Asthma Treatment Q&A

Treatment starts with determining what is triggering the asthma attacks and what steps can be taken to avoid the triggers. There are treatments available to help get your asthma under control, depending on your unique situation. There are two forms of medications that can be taken in the treatment of asthma – long-term control medications and quick-relief inhalers. Long-term control medications are taken as a preventative measure, usually on a daily basis, to reduce the likelihood of having an asthma attack.

There are a variety of medications in this category, with options of an oral pill or an inhaler. Quick-relief inhalers are used during an active asthma attack to ease symptoms and allow you to regain your breath. There are a few different formulations available, and your doctor can help you determine which option will be best for you. You may need to try a few different types of medication, either long-term or quick relief, to find the one that works best for you. Asthma can change over time as well, so regular check-ups will be needed to ensure that the medication you are taking continues to be effective.

The respiratory system refers to our lungs, with diseases and illnesses of the respiratory system greatly impacting our ability to breathe properly which can be life-threatening in some cases.

The 5 common respiratory system diseases are:
 
● Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases that affect people of all ages with no exact known cause. Inflammation in the airways makes it difficult to breathe, in some cases as the result of exposure to an allergen that triggers an allergic reaction.
● Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, or COPD, is a chronic respiratory disorder caused by long-term exposure to substances that damage your lungs such as cigarette smoke or air pollutants.
● Lung cancer is most commonly associated with cigarette smoke, but can also be caused by air pollution, asbestos or radon exposure, and second-hand smoke.
● Pneumonia is often the result of a cold or the flu but can also be caused by certain bacteria in the lungs that cause a lung infection that can range from mild to severe.
● Influenza, which is also known as the seasonal flu, passes from one person to another through the air due to its highly contagious nature.

Each respiratory has its own set of symptoms, however, there will be similarities between many of them due to the fact that they all originate in the lungs. Knowing what symptoms to watch for can help your doctor determine what could be causing you to have the symptoms and determine what tests to send you for.
 
● Asthma can cause chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, and a dry cough.
● COPD comes in two different forms that have their own unique symptoms. Emphysema makes you feel short of breath, while chronic bronchitis causes excess mucus making it hard to breathe.
● Lung Cancer can cause you to cough up blood, make harsh breathing sounds, change your voice, and suffer from chronic coughing.
● Pneumonia causes difficulty breathing, phlegm or mucus brought up from coughing, feeling tired, having no appetite, and can cause fever or chills.
 
Talk to our team of healthcare professionals at Express Health Urgent Care today about treatment options for asthma treatment.  For more information, contact us or book an appointment online. We serve patients from Brooklyn NYC, Queens NY, East Harlem NYC, Manhattan NY, Coney Island NYC, Midwood NY, Nostrand NYC, Ridgewood NY, Metropolitan NYC, Staten Island, Greenwich Village NY, and surrounding areas.