Asthma is a common disease
Asthma can be treated and managed. However, if you delay taking action, asthma can be very serious — and even deadly. If you’re struggling with persistent shortness of breath, it’s important that you have an evaluation of your lung health as soon as possible. NY Family Docs offers complete diagnosis and treatment plans to address asthma. Schedule testing at any of our ten neighborhood offices online or by phone. NY Family Docs also accepts same-day appointments for urgent-care asthma treatments.
If you are experiencing an emergency and can’t breathe, please call 911.
Asthma Q & A
What is asthma?
Asthma causes inflammation of the airways that carry oxygen in and out of your lungs. When your airways are inflamed, you can’t get enough air and breathing becomes difficult. You can also develop other symptoms like:
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness
- Continuous coughing
For some, the inflammation can trigger an asthma attack that requires immediate treatment. Without proper care, a severe asthma attack can send you to the hospital or even result in death.
What causes asthma?
If you have allergies, you might be more likely to develop asthma.
Airway inflammation can be triggered by exposure to irritants like pollen, pet dander, or other factors such as:
Cold Air
Chemicals
Physical Activity
Certain Medications
Smokers and people who are overweight have additional risk factors for developing asthma.
How is asthma diagnosed?
At each NY Family Docs office, staff members offer on-site asthma testing to evaluate the health of your lungs and how well you can breathe. After a review of your medical history and symptoms, your doctor will likely suggest a diagnostic test called “spirometry.”
Spirometry measures how much air you can inhale and exhale in a certain period of time. These measurements help determine if your shortness of breath and other symptoms are due to asthma or another condition. If further evaluation is needed, a Pulmonary Function Test may be ordered which will provide additional information on your lung health.
You may also be referred to a specialist who can provide allergy testing to discover what is triggering your difficulty breathing. By addressing existing allergies, your doctor can help you manage your asthma and prevent breathing difficulties and serious asthma attacks.
What treatments are available for asthma?
We will create a care plan for proper management of asthma. You might also benefit from working with a health coach in the office to help you avoid your asthma triggers.
Many with long-term asthma take medicine through an inhaler during an attack. The medicine reduces airway inflammation quickly. You might also take other types of medicine to prevent asthma attacks.
Your NY Family Docs provider works closely with you to manage both your asthma and allergies over the long-term to protect the health of your lungs and reduce your risk of other problems.
Schedule an asthma evaluation today by calling the office nearest you or booking online. If you need immediate care of asthma-related symptoms, you can also visit NY Family Docs as a walk-in.