If you often find yourself wheezing, coughing, or experiencing difficulties breathing, you may have asthma. At the private practice, internal medicine physician Prabhdeep Singh, MD, FACP, spends ample time with patients to diagnose and treat asthma in El Centro, California, as well as other seasonal and chronic allergies. If you or a loved one are experiencing respiratory problems, don’t wait to schedule your consultation. Call the office of Prabhdeep Singh, MD today or use the online booking tool.
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What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes your airway to swell, narrow, and produce excessive mucus. With time, these factors cause difficulties in breathing and trigger bouts of wheezing and coughing.
What Are the Common Symptoms of Asthma?
Asthma exhibits varying symptoms from one patient to another. The most common symptoms of asthma include, but are not limited to, chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing, difficulties sleeping, and chest pain. As the condition worsens, you may also realize that you need an instant-relief inhaler frequently.
What Are the Causes of Asthma?
Medical professionals are not totally sure what causes asthma, but a blend of environmental factors and genetics play a huge role. Most of the substances and irritants that trigger allergies also trigger asthma.
The common asthma allergies include dust mites, stress, pollen, exercise, mold spores, pollutants, and gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). By identifying what is triggering your asthma, you can take the necessary steps to avoid them, in turn easing your symptoms.
How to Diagnose Asthma?
To accurately diagnose asthma, Dr. Singh performs a comprehensive physical exam and cross-checks your medical history. He also discusses your prevailing symptoms and performs a lung (pulmonary) function test through spirometry.
Spirometry measures two aspects. One, how much air you exhale after taking in a deep breath, and two, how fast you breathe out. Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Singh may also recommend that you take a bronchodilator. If the functioning of your lungs is enhanced after taking a bronchodilator, you likely have asthma.
How to Treat Asthma?
Asthma treatment varies according to the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Singh educates patients on how to determine the triggers and offers tips on how to avoid them. You may also benefit from an instant-relief inhaler.
In addition, several forms of prescription medication can be used to treat asthma. According to your unique needs, Dr. Singh may use one of the following:
- Long-acting-beta-agonists.
- Inhaled corticosteroids.
- Combination inhalers.
- Leukotriene modifiers.
Asthma treatment evolves with time. All in all, the aim is to keep your symptoms under control and enhance your life quality.
What Are Allergies?
Allergies develop once the body’s immune system acts irrationally to a harmless substance, such as pollen or dust, and identifies it as life-threatening. In turn, your body produces antibodies that inflame your digestive tract, skin, and sinuses.
Similar to asthma, the adversity of allergies is different from one patient to another. Dr. Singh often partners with patients to offer them a comprehensive diagnosis and effective treatments for seasonal and chronic allergies.
That said, do not let asthma or allergies affect your life quality. Schedule an appointment with Dr. Singh today through mobile or use the online booking tool.