Asthma treatment options for patients in the St. Charles, IL area
Imagine that you are trying to breathe, but it feels like there is a strong force squeezing your lungs tightly. Think what it might be like if you had to take all of your breaths through a straw. For many asthma patients, these scenarios are a reality as they try to live daily with asthma. Asthma is a chronic condition that causes narrowing and swelling of the airways. Common symptoms of asthma are coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, and tightening of the chest. The symptoms of asthma can be overwhelming, but luckily, there are many treatment options to manage the effects of asthma. With a proper treatment plan, patients with asthma can live healthy, active lives.
There are several goals when it comes to treating asthma:
- Managing asthma symptoms – Keeping asthma under control begins by working with your doctor to understand the best ways to manage asthma.
- Get to know your medications – It’s important to understand the proper use of your medications, such as a spacer or inhaler and make sure to take the medication as directed.
- Understand triggers – For many patients, there are certain triggers that cause common asthma symptoms. Learning how to avoid or reduce exposure to these triggers can keep asthma under control.
- Know the warning signs – It is important to monitor your asthma and to understand the warning signs of an attack.
There are generally two types of medications used for asthma treatment:
- Short-term medications. These are to be used on an as needed basis to provide quick relief. In some cases patients may also be instructed to take their short-term medications before symptoms appear, like if they are about to exercise.
- Long-term medications. These medications are taken every day to prevent inflammation, symptoms, or attacks. The most common type of long-term medications is anti-inflammatory medications.
Avoiding triggers that cause asthma symptoms is an important part of any treatment plan. The most common triggers are exercise, allergens, irritants, or infections.
Unmanaged asthma can be a scary condition, but with the right treatment plan in place from experienced doctors such as Dr. Askenazi and her associates, asthma patients can go on to live their lives just like anyone else. If you live in St. Charles, IL or the surrounding areas and you would like help managing your asthma, call us today.
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