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Don’t let asthma flare-ups control your life. Act now!

Approximately 25 million Americans have asthma. It’s the most common chronic disorder in children but millions of adults also deal with it. Asthma results in inflammation within the lung’s airways, making it difficult to breathe. The symptoms of asthma can be scary, especially if you don’t know what’s going on. Luckily, our Lubbock, TX, asthma specialist Dr. Suzanne Beck is here to tell you what you can to reduce your asthma attacks.

What are my asthma treatment options?

The number one way to reduce the frequency and severity of asthma symptoms is through medication. Not all medications work equally for everyone may require some time to come up with the right combination to manage your asthma.

The most common asthma treatment is a controller inhaler, which you will use everyday. It will help reduce inflammation and reduce the likelihood of an attack. Of course, even while taking these medications regularly you may still experience an attack. When that happens it’s important that you have a fast-acting rescue inhaler to quickly reduce airway constriction. Those who have exercise-induced asthma will find that a rescue inhaler can help control and even reduce their attacks.

Those whose asthma symptoms are due to allergies may receive injections, called an immunomodulator, to help reduce your body’s reaction to the allergen. This is particularly helpful for those dealing with moderate-to-severe asthma due to allergies.

There are also lifestyle modifications you can make to reduce your risk for an asthma flare-up. This includes quitting smoking and staying away from second-hand smoke. Knowing what triggers your asthma can also help you avoid that trigger.

Being overweight can also make asthma symptoms worse, so talk to us about the best approach to safely lose the weight. Furthermore, exercise can help increase your lung capacity, which can reduce asthma symptoms. Talk to your doctor about starting a new exercise regimen with asthma.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

The most classic asthma symptom is shortness of breathing or difficulty breathing. You may find yourself coughing or gasping for air (this usually occurs more often at night). You may wheeze (a whistling noise within the chest when breathing) or feel tightness in your chest.

Symptoms can vary from one person to the next in frequency and severity, but if you or your child is having trouble breathing it’s important to turn to our Lubbock, TX, asthma doctor right away for an evaluation.

Are you experiencing wheezing and shortness of breathing in Lubbock, TX? Do you want to talk about different asthma medications to find out which one is right for you? Whatever your needs might be, Allergy and Asthma Clinic of West Texas is here to help you breathe easier.