Asthma

Shortness of breath and wheezing, particularly during exercise, may indicate asthma. At Pronto Med Care in Toms River, New Jersey, board-certified physician Jessica Carpenter, MD, and her highly trained team treat asthma to help you breathe deeper and avoid severe asthma complications. Schedule an asthma evaluation by calling the office or using the online booking tab today. 

What is asthma?

Asthma is a common lung condition that affects your airways, making them swell and narrow, causing difficulty breathing. It commonly develops during childhood and sticks around into adulthood. If asthma contributes to problems for you or a loved one, see your family medicine specialist. Pronto Med Care offers highly effective asthma treatments to make breathing easier. 

Which symptoms can asthma cause?

Asthma can cause:

• Wheezing sounds
• Shortness of breath
• Difficulty breathing
• Coughing
• Problems sleeping
• Chest tightness
• Breathing problems during exercise
• Decreased ability to stay physically active

These or similar symptoms vary in severity. They may worsen when you’re active, ill, or exposed to air pollution or other airborne lung irritants. Asthma is simply a nuisance for some people, while it can become life-threatening for others.

What increases the risk of asthma?

Asthma affects more than 25 million people in the United States, including more than 5 million kids. Risk factors for asthma include:

• Allergies
• Family history of asthma or allergies
• Toxin, chemical, or fume exposure
• Smoking
• Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV)
• Other respiratory infections

Examples of asthma triggers include airborne irritants, exercise, and exposure to substances you’re allergic to, such as mold, dust mites, smoke, pet dander, or pollen.

How does a provider diagnose asthma?

Diagnosing asthma typically includes discussing your medical history and symptoms, a physical exam, and lung-function testing. During the test, you breathe into a specialized device before and after using a bronchodilator, a medicine that widens your airways. 

You might also undergo a chest X-ray to screen for other lung conditions or skin prick testing, blood tests, or patch testing to screen for allergies. 

How is asthma treated?

Treating asthma involves keeping the air in your home clean and using an inhaler, particularly during exercise or whenever you struggle to get full breaths of air. Always keep the inhaler with you, and call the Pronto Med Care office if you need a prescription refill. 

If allergies contribute to breathing issues, you might try allergy avoidance, oral medications, nasal sprays, allergy shots, or other allergy treatments. 

Follow up with the Pronto Med Care team as often as needed to ensure an effective, long-lasting outcome. 

Schedule an asthma evaluation at Pronto Med Care by calling the office or booking an appointment online today.