If you have experienced a prolonged series of asthma attacks or have been hospitalized for one, see asthma specialist, Dr. Ludwig Khoury at Allergy Care in Utica and Watertown, NY. Asthma can be life-threatening, and as such, it needs consistent and accurate symptom management. Read the important details about this serious respiratory condition.
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic and potentially deadly lung disease. Due to inflamed air passages in the lungs, asthma causes mild to severe breathing problems in about 24 million Americans. Almost 25 percent of these sufferers are children, says HealthConnect.
Symptoms of an acute asthma attack include:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Coughing, especially at night
- Increased mucous production
- Fatigue and inability to accomplish tasks of daily living easily
- Pallor
- Sneezing
- Frequent colds with symptoms which do not resolve easily
Symptoms may increase, or flare-up, with stress, exposure to allergens (mold, pollen, pet dander), exercise, cold weather, or an episode of the flu or upper respiratory infection. Tobacco smoke and indoor and outdoor pollution often provoke an acute asthma attack.
When you should see an asthma specialist
It's imperative to get asthma symptoms under control. Repeated acute flare-ups that require medical attention, with or without hospitalization, signal the need for asthma control medications.
Additionally, if you cannot sleep or find yourself missing work or school, you need the help of an expert to manage your asthma. As an asthma specialist in the Utica, NY, area, Dr. Khourey and his team urge highly symptomatic individuals to come in for an examination, including allergy testing if indicated.
Asthma care plans typically include:
- Use of rescue inhalers (bronchodilators) for sudden symptoms
- Use of daily maintenance medications to reduce inflammation and prevent acute attacks
- Measurement of peak flow, the volume of air expelled in one prolonged exhalation
- Getting an annual flu shot
- Exercising to tolerance as physical activity promotes good lung function
- Keeping a clean home with frequent vacuuming and dusting and a HEPA filter installed in your HVAC system
It's your asthma
You can control it, and at Allergy Care, Dr. Ludwig Khourey and his caring staff are ready to help you. For an informative consultation, call your asthma specialist in Utica, NY, at (315) 624-7911, or for the Watertown office, phone (315) 782-6200.
