Asthma

Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center is a top provider of asthma diagnosis and treatment in the Atlanta area. With asthma symptoms including shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing and persistent coughing, people will often experience a lower quality of life. Dr. Chacko works with patients to identify the main causes of these symptoms and deliver targeted treatments for improved health. To ensure you are getting the best asthma treatment possible, make an appointment at one of our centers.

What is Asthma?

Asthma is a type of Chronic disease that starts in the airways and makes a person’s breathing difficult. Asthma can cause inflammation of one’s air passages, this causes narrowing of the airway that carries oxygen to the lungs.

Asthma can be a serious and even dangerous disease that affects up to 26 million Americans. There are three major factors of asthma:

1. Airway Obstruction – When your breath normally there are banks of muscle in your airways that are relaxed and allows the air to move freely. However, people with asthma and other colds or diseases, cause the bands to tighten, less air is then flowing causing a person to feel shortness of breath and cause wheezing.
2. Inflammation – People with asthma can have swollen/red bronchial tubes. Inflammation can cause long-term damage to your lungs. The best way to make sure that no damage is caused, you should see a doctor and get the proper treatment for your Asthma.
3. Airway Irritability – Airways due to asthma causes them to be highly sensitive.

What Causes or Can Trigger Asthma?

Due to the sensitive airways caused by asthma different things within the environment can trigger asthma to worsen. Some of these triggers include:

• Infections – Sinusitis, colds, and the flu.
• Allergens in the air – pollens, mold, spores, pet dander and dust mites.
• Irritants – Strong odors, Perfumes, clean solutions, air pollution.
• Tobacco Smoke
• Exercise
• Weather – temperature, humidity, or chilly air
• Strong Emotions – anxiety, laughter, crying, or stress
• Medications – Ex. Aspirin allergies.

What are the Risk Factors for Increasing the Chances of Developing Asthma?

There are several factors that can increase your chance of developing asthma, some of these risk factors include:

• Inheritance – Someone that is blood-related in your family also has asthma.
• Having an allergic condition – Atopic dermatitis or allergic rhinitis (hay fever)
• Overweight
• Smoker
• Exposure to second-hand smoke
• Exposure to fumes or other pollution, chemicals and more.

6 types of asthma and how they’re treated

There are many types of asthma, and treatment depends on which of the main 6 types of asthma you may have. Your doctor will perform tests to find out what treatment for your type of asthma is best for you. The distinct types of asthma include:

1. Allergic Asthma – This type of asthma happens when an allergy sets off an asthma flare-up
2. Asthma without Allergies – Some people experience asthma that is triggered by an upper respiratory infection like a cold or flu. This type of asthma occurs over a brief period of about 10-14 days.
3. Aspirin Exacerbated Respiratory Disease (AERD) – This is a type of asthma that is triggered when someone takes aspirin.
4. Exercise-Induced Asthma – This is when physical activity or exercise causes coughing, difficulty breathing, and chest tightness.
5. Cough Variant – is asthma that is characterized by a dry hacking cough.
6. Occupational Asthma – When a person with asthma works in a position where they work with items that trigger their asthma.

Who Is Most at Risk From Asthma?

Data provided by BMC Pulmonary Medicine shows that allergic asthma is most likely to affect young children, while incidences of non-allergic asthma peak during late adulthood. From age 40 and onwards, non-allergic asthma accounts for most new cases.

Common Asthma Questions

Is there a cure for allergic asthma?

There is no cure for allergic asthma, but symptoms can be managed using medication and an understanding of your triggers.

How long do asthma symptoms last?

The duration of asthma symptoms varies considerably. Your symptoms may pass in just a few minutes, or could last a few hours.

How do you test for allergic asthma?

There are various allergic asthma tests, including skin prick, blood, spirometry and lung function tests.

Professional Allergic Asthma Treatments in the Atlanta Area

Chacko Allergy, Asthma and Sinus Center provides expert asthma testing and treatment services for patients of all ages. We use state-of-the-art testing and comprehensive treatment plans for better health outcomes. To visit us in Alpharetta, Atlanta, Canton, Cumming, Duluth or Johns Creek, call (678) 668-4688 or request an appointment now.