Asthma
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Pulmonology Group LLC
Pulmonology, Critical Care & Sleep Medicine Specialists located in Henderson, NV, Bullhead City, AZ & Kingman, AZ
Although asthma is often considered to be a childhood condition, adults can have their first asthma attack at any age. At Pulmonology Group LLC Lung Specialist, Vikas Sayal, MD, FCCP, has years of experience helping asthma patients manage their symptoms and prevent or minimize future asthma attacks. Dr. Sayal offers convenient on-site pulmonary testing and customized treatment based on each person’s asthma symptoms. To get help for your asthma, call the office in Henderson, Nevada, or Kingman, Arizona. You can also book an appointment online.
Asthma Q & A
What causes asthma?
When the airways in your lungs are inflamed, they become sensitive to airborne substances. As a result, breathing in one of these substances triggers asthma.
During an asthma attack, three things happen in your lungs that narrow your airways and make it hard to breathe:
- Airways become swollen
- Muscles lining the airway tighten
- Excess mucus is produced
After asthma develops, your airways stay chronically inflamed, making you susceptible to ongoing asthma attacks.
What symptoms will I develop due to asthma?
The most common symptoms of asthma include:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Tightness in your chest
- Frequent cough
Although your symptoms may appear at any time, they’re always triggered by activity, emotions, or something in your environment.
What triggers asthma?
Asthma triggers are different for each patient, but some of the common triggers include:
- Airborne allergens
- Cold air
- Tobacco smoke
- Air pollution
- Physical activity
- Strong odors and chemical fumes
- Stress and strong emotions
- Upper respiratory infections
At least 30% of all cases of adult-onset asthma are triggered by allergies to airborne substances such as pollen, dust mites, and mold.
About 90% of all patients with asthma experience exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, which is when physical activity triggers asthma symptoms. However, most patients can stay active with proper treatment.
How is asthma treated?
After reviewing your medical history, Dr. Sayal may evaluate your lungs with in-house pulmonary function testing. If allergies are suspected, he may also perform allergy testing to identify the allergens that trigger your asthma.
Depending on the severity of your symptoms, Dr. Sayal may recommend immunotherapy (allergy shots). Reducing your reaction to allergens also improves asthma symptoms and helps prevent future asthma flare-ups.
Dr. Sayal prescribes two types of medication that are important for people with asthma:
Quick-relief medication
A quick-relief medication is inhaled to open your airways when you have an asthma attack. Your medication is delivered using a nebulizer that converts the medication into a fine mist that can quickly get into your airways. You may also use a metered-dose inhaler for your quick-relief medication.
Long-term asthma control medications
Dr. Sayal may also prescribe daily medication to help prevent future asthma attacks. A variety of long-term medications are available, so he chooses the one that’s best for you.
Subcutaneous injections
For cases of asthma that don’t respond to inhaled medications, Dr. Sayal may administer one of the new medications that are injected under your skin and improve asthma control.
If you develop wheezing or difficulty breathing, call Pulmonology Group LLC Lung Specialist or book an appointment online. It’s important to get the medications you need, so that quick relief is on hand to treat future asthma attacks.
