Comprehensive Diagnostic Testing & Asthma Care

Asthma is a respiratory condition in which your airways narrow and swell and produce extra mucus, making it difficult to breath and resulting in coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath. It is the most common chronic disease of childhood, affecting more than six million children in the United States alone.

Asthma can be a minor inconvenience for some people, but for others it can be a serious – even life-threatening – problem that hinders one’s quality of life.

The signs and symptoms of asthma tend to flare up in certain situations. Different types of asthma include:

Exercise-induced asthma, which is activated by intense physical activity and may worsen when the air is cold and dry
Allergic asthma, which is triggered by airborne substances including pollen, mold spores, and pet dander
Non-allergic asthma, which can be caused by irritants at home or on the job such as dust, chemical fumes, gases, or other environmental factors

Other asthma triggers include air pollutants and irritants (e.g. smoke), certain medications, stress, sulfites and preservatives in various types of food and beverages (shrimp, dried fruit, wine, and beer), and gastroesophageal (acid) reflux.

In children, establishing a diagnosis of asthma involves comprehensive history taking, physical examination, and oftentimes diagnostic studies. Other potential causes of symptoms must be carefully considered, particularly in young children, when lung function testing is technically difficult.

Although asthma can’t be cured, it can usually be managed with rescue inhalers like albuterol (which treats symptoms) and controller inhalers like steroids (which prevent symptoms).

A severe case of asthma may require a longer-acting inhaler – such as formoterol, salmeterol, or tiotropium – along with oral steroids to help keep your child’s airways open and normalize his or her breathing.

At Chicago Pulmonary Specialists, we provide comprehensive diagnostic testing and effective treatment for asthma for those suffering from asthma. For more information, call us today at (847) 998-3434 or request an appointment using our convenient online form.