Allergies & asthma
More common than you think
Along with spring and summer comes an increase in people who suffer from allergies and asthma. Asthma, a disease that affects the tubes that bring air to and from the lungs, can often be triggered by allergies. Allergies, and in turn asthma, can be triggered by many environmental irritants, including furry pets; smoking and secondhand cigarette smoke; exposure to pollen and dust; and closed spaces without clean airflow.
Andrew Martin, M.D., Chair of the Pulmonary Department at Deborah Heart and Lung Center, sees a spike in asthma and allergy patients once the warmer weather arrives.
“What many people don't realize is that asthma can occur at any point in a person's life,” says Dr. Martin. “Adults who've never had respiratory issues can develop asthma even if they weren't affected in their youth. Don't assume that if you didn't have asthma as a child, you won't get it as an adult.”
Dr. Martin treats patients who have several different types of asthma, each with a different trigger. “There's exercise-induced asthma, allergy-induced asthma and cough-variant asthma,” he says. “Each one requires a different type of treatment.”
Asthma symptoms
Common symptoms of asthma include severe wheezing, excessive coughing, rapid breathing, chest pressure and a pale and sweaty face. “If you find yourself having respiratory problems or experience any of these symptoms, you should see a physician right away,” advises Dr. Martin. “You could be having an allergy attack, or you could have asthma. Asthma attacks are preventable. And there are many ways allergies can be controlled. A visit with a pulmonary specialist can help.
“It's important to identify what's going on. Sometimes people just dismiss their symptoms as a passing allergy attack when they actually have a more serious respiratory issue. In any case, these problems can be very well-managed with today's sophisticated tools,” says Dr. Martin.
Don't let allergies attack!
To learn more about how Deborah's specialists can help with your allergies or asthma, or to schedule an appointment, call 1-800-555-1990.