Pulmonary testing in Crystal Lake can identify asthma or allergies

Posted By: Noga Askenazi M.D. | Published On: Oct 30, 2017 | Lung Function Testing

If you are suffering from allergies or asthma, the team at Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates can provide pulmonary testing and treatment to improve quality of life.

At our Crystal Lake office, we are experienced in diagnosis and treatment of allergy and asthma conditions related to:

Molds, pets, pollen, and dust
Food, drugs, insects
Skin disorders such as eczema and hives
Allergic sinusitis and bronchitis

Comprehensive testing

We offer a broad range of allergy testing to accurately diagnose specific conditions. This includes skin, patch, and pulmonary function testing.

Pulmonary function testing

Also known as spirometry, pulmonary function testing measures how allergies are affecting the respiratory system. It can test for asthma, allergies, and other conditions like emphysema and COPD.

How it works

Pulmonary function testing determines:

The amount of air you can hold in your lungs
The speed you can transfer air in and out of the lungs
How well lungs oxygenate blood
How well lungs eliminate carbon dioxide from the blood

Spirometry is typically the first pulmonary function test performed to determine these traits and other factors that impact respiration. During a spirometry test you are instructed to breathe normally in and out of a mouthpiece. The device is connected to a machine that measures breathing and lung function. The test is often repeated multiple times. Sometimes special medications are used to open the lungs, so we can evaluate how they impact your breathing.

Results from the test are printed on a chart called a spirogram. Some of the most common measurements we evaluate are:

Forced vital capacity
Forced expiratory volume
Forced expiratory flow
Peak expiratory flow

To find out if your breathing problems may be related to allergies, contact us today at (847) 888-8802. Dr. Askenazi and the staff are ready to help you on the path to breathing better.

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Meredith Cirrincione, MS, PA-C

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.

Noga Askenazi M.D.

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.

Susan Bockman, FNP

Susan Bockman is a board-certified Family Nurse Practitioner who specializes in treating asthma, allergies, and related skin conditions. With both personal and professional experience in managing allergies, she brings a compassionate and holistic approach to patient care. Susan earned her Master of Science in Nursing from Northern Illinois University and is a member of Sigma Theta Tau International Honor Society in Nursing. She is deeply committed to supporting families and individuals through comprehensive, empathetic care. Outside the clinic, she enjoys genealogy, long walks with audiobooks, antiquing, and watching football with her family.