Asthma Diagnosis & Treatment
Find Asthma Relief at Galen
Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways, making it difficult to breathe. It is estimated that 25 million Americans have asthma, and it is one of the leading causes of work and school absenteeism. Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts during childhood. It has no known cure, but by identifying triggers and developing a proper asthma management plan, patients can lead a healthy, active life.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a lung disease that makes it difficult to breathe properly and often causes wheezing or coughing. This chronic lung issue requires proper medical management for symptom relief. Asthma is the most common chronic illness among children. If left untreated or under-treated, asthma can result in a significant reduction in quality of life, with potential loss of lung function, exercise limitation, difficulty sleeping, school or work absenteeism, costly emergency room visits, and, in some cases, even death.
If you or a loved one are suffering from asthma, getting diagnosed and treated by an experienced asthma doctor can help you reclaim your quality of life. At the Allergy & Asthma Group of Galen, our asthma specialists deliver comprehensive diagnosis and care at our five convenient locations in Southeast Tennessee and North Georgia, including Cleveland, Chattanooga, Dalton, Fort Oglethorpe, and Hixson.
What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?
Asthma symptoms can occur daily, weekly, or infrequently and can range from mild to severe. Many of these symptoms can be frightening to patients and their families and often interfere with activities and life events. It is extremely important to seek medical attention for this illness. People with asthma experience an extensive narrowing of the airways, resulting in symptoms that often include:
- Shortness of breath
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Tightening of the chest
What Triggers Asthma?
A high percentage of asthma patients suffer from allergies. Up to 80% of childhood asthma patients and 70% of adult asthmatics have some allergies. Controlling allergies is the first step to controlling asthma. Some of the common triggers for an asthma attack include:
- Air Quality: Poor air quality outside or inside of your home can cause asthma to occur.
- Dust Mites: These are microscopic and live in beds, carpets, rugs, couches, and stuffed animals. They are a major allergen.
- Mold: This type of fungus usually grows in a wet environment and can cause severe allergic reactions and respiratory issues.
- Pests: Common pests such as roaches, mice, and rats cause allergic reactions and asthma symptoms to occur.
- Pets: Household pets like dogs and cats are often triggers for allergies and asthma.
- Plants: Certain plants, such as trees, grass, and weeds, cause allergies in many people.
How is Asthma Diagnosed?
To diagnose asthma, your doctor may ask about your medical history (including any allergies), examine your nose, throat, and upper airways, and listen to your breathing. At the Allergy & Asthma Group of Galen, our board-certified asthma specialists will evaluate asthma after conducting:
- A physical exam
- An extensive patient interview
- Lung function testing
How is Asthma Treated?
The first step to treating asthma is identifying the underlying allergy triggers that cause it. The Allergy & Asthma Group of Galen specializes in the treatment of allergies of all kinds and can help develop a treatment plan to manage your allergy and asthma symptoms. Medications and certain therapies can be used to treat asthma, including:
- Avoidance measures for relevant triggers
- Allergy control medications
- Allergy shots
- Asthma-specific medications, including oral and inhaled forms
Asthma may improve or worsen with changes in seasons and exposure to asthma triggers. Therefore, it is important to have regular check-ups to evaluate and monitor your asthma, as medication changes are necessary from time to time.
Take Your First Step Toward Asthma Relief
If you or a loved one are experiencing wheezing or a chronic cough that you believe may be caused by asthma, consult a board-certified allergy and asthma specialist as soon as possible. At the Allergy & Asthma Group of Galen, our asthma experts will perform an evaluation to form a treatment plan tailored to your needs. Start your journey to finding asthma relief by scheduling an appointment with us today!