Asthma

Asthma attacks can be frightening because they make it hard to breathe. If you need help managing asthma, visit Midwest Respiratory, Ltd. in Joliet or New Lenox, Illinois. The board-certified pulmonologists specialize in diagnosing and treating breathing disorders like asthma so you can enjoy a more rewarding life with fewer asthma attacks. Call your nearest Midwest Respiratory, Ltd. office to arrange an asthma evaluation, or use the online booking feature to schedule a consultation today.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a common breathing disorder caused by airway inflammation and swelling. Breathing difficulties peak during an asthma attack, where your chest tightens, and you struggle to draw breath. You may also wheeze and cough. Asthma attacks typically have a trigger, such as:

• Stress and anxiety
• Emotional distress
• Smoke and fumes
• Exercising
• Strong odors
• Weather changes
• Medications
• Certain foods

Around 50% of people with asthma have allergic asthma, where their triggers are allergens like dust mites, pollen, mold, or pet dander.

Conditions like upper respiratory tract infections and acid reflux increase your risk of asthma attacks.

How is asthma diagnosed?

Your symptoms are a good indicator that you have asthma. Midwest Respiratory, Ltd. confirms the diagnosis and evaluates your condition using various tests, such as:

Spirometry

Spirometry is a routine lung function test that determines how much air you inhale and exhale and how quickly you can breathe out.

Peak flow

A peak flow meter measures your outbreath’s force.

Nitric oxide test

This test determines the nitric oxide gas levels in your lungs. High levels in your exhaled breath indicate you have inflamed airways — a typical asthma symptom.

Methacholine challenge

Methacholine is an asthma trigger that narrows your airways. You likely have asthma if you react after inhaling methacholine.

Other assessments you might need include treadmill testing to diagnose exercise-induced asthma.

How is asthma treated?

Asthma treatment varies depending on your condition’s cause and how severely it affects you. Options Midwest Respiratory, Ltd. offers include:

Medications

Medications that ease asthma symptoms include inhaled corticosteroids, bronchodilators, theophylline, and leukotriene modifiers. These drugs help to control airway inflammation and keep airways open for improved breathing.

Carrying an asthma inhaler is vital when you have this condition. The inhaler delivers a blast of medicated mist into your airways that you can use when you feel an asthma attack coming on.

Biologics

Biologics are injectable medications given to patients who have moderate to severe asthma.  They typically target specific components of an asthma patient’s inflammatory system. For example, omalizumab binds with a specific antibody, preventing it from causing an inflammatory response and the resulting asthma attack. 

Bronchial thermoplasty (BT)

BT is an innovative outpatient procedure for severe asthma. It uses heat from radiofrequency energy to widen your airways.

Call Midwest Respiratory, Ltd. or book an appointment online today for expert asthma diagnosis and treatment.