Asthma

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung disease. The exact cause is unknown but it can be attributed to environmental factors or genetics. The most common symptoms of asthma include shortness of breath, chest tightness, cough and wheezing. Asthma presents as intermittent flare-ups that can cause death if not treated. During flare-ups of asthma attacks, the airways are constricted due to inflammation, swelling and muscle lining constriction associated with mucous secretion. The classic resulting sound is a wheeze made on exhalation.

Asthma can present in varying degrees of severity ranging from mild to severe persistent asthma. The age of onset is variable, often presenting in childhood but it can also present in the adult years.

Asthma is exacerbated by triggers such as respiratory infections, smoking, air pollutants and allergens such as dust, animal dander and mold. According to the CDC, in 2016 it was reported that there are about 20.4 million Americans living with Asthma and of that number 3,274 resulted in death. There is a higher occurrence in women versus men.

While Asthma is a life-threatening condition, our office is able to help you manage it appropriately so you can live an active and healthy lifestyle. Diagnosis is made via the combination of a physical exam, assessment of your symptoms, spirometry testing (lung function test), provocation testing using cholinergic agonists, breathing patterns, allergy testing, and your individual and family medical history.

Upon assessment and diagnosis of Asthma, we will develop a treatment plan which includes regular visits with your health care provider, education about the disease and self-management skills. Medicinal therapy would include inhalers specific to your type of asthma ranging from quick relief inhalers to long-term asthma maintenance medications and vaccine recommendations. The main goal in managing people with asthma is to acknowledge your individual triggers and avoid them thereby preventing asthma exacerbations. When asthma is managed successfully, there are fewer flare-ups, hospital admissions and a reduced number of loss days in school or the workplace.

For treatment of asthma, contact Brian Shaffer, MD – family physician in Lawrenceville, NJ