Understanding Asthma and Asthma Treatments in Crystal Lake

Understanding Asthma and Asthma Treatments in Crystal Lake

Asthma is a widespread lung condition that affects a large number of Americans. It involves the inflammation of your body’s airways, resulting in narrowing airway passages and making it hard or uncomfortable to breathe. A severe onset or “asthma attack” may include periods of intense coughing, chest tightening, wheezing, or a struggle to breathe. Luckily for some, asthma can often be allergy-related, and the specialists at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates specialize in identifying the underlying causes of allergy symptoms. They can help you understand what may be causing asthma attacks and help you develop a treatment plan suited to your needs.

Learn How Asthma Works

Your airways are hollow tubes encased in muscle. Those muscles will expand and contract when functioning healthily, regulating the airflow that moves in and out of your body. Healthy airways are thin and coated with a small amount of mucus.

The source of asthmatic symptoms lies primarily in the fact that their airways are inflamed continuously. The inflammation may not always cause symptoms, but it sensitizes the tissues in your lungs, and allergens may cause the muscles to tighten and restrict airflow more than usual. That may also produce excess mucus, making it even harder to breathe.

Controlling the symptoms

Depending on your goals and the severity of your symptoms, there are a wide variety of treatment options, including:

  • Identifying asthma-inducing allergen triggers and controlling exposure 
  • Inhalable medications that may control symptoms
  • Emergency inhalers can stop symptoms of an attack

One of the most basic measures in controlling allergy-induced asthma attacks is identifying the triggers causing your allergic reaction. The skilled physicians at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois use advanced scientific testing to identify the specific allergens affecting you accurately. With that information, you can control your asthma by developing an approach to treatment that suits your goals and lifestyle.

To schedule an appointment for a consultation at either our Elgin or Crystal Lake, IL location, call (847) 888-8802


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Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates

Meredith Cirrincione | Dr. Noga Askenazi

Amy Schack, a distinguished board-certified Physician Associate, brings a wealth of expertise to patient care. Specializing in allergic rhinitis, sinusitis, asthma, and rashes, Amy is renowned for her commitment to excellence and compassionate approach. With a background in immediate care and orthopedics, she holds a Master's in Physician Assistant studies from Midwestern University and a Bachelor of Science from Northern Illinois University. A member of esteemed professional associations, including the American Academy of Physician Assistants and the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology, Amy Schack instills confidence, ensuring you can trust her unwavering dedication to your health and well-being.


Meredith Cirrincione is a board certified Physician Assistant and specializes in treating allergies, with a focus on asthma, rashes, environmental allergies, chemical and food allergies. She holds a Masters in Physician Assistant Studies from The Chicago Medical School - Rosalind Franklin University of Health Sciences. She is a Fellow member of the American Academy of Physician Assistants, the Illinois Academy of Physician Assistants, and the Association of PAs in Allergy, Asthma and Immunology. She likes to approach things holistically. She is a strong patient advocate and adored by her patients. She enjoys singing, reading, cooking, and the great outdoors.


Dr. Noga Askenazi is a nationally recognized asthma and allergy specialist who is board certified in pediatric and adult allergy. Her areas of special interest are innovative treatment of rashes, sinusitis, food allergies, asthma and immune disorders. She was past President of the ISAAI (Illinois Society of Allergy, Asthma, & Immunology), works on state and national committees for advancement of the allergy field and is a consultant for Advocate, Ascension Health, Northwestern amongst other health care systems. Her joy is helping patients reach their goals after together determining best treatments. Her staff and patients are a chosen family, and she invests in their happiness. She enjoys gardening, biking and cooking to good music.


Our Happy Patients

Many Patients are satisfied and even ecstatic with the abilities of Dr. Askenazi and
the team at Advance Allergy & Asthma Associates.



National Allergy Bureau Pollen and Mold Report.