Asthma is a chronic medical condition that affects the airways of the lungs. It can cause narrowing, swelling and extra mucus production. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 13 people in the United States have asthma. Asthma may be due to genetics and/or environmental factors. It affects people of all ages and can significantly impact your life and result in missed school or work. There are a variety of ways to get asthma under control. It is important to identify what triggers your asthma to avoid repeated breathing attacks.
Common asthma triggers include…
- Environmental allergens (i.e. mold, animal dander, pollen, dust)
- Infections
- Chemical irritants
- Cigarettes, tobacco, marijuana products, vapes
- Wood fires
- Charcoal grills
- Strong scents, fumes
- Physical activity
- Emotional stress
- Cold air
- Poor air quality
Allergy tests (skin or blood tests) can be performed to evaluate for environmental allergens. Breathing tests are noninvasive tests that evaluate how well your lungs work.
Asthma treatment options may include…
- Inhalers – daily controller, rescue
- Nebulized medications
- Oral medications
- Systemic steroids for acute flares
- Biologic injectables
- Allergen immunotherapy for individuals with allergic asthma (allergy shots, drops, or sublingual tablets)
Asthma treatment will differ for each person and may change over time depending on how controlled your breathing has been. The least amount of medication to control one’s asthma is preferred. Asthma should routinely be monitored with breathing tests and provider visits to ensure good control. If asthma goes uncontrolled, there can be long-term irreversible changes to the airways.
Take control of your asthma and improve your quality of life by booking an appointment with an Allergy & Asthma specialist at Advanced Specialty Care. We are home to Fairfield County’s first and longest-running oral immunotherapy program and specialize in customized, comprehensive treatment. Call us today or book your appointment online with one of our providers in Danbury, New Milford, Ridgefield or Norwalk.
— Dr. Cristina Vo
Dr. Cristina Vo is an Allergy & Asthma doctor at Advanced Specialty Care, treating adult & pediatric patients in our Danbury & Norwalk offices.
ADVANCED SPECIALTY CARE
The Allergy & Asthma specialists at Advanced Specialty Care, Drs. Yogen Dave, Neetu Godhwani, Purvi Shah, Cristina Vo, and APRN Michelle DiMauro, specialize in all of your family’s Allergy concerns–offering the region’s largest and longest-running Immunotherapy program. To schedule your appointment with an Allergy & Asthma Specialist at Advanced Specialty Care, with offices in Danbury, New Milford, Ridgefield & Norwalk, CT, call us or request your appointment today.
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