, to be formulated to treat specific cells and/or antibodies which lead to allergic inflammation, the inflammation that makes it so hard for some people to breathe. Biologic drugs have been shown to decrease the rate of asthma flare-ups and improve your quality of life.
Asthma is a serious condition, but it doesn’t have to impact your lifestyle. See one of the board-certified allergists at Asthma & Allergy Associates who can help you manage it and breathe easier.
