You have asthma. You manage it fairly well, but still, symptoms breakthrough more often than you'd like. At Allergy Care, PLLC, in Utica, asthma specialist, Dr. Ludwig Edward Khoury, and his team work with patients to control their asthma and live more active lives.
Why does someone get asthma?
The Asthma and Respiratory Foundation says one out of every seven children experiences asthma to one degree or other. Childhood asthma tends to be quirky and may be "outgrown," while adult asthma, which can start in any decade of life, impacts quality of life permanently.
Both exhibit similar symptoms: wheezing, shortness of breath, night-time coughing, and fatigue based on inflammation of the airway and lungs. Common asthma triggers (things which precipitate symptoms) are:
- Environmental pollution
- Allergens such as mold, pollen, and pet dander
- Insect vectors (bees, wasps)
- Perfumes, air fresheners, and scented laundry soaps
- Cold weather
- Laughing, crying
- Exercise
- Influenza and colds
Keeping control
Both pediatric and adult-onset asthma can threaten life itself as well as its day-to-day quality. Your asthma specialist in Utica will work with you to identify your triggers so you can avoid them, and limit your episodes of wheezing and shortness of breath.
In addition, Dr. Khoury likely will provide you with daily maintenance medication (an inhaled corticosteroid and bronchodilator) to reduce inflammation and a rescue inhaler (such as albuterol) to open the airway quickly. He may pursue allergy testing to pinpoint triggers and prescribe medication to suppress your body's reaction to those things which cause an asthma flare-up.
Your asthma action plan
This written log or online app records your symptoms, their severity and possible triggers. It outlines when you should use your rescue medication and when you should get help from Dr. Khoury, or in severe situations, from your hospital emergency room.
An asthma action plan also traces trends in what physicians call peak flow. A simple peak flow meter easily measures how much air you can blow out in one forceful exhalation. You can track your baseline peak flow and then compare it to your readings when you are symptomatic. Dr. Khoury guides patients in identifying normal readings and ones which indicate developing danger.
Staying fit and healthy
Exercise is key to good lung function. As an asthmatic, be sure to warm up before you exercise, work out indoors if the pollution or pollen index is high, and cover your face with a scarf or cowl if it's cold outside.
Also, a healthy diet supports healthy lung function. So does adequate hydration; so drink several glasses of water a day.
Finally, everyone--not just people with asthma--must stay current on their vaccinations, particularly influenza and pneumonia. These medications protect you during those dangerous cold and flu seasons.
Find an Asthma Specialist
Dr. Ludwig Edward Khoury and his team help scores of people navigate asthma management. He'll help you, too. Call one of his two offices for a personal consultation. In Watertown, NY, phone (315) 782-6200, and in Utica, NY, call (315) 624-7911.
