Who to see for asthma? (2023)

FAQs

Should you see an allergist or pulmonologist for asthma? ›

Is your asthma triggered by environmental factors like pet dander, pollutants, mold or even certain plants or food? If so, an allergist may be right for you. If your asthma is caused by other factors like stress, exercise or is made worse by other respiratory illnesses, then a pulmonologist may be a better fit.

See your doctor: If you think you have asthma. If you have frequent coughing or wheezing that lasts more than a few days or any other signs or symptoms of asthma, see your doctor. Treating asthma early may prevent long-term lung damage and help keep the condition from getting worse over time.

A pulmonologist also treats asthma triggered by stress and exercise, not allergy-induced asthma. If your asthma symptoms do not seem to be triggered by environmental factors or food, you may be better off seeing a pulmonologist. The severity of asthma symptoms is another key indicator of what type of asthma you have.

You have a cough that won't go away. You're wheezing when you breathe in or out, especially if this is different from your usual breathing pattern. Your wheezing gets worse even after you have given your medicine time to start working (most quick-relief medicines work within 15 minutes)

Spirometry. This is the recommended test to confirm asthma. During this test, you breathe into a mouthpiece that's connected to a device, called a spirometer, or to a laptop. It measures the amount of air you're able to breathe in and out and its rate of flow.

As generalists who are trained to diagnose and treat a wide range of diseases, primary care physicians play an essential role in maintaining your overall health and well-being. This includes diagnosing and treating asthma to relieve your symptoms and avoid flare-ups.

While a chest X-ray may not be able to show whether you have asthma per se, it can confirm if another condition is responsible for the symptoms. Similarly, when you come into the ER after a severe asthma attack, doctors will also require you to have a chest X-ray done.

Use a stethoscope to listen to your breathing.

Wheezing — high-pitched whistling sounds when you breathe out — is one of the main signs of asthma. Examine your skin for signs of allergic conditions such as eczema and hives.

'Seasonal' asthma. Occupational asthma. Non-allergic asthma. 'Exercise-induced' asthma.

Allergist. An allergist is a pediatrician or internist who has taken additional training to qualify as a specialist in allergy and immunology. An allergist specializes in allergies, asthma, and allergic asthma.

What triggers asthma? ›

Sinus infections, allergies, pollen, breathing in some chemicals, and acid reflux can also trigger attacks. Physical exercise; some medicines; bad weather, such as thunderstorms or high humidity; breathing in cold, dry air; and some foods, food additives, and fragrances can also trigger an asthma attack.

However, when asthma is not treated or poorly controlled this can lead to problems, such as feeling tired, stress, anxiety or depression, lung infections and delays in growth or puberty in children. Poorly controlled asthma can also lead to severe asthma attacks which can be life threatening (4).

To diagnose asthma, your doctor will discuss your personal and medical history with you. They will also perform a physical exam. You may need a lung function test (also known as a pulmonary function test), which can be done easily in the clinic. You may need other tests, such as a blood tests or chest and sinus X-.

Fall and winter are generally the time when asthma flare ups happen most frequently. This is partially due to a rise in respiratory infections such as the common cold or flu, which spread more effectively in the large gatherings that happen during the holidays.

Subjects were put into one of three categories based on PASS: ≤ 7 (mild), 8-11 (moderate), and ≥ 12 (severe).

The most common lung function test is called spirometry. This lung function test uses a device called, a spirometer, to measure the amount and speed of the air you blow out. This helps your healthcare provider see how well your lungs are working.

During a physical exam for asthma or allergies, your doctor will look at your ears, nose, throat, eyes, skin, chest and lungs. They may: Listen to your lungs for wheezing or whistling that could mean inflammation. Look in your nose and throat for swelling and drainage that could be caused by allergies.

A blood test is a quick and simple test that can give useful information about your general health and the type of asthma you have. A blood test can help you and your specialist team know: If you have high levels of allergic antibodies in your blood. This suggests your severe asthma is triggered mainly by allergy.

A spirometry test generally costs less than $100. Not having the test can cost a lot more money. If the test shows that you do not have asthma, this can save you hundreds of dollars a month for asthma medicines.

Who can diagnose asthma in adults? ›

Your asthma doctor may diagnose adult-onset asthma by: Taking a medical history, asking about symptoms, and listening to you breathe. Performing a lung function test, using a device called a spirometer, to measure how much air you can exhale after first taking a deep breath and how fast you can empty your lungs.

Swelling (inflammation) and constriction of the airways — which prompts this type of nonproductive cough — characterizes asthma. An asthma cough is also often accompanied by wheezing. This is a high-pitched whistling sound caused by a constricted airway.

The main symptoms of asthma are: wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe) shortness of breath. a tight chest – which may feel like a band is tightening around it.

Bronchial asthma is just another name for asthma. Bronchial simply refers to the fact that asthma affects the bronchial airways, which consist of the bronchial tubes that branch off from your trachea (breathing tube) into the smaller bronchioles into the even smaller alveoli.

Silent asthma is a term used to describe what happens when someone is experiencing an asthma attack without any of the usual audible symptoms. Audible symptoms include wheezing, gasping, or coughing. With silent asthma, you may experience other symptoms, such as: Tightness in the chest.

One main difference is that asthma typically causes attacks of wheezing and tightness in your chest. COPD symptoms are usually more constant and can include a cough that brings up phlegm.

Symptoms of mild persistent asthma include: shortness of breath. whistling when you breathe (wheezing) coughing.

The most common asthma triggers include allergies, air pollution and other airborne irritants, other health conditions including respiratory infections, exercise or physical activity, weather and air temperature, strong emotions, and some medicines. Asthma triggers vary from person to person.

Both allergists/immunologists and pulmonologists treat asthma. A pulmonologist treats all lung disorders. An allergist treats allergic conditions.

Which is the most common cure for asthma? ›

There's currently no cure for asthma, but treatment can help control the symptoms so you're able to live a normal, active life. Inhalers, which are devices that let you breathe in medicine, are the main treatment. Tablets and other treatments may also be needed if your asthma is severe.

Long-term control medications such as inhaled corticosteroids are the most important medications used to keep asthma under control. These preventive medications treat the airway inflammation that leads to asthma symptoms. Used on a daily basis, these medications can reduce or eliminate asthma flare-ups.

Avoid sulfites.

Sulfites can trigger asthma symptoms in some people. Used as a preservative, sulfites can be found in wine, dried fruits, pickles, fresh and frozen shrimp, and some other foods.

But as a chronic lung condition, asthma doesn't completely go away once you develop it. Asthma is an inflammatory condition that narrows (constricts) your airways, which in turn creates permanent changes to your lungs.

Wait, an inhaler designed to help your asthma may make your symptoms worse? Yes, some folks may have worsening symptoms of tight airways. It's called “paradoxical bronchoconstriction.” If you feel more wheezing, tightness, or shortness of breath after using albuterol, stop using it and speak to your doctor.

The bottom line. If you're having an asthma attack and don't have your rescue inhaler on hand, there are several things that you can do, such as sitting upright, staying calm, and steadying your breathing. It's important to remember that asthma attacks can be very serious and require emergency medical attention.

Yes. In both the ADA and Section 504, a person with a disability is someone who has a physical or mental impairment that seriously limits one or more major life activities, or who is regarded as having such impairments. Asthma and allergies are usually considered disabilities under the ADA.

Can I go to the ER if I think I have asthma? ›

Asthma patients should go to the emergency department if they have severe asthma symptoms, especially if these symptoms are accompanied by severe sweating, faintness, nausea, panting, rapid pulse rate, and pale, cold, moist skin. (These may be signs of shock or a potentially life-threatening drop in blood pressure.)

not to smoke for 24 hours before the test (if you smoke, this can alter the results of some tests) to avoid eating for some hours before. to avoid drinking alcohol and caffeinated drinks (like coffee, tea, cola or energy drinks) for some hours before. not to take your medication for some hours before.

Does a hot shower help asthma? Steam from a hot shower or bath clears out extra mucus in your airways, so you can breathe better. Less irritation reduces the likelihood of night-time asthma attacks. Keep in mind that heat can also worsen asthma, but it depends on your personal triggers.

A cold environment can also worsen asthma symptoms. Cold air, which is often dry, causes the mucus that naturally coats your airways to quickly evaporate. This makes your airways irritated and narrow.

Increased humidity may ease breathing in children and adults who have asthma or allergies, especially during a respiratory infection such as a cold. But mist from a dirty humidifier or increased growth of allergens caused by high humidity can trigger or worsen asthma and allergy symptoms.

The allergist treats asthma and allergies

An allergist is a physician who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and other allergic diseases. The allergist is specially trained to identify allergy and asthma triggers. Allergists help people treat or prevent their allergy problems.

A pulmonologist treats all lung disorders. An allergist treats allergic conditions. Allergic conditions include food, drug, and environmental allergies. Hives, swelling, and immunodeficiency may occur.

At The Allergy and Asthma Medical Group our experienced allergists can help monitor your asthma symptoms, and keep the disease under control. We are able to perform pulmonary function testing in our office, and also are equipped to treat acute asthma attacks.

To diagnose asthma, your doctor will discuss your personal and medical history with you. They will also perform a physical exam. You may need a lung function test (also known as a pulmonary function test), which can be done easily in the clinic. You may need other tests, such as a blood tests or chest and sinus X-.

Since the underlying cause of sinus disease and related symptoms is frequently allergy, an allergist should always be seen first. If your allergist suspects structural problems in combination with allergic symptoms, she or he will gladly refer you to and work in cooperation with an ENT.

Why would you need to see a pulmonologist? ›

If you have a cough that lasts for a long time, or you have trouble breathing, your regular healthcare provider may suggest you see a pulmonologist. This specialist is an expert in diagnosing and treating lung-related health conditions. This is important especially when the condition may need long-term management.

The average price of Asthma Allergy Test ranges from ₹9000 to ₹12000.

A home spirometer allows you to measure your forced expiratory volume at 1 second (FEV1). If you have a lung disease, such as asthma, your doctor may test your peak expiratory flow (PEF) to measure the amount of air you can inhale and quickly exhale. This is tracked to see how well asthma is managed.

Inhalers, which are devices that let you breathe in medicine, are the main treatment. Tablets and other treatments may also be needed if your asthma is severe. You'll usually create a personal action plan with a doctor or asthma nurse.