Asthma Care
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition that affects the airways, causing them to become inflamed, narrow, and more sensitive to certain triggers. Wheezing, coughing, feeling of tightness in the chest, and difficulty breathing are common symptoms. Failure to manage the condition appropriately can cause the symptoms to affect your day-to-day activities. At Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates, we identify triggers and develop treatment plans focused on long-term symptom management.
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Symptoms of Asthma
Asthma symptoms differ from one patient to another depending on the triggers. The following could be some of the symptoms where you would need to seek a consultation:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Persistent coughing
- Chest tightness
- Nighttime coughing
- Trouble exercising
- Fatigue tied to breathing problems
- Frequent lung infections
- Symptoms that get worse during allergy season
- Flare-ups brought on by illness or irritants
Common Asthma Triggers
Allergens
Allergens are one of the most common triggers for asthma symptoms, especially for people with allergic asthma. These include:
- Dust mites
- Pollen
- Mold
- Pet dander
Respiratory Infections
Lung and airway infections may lead to swelling and exacerbation of the symptoms, causing them to last for weeks. Triggers include:
- Viral illnesses
- Common colds
- Influenza
Environmental Irritants
Environmental factors that irritate your air passages and cause symptoms even though they are not allergens include:
- Tobacco smoke
- Air pollution
- Strong odors
- Chemical fumes
- Weather changes
Physical Activity
Exercise can trigger symptoms in some people, especially when the air is cold or dry during outdoor activity. It is sometimes referred to as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, and it can often be managed with the right plan.
Other Triggers
Other triggers may be less apparent but may also influence your asthma:
- Stress
- Cold air
- Certain medicines, such as aspirin or beta-blockers in some patients
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Comprehensive Diagnostic Approach
Medical History Review
Our diagnostic process begins with questions about your symptoms, how often they occur, and any factors that may trigger them. We also ask questions about your family history, allergy history, a past diagnosis of asthma and what medications you currently take.
Physical Exam
As part of your consultation, we listen to your lungs, observe your breathing, and inspect your chest and air passages for any abnormalities. This allows us to get a good understanding of your lung function before proceeding to testing.
Lung Function Testing
Spirometry measures how much air you can breathe in and out, and how fast the air moves through your airways. This test helps us check how well your lungs are working and whether there are any limits in your airflow.
Allergy Testing
If you have symptoms that indicate the involvement of allergens, we can run tests to find out which ones affect you. Knowing your triggers helps us build a plan that cuts down on the things making your asthma worse each day.
Personalized Asthma Assessment
We look at how severe your asthma is, how well your current plan is working, and what your treatment goals should be. This step helps us match your care to where you are right now, not just where you were at your last visit.
Asthma Treatment Options
Asthma Action Plan
We put together a written plan that outlines what to do when symptoms worsen or a flare-up occurs. It helps you track your symptoms and know when to adjust your medicines or reach out for help.
Controller Medicines
Depending on your condition, we may recommend medicines to take on a regular basis to keep airway swelling down and prevent symptoms from coming back. They are not for quick relief but work over time to help your lungs stay more stable day to day.
Rescue Medicines
We prescribe quick-relief inhalers for moments when symptoms flare up without warning and breathing becomes difficult. These inhalers work fast to open the airways, but they are intended for short-term use only.
Trigger Management
One of the most important steps in managing asthma is understanding what causes your symptoms to flare. Once those triggers are identified, practical adjustments at home, at work, or throughout your daily routine can help keep your airways more stable and your symptoms under better control.
Ongoing Follow-Up Care
Asthma changes over time, so regular visits help us track how your symptoms are changing each month. During these check-ins we’ll adjust medicines, review your action plan and discuss anything new that may be affecting you.
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Why Patients Choose Our Asthma Care Services
Our team at Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates brings over 40 years of experience in treating asthma and related conditions. Over that time, we have treated patients across all age groups and a wide range of symptom patterns. We also work to make asthma care as easy to access as possible for the people and families we serve. We work with Medicaid, CHIP, and insurers including Aetna, Blue Cross Blue Shield, Cigna, Humana, MetLife, and United Healthcare. Patients without coverage may be eligible for the SWAAA Round-Up plan as a flexible payment option.
Patient Stories
What Our Patients Has To Say
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, asthma can develop at any age. Some children receive a diagnosis early while others may not notice symptoms until adulthood. We adjust care plans based on the age, symptoms, and needs of each patient we see.
It depends on how well your symptoms are controlled and whether your treatment plan needs any changes at this time. In general, follow-up visits every three to six months are common, but our team will set a schedule based on your case.
A family history of asthma or allergies can raise your chances of developing the condition at some point in life. That said, not everyone with a family history will develop asthma, and people without one can still be diagnosed with it.
Schedule Your Appointment Today!
If breathing problems, coughing, or chest tightness have been showing up in your daily life, it is worth getting checked. Call Southwest Asthma & Allergy Associates today to set up your visit and talk through your symptoms with our care team.
