Asthma can be a complex issue that requires the help of a medical doctor. If you have not been to see an allergist, like an allergist in Tysons Corner, VA from Black & Kletz Allergy, it might be the best thing you can do for your condition. Not sure you have asthma? Not sure what to do about it? The following are the very basics about asthma so you have a little bit of information to move forward.
What Is Asthma?
Asthma is a serious condition often classified as a chronic respiratory disease. It presents as inflammation in the airway, making it difficult for the sufferer to breath, speak or do anything active. Someone with asthma might feel chest tightness, shortness of breath, and will possibly experience wheezing and coughing. Someone with mild asthma may experience these symptoms at a very mild level, not requiring treatment. Someone with severe asthma may experience ongoing symptoms all day and night, requiring emergency room visits and heavy medication.
What Are the Types of Asthma?
There are several types of asthma, though just a few will be discussed here. Some common types include:
- Asthma in children – Asthma is an issue that is most common in individuals under 40 years of age, including children. Each child will experience different symptoms and their episodes will look different from one another. One child might not have much energy during play, while another might complain of chest pain.
- Adult-onset – Studies show there are over 20 million adults in America with asthma. Severity ranges from patient to patient, and those with a family history of allergic diseases are more inclined to be affected.
- Allergic – There are some things such as dust and pollen that can trigger an asthma attack in someone who doesn’t normally have trouble breathing.
- Exercise-induced – Some individuals, both with and without an official asthma diagnosis, can suffer from exercise-induced asthma. It begins after someone starts exercising, and could last for up to 20 minutes after stopping.
Other types include occupational, nonallergic, eosinophilic, cough-variant and aspirin-induced. Your allergist can diagnose the type of asthma you are suffering from so you can receive proper treatment.
How Is Asthma Treated?
Depending on the type of asthma you suffer from and the severity of it, your allergist may recommend one or more of a variety of treatments. You might carry an inhaled corticosteroid to lessen an attack, you might take a leukotriene modifier each day or you could have a combination inhaler. There are other medications and procedures that can help as well, and your allergist can determine this based on diagnosis.
Get Started Today
You deserve to be in the best of health and to have ways to control your allergic disease. To learn more about asthma and how it can be treated, contact an allergist today.