If you regularly find yourself coughing, wheezing, or struggling to breathe, asthma may be to blame. At his practice in El Centro, California, internal medicine physician Prabhdeep Singh, MD, FACP, regularly works with patients to diagnose and treat asthma as well as chronic and seasonal allergies. If you or a loved one is experiencing respiratory issues, don’t wait to request your appointment. Call the office or click the online scheduling tool today.
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes your airways to swell, narrow, and produce extra mucus. Over time, these factors make it difficult to breathe and trigger bouts of coughing and wheezing.
No two patients with asthma exhibit the same symptoms. That said, telltale signs of asthma include:
As the condition gets worse, you might also notice you need to use your quick-relief inhaler more often.
Experts aren’t entirely sure what causes asthma, but it’s thought that a combination of genetics and environmental factors play a role. Many of the same irritants and substances that trigger allergies also trigger asthma. Common asthma triggers include:
By pinpointing your asthma triggers, you can take steps to avoid them, and in turn, ease your symptoms.
To diagnose asthma, Dr. Singh conducts a physical exam and reviews your medical history. He also asks you questions about the symptoms you’re experiencing and conducts a pulmonary (lung) function test using spirometry.
Spirometry measures two things: how much air you exhale after taking a deep breath and how quickly you breathe out. Depending on your symptoms, Dr. Singh might also ask you to take a bronchodilator. If your lung function improves after taking a bronchodilator, you probably have asthma.
Treatment for asthma depends on the severity of your symptoms. Dr. Singh teaches patients how to recognize their triggers and provides tips on how to avoid them. You might also benefit from using a quick-relief inhaler.
There are also several types of prescription medication used to treat asthma. Depending on your needs, Dr. Singh might recommend:
Asthma treatment usually evolves over time. Ultimately, the goal is to get your symptoms under control and improve your quality of life.
Allergies occur when your body’s immune system overreacts to a harmless substance, such as dust or pollen, and identifies it as life-threatening. This causes your body to produce antibodies that inflame your skin, sinuses, and digestive tract.
Like asthma, the severity of allergies varies from person to person. Dr. Singh regularly works with patients to diagnose and treat both chronic and seasonal allergies.
If allergies or asthma are negatively affecting your life, make an appointment with Dr. Singh today by calling the office or clicking the online scheduling tool.
