For those who live with asthma, proper management of the condition is critical for better health. You may think your asthma is well under control, but are you sure? A lot of asthmatic patients do not know what well-managed asthma symptoms are like until they consult a doctor.
Below, we talk about uncontrolled asthma, recognizing its symptoms, and when to see an asthma doctor.
What is Asthma, and What Causes It?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that affects the airways in the lungs. It causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, making it difficult to get air in and out of the lungs. Asthma is hereditary, and if you have a family history of asthma, you are more likely to develop it.
Asthma symptoms can be mild or severe and are characterized by flare ups, causing elevated symptoms that can last for a few minutes to a few days. Some of the most common symptoms include coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and wheezing. Anybody can get asthma, however, having multiple chronic respiratory conditions can exacerbate your symptoms and make it challenging to treat.
Asthma can be triggered by allergens, such as smoke, pollen, or animal dander, as well as stress and respiratory infections. Part of asthma treatment is recognizing a patient’s triggers.
Asthma, when properly managed, does not cause symptoms daily. Many patients who can successfully get their asthma under control find it unnecessary to reach for their inhaler more than two times a week.
What are Signs of Uncontrolled Asthma?
Below are some signs that you need proper asthma control:
- Frequent coughing or wheezing, especially at night
- Waking up at night more than twice a month due to asthma symptoms
- Shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
- Chest tightness or pain
- Having a life-threatening asthma attack
- Feeling tired or weak during the day
- Using a quick-relief inhaler more than twice a week
- Having to limit your activities because of asthma symptoms
- Having allergies and sinus infections
- Needing to refill your asthma quick-relief inhaler more than twice a year
If you are experiencing uncontrolled asthma symptoms, it may be time to see an asthma doctor. Uncontrolled asthma is not just uncomfortable, it can also lead to serious complications, especially if you already have multiple medical conditions.
What Can an Asthma Doctor Do?
An asthma doctor can be a big help to anyone with asthma and other respiratory illnesses. They can develop an asthma action plan tailored to your specific needs and educate you on correct and effective techniques to manage your asthma.
The doctor can help you achieve the following goals:
- Establish normal lung function
- Relieve symptoms
- Prevent asthma flare-ups
- Decrease symptoms of asthma over time
An asthma doctor can also help you identify and manage other conditions that may worsen your asthma symptoms.
Asthma Doctor in Rochester, NY
At Cornerstone Urgent Care Center, we are proud to offer the community our chronic disease management services. Our medical professionals see patients with asthma and other respiratory conditions such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and help them get their condition under control. We also work with primary care doctors and make referrals to specialists, if necessary.
Being a walk-in clinic, you can receive care without needing to make an appointment. We are located at 2968 Chili Avenue in Rochester, New York. Our operating hours are Monday through Friday: 8 am to 8 pm, and Saturdays and Sundays: 9 am to 7 pm.
