Asthma
There are more than 20 million people in the United States with asthma. Onset of the disease is most common in childhood and young adults, but it can begin at any age.
The airways or bronchi are tubes that carry air in and out of your lungs. People who have asthma have inflammation of the bronchi, which causes these airways to swell and become very sensitive to a variety of triggers, including pollens, pets, exercise, cold air, respiratory infections, smoke, odors and many other possible causes. These triggers often provoke increased asthma symptoms or even asthma attacks.
The cause of asthma is unknown. It cannot be cured, but with proper management, asthma can be well controlled in almost everyone with this condition.
At the Atlantic Health System Pulmonary Center, we offer:
- Evaluations by physicians with expertise in asthma treatment
- Breathing tests (spirometry or pulmonary function test) to both confirm the diagnosis and determine the severity of asthma
- Allergy testing to identify potential asthma triggers
If a diagnosis of asthma has been confirmed, an asthma specialist can help determine the appropriate treatment plan for you. Treatment may include medications (most commonly inhaled steroids and bronchodilators), as well as strategies to avoid asthma triggers. Other medical conditions that have an impact on your asthma may also need to be assessed and treated. It is important to remember that asthma is a chronic disease, and although the symptoms may resolve, the inflammation and need for regular use of your medication persists. Additionally, asthma control fluctuates over time, so regular follow-up with your asthma specialist to assess your level of control and adjust your therapy is important.
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