Asthma

Wheezing? Coughing? These are common signs of asthma, a long-term condition. With the right care from Dominion Family Healthcare in San Antonio, you can put the uncomfortable symptoms of asthma behind you. Their team includes an experienced family medicine practitioner, Dr. Yasmeen Agha, and they remain on the cutting edge of treatments to enhance your lasting health and well-being. To find out how they can help you, call or schedule a consultation online today.

Asthma Q & A

What is asthma?

A chronic condition, asthma causes difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing. Asthma is brought on when the airway that delivers oxygen to your lungs becomes narrow, inflamed, and full of mucus.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma symptoms can come and go. The most common signs of asthma are:

  • Coughing
  • Trouble breathing
  • Tightness in your chest
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing

You may experience asthma attacks that are mild, severe, or somewhere in between. A mild episode of asthma may last just a few minutes, while a more serious episode may persist hours or days.

What causes asthma?

Allergens and various substances can trigger asthma, including:

  • Smoke
  • Strong odors or perfumes
  • Chemical fumes
  • Extreme weather
  • A respiratory condition or the flu

Asthma is also provoked by strong emotions that disrupt your breathing. Science shows rapid breathing can tighten bronchial tubes, possibly setting off or worsening an attack.

What is the process for diagnosing asthma?

An accurate diagnosis is the first step toward clearer breathing free of asthma symptoms. Your doctor at Dominion Family Healthcare may ask if asthma and allergies run in your family, and what seems to trigger your asthma symptoms. They might ask about your experience with:

  • Sinus infections
  • Reflux disease
  • Stress
  • Sleep apnea

You might need to take a breath test, which involves blowing into a hollow tube. The test helps your doctor gauge how well the airways in your lungs are working.

To help confirm your diagnosis, you may also need a chest X-ray, exercise test, or skin test to see if you have an allergic reaction to certain substances.

What is the treatment for asthma?

At Dominion Family Health, your doctor will partner with you to explore all avenues of treatment. Together, you’ll decide on the right medicine, or combination of medicines, to manage your asthma. Generally, this includes a combination of short-term and long-term treatments.

The goal of your treatment is to prevent uncomfortable symptoms to:

  • Help you maintain healthy, well-functioning lungs
  • Allow you to continue doing all the activities you enjoy
  • Give you a restful night’s sleep
  • Prevent asthma attacks that could result in an emergency room visit or hospital stay

If you’re ready to gain relief from the symptoms of asthma, call today or schedule a consultation online with the experts in lasting health at Dominion Family Healthcare in San Antonio.