What is asthma?
Asthma is one of America’s most common and costly respiratory diseases, causing airways to become inflamed and swollen. The inflammation results in narrower airways to the lungs which can make breathing difficult.
Asthma symptoms include:
- Difficulty breathing
- Coughing
- Wheezing
- Tightness in chest
Asthma may be triggered by allergens or environmental irritants, such as pet dander or pollen. Because asthma symptoms and causes are similar to coughing with colds, bronchitis, or other acute illness, it can be difficult to determine whether your symptoms are asthma. If you experience asthma symptoms, schedule an appointment at Medico for diagnosis and treatment.
How is asthma treated?
The respiratory care team at Medico designs treatment plans to help manage your asthma and prevent asthma attacks. Preventing asthma attacks involves recognizing your asthma triggers and avoiding them.
Your doctor may also prescribe quick-relief medications such as an inhaler to use during asthma attacks, and long-term medications to help prevent attacks.
Do people outgrow respiratory diseases like asthma?
If you had mild asthma as a child and find you no longer have symptoms, it is possible you’ve outgrown asthma. It’s also possible the asthma symptoms will return later in life and require treatment again. Children with severe asthma rarely outgrow it.
What are allergies?
Allergies cause your immune system to overreact in response to a substance, such as food, insect stings or bites, mold, pet dander, latex, or pollen. Allergies cause mild or severe respiratory reactions including:
- Coughing
- Scratchy throat
- Sneezing
- Itchy eyes
- Runny or stuffy nose
Millions of Americans have allergic rhinitis, sometimes called hay fever, which causes nasal and eye symptoms. In addition to respiratory symptoms, allergies may also result in rashes or hives on your skin.
Allergic reactions require medical attention as severe reactions called anaphylaxis can cause low blood pressure, difficulty breathing, and sometimes lead to death.
How are allergies treated?
Allergies require treatment and prevention through avoidance of the allergic trigger, use of prescription and over-the-counter medication, and allergy testing and shots.
To find out if your respiratory disease or condition requires ongoing treatment, call or schedule an appointment with Medico online.
