Bluegrass Family Allergy
Asthma
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic disease characterized by the inflammation of the airways, or bronchial tubes, in the lungs. When your symptoms are triggered, the muscles around the airways tighten and the airways can become even more swollen or twitchy and spastic. Asthma can be closely related to physical activity (exercise-induced asthma) or it can develop by inhaling fumes, gases, or dust while on the job (occupational asthma). Another type of asthma that affects millions of families is childhood asthma, which often develops before the age of five and sometimes wanes as the child gets older. By and large, asthma in Western Kentucky is often allergic, especially if there are allergies in the family or if there are concurrent sinus, nasal, or eye symptoms.
Symptoms of Asthma
- Wheezing
- Chest tightness or pain
- Chronic coughing
- Coughing until vomiting
- Trouble sleeping due to coughing or wheezing
- Scratchy, whistling sound when breathing
- Recurrent bronchitis requiring steroids or breathing treatments
Children with asthma may exhibit only one symptom, so it’s important to pay close attention for signs of asthmatic trouble. These signs include coughing triggered by cold air, fatigue when playing, problems feeding or grunting during feeding (infants), and avoiding sports or social activities. If your child has one or more of these symptoms, please call Dr. Brauer today.
Treatment for Asthma
Although there is no cure yet for asthma, you can find relief from asthmatic symptoms and attacks today. Dr. Brauer is specially trained to identify the factors that trigger asthma and create a unique treatment plan to help the patient live a normal, active life. For certain patients who suffer from asthma triggered by allergens, immunotherapy can offer relief from asthmatic symptoms. For asthma caused by other factors, Dr. Brauer can prescribe asthma medications to maintain control of symptoms.
Dr. Brauer gives special attention to educating her patients on asthma attack prevention strategies. Cold weather, exposure to allergens, and respiratory infections can often trigger asthma attacks, and it is critical to avoid these situations when possible.
When many of us were younger, we probably noticed how asthmatic children were smaller, more fragile, often sick, and rarely athletically proficient. Our arsenal of asthma protocols and treatment options can offer less illness, fewer missed school and work days, and even on occasion, a career in professional athletics despite severe asthma.
Note from Dr. Brauer
We are proud to stock a wide variety of samples of asthma inhalers, spacers, and nebulizers from local pharmacies in our office. Also, Dr. Brauer will be happy to file with your insurance.
And please be sure to get your flu shots and pneumonia vaccinations if you’re an asthmatic!