Asthma Specialist

What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term pulmonary disease that involves wheezing and trouble breathing. While some people have asthma for their whole lives, others may have a few wheezing episodes from time to time, but do not require the same asthma treatment regimen forever.

Asthma is due to inflammation within your airways. Inside your lungs, the airways swell and get tighter. Additionally, they fill with mucus which further constricts them. When this happens, symptoms flare up in what’s called an asthma attack. 

Visiting an experienced pulmonologist like Dr. Hendel gives you a better grasp of your lung health during each stage of life, with or without asthma symptoms. He evaluates you by taking a comprehensive health history and physical exam before offering a pulmonary function test. 

What are some common asthma symptoms?

Some people with asthma experience mild symptoms at all times, while others only get symptoms during an asthma attack. If you have symptoms just every once in a while, they might come in response to a trigger such as an allergen or aerobic exercise. 

Wheezing is the most common asthma symptom, but it’s not the only one. Other possible symptoms include:

• Coughing 
• Chest tightness
• Fatigue
• Shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing
• Anxiety

Dr. Hendel considers your symptoms and their severity while planning treatment for your asthma. He also helps you discover your triggers if you have any. 

What are some common asthma triggers?

Asthma triggers cause symptom flare-ups in many individuals with asthma. In many cases, asthma triggers are allergens that your immune system reacts to in your environment. Certain behaviors, like exercise, can also trigger asthma symptoms.

Some of the most common asthma triggers are:

• Exercise
• Pollen
• Chemical irritants
• Intense emotions
• Extreme weather conditions
• Molds
• Animal dander
• Food allergens

Dr. Hendel gives you an allergy panel with over 30 different common allergens, as part of your diagnostic visit. Depending on the results of your allergy test, your treatment might involve lifestyle changes to control your environment and avoid triggers. 

How can I manage my asthma?

While treating asthma, Dr. Hendel follows the National Asthma Education and the Prevention Program (NAEPP) guidelines of the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI). 

Asthma treatment might involve quick-relief medications in an inhaler, long-term control medications, or both. Dr. Hendel also helps you identify triggers so you can avoid them to your best ability. 

Treatment doesn’t start and end with a single visit; in order to properly manage your asthma in the long term, you'll need to come in regularly for testing and updates to your care plan. 

To learn more about asthma and the treatments you need to manage it, call the office of Eli E. Hendel, MD, or schedule an appointment online today.