If you or a loved one suffers from asthma and wants to get tested and treated for it, we can help. Our board-certified asthma doctors at Asthma & Allergy Associates in Colorado Springs are the leaders in diagnosing and treating asthmatic ailments.
Asthma is not uncommon; millions of Americans have and live with this pulmonary disorder every day. Fortunately, this pulmonary condition doesn’t have to get in the way of living the lifestyle you want to live. We have advanced medicines and treatment options to help you manage and control your symptoms.
Contact our clinic to schedule a time to talk to one of our immunologists at Asthma & Allergy Associations, PC (AACOS).
Your screening or treatment visit may be covered by insurance. We accept all major insurances, including Medicare, Medicaid, and TRICARE. Please get in touch with your insurance company for details on coverage. We also accept cash and credit card payments.
Overview
For a quick overview about asthma, watch the video interview with Colorado Springs immunologist James Fulton, MD:
What Is Asthma?
Asthma (AZ-ma) is a chronic (long-term) lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways. It causes recurring wheezing (a whistling sound when you breathe), chest tightness, shortness of breath, and coughing. The coughing often occurs at night or early in the morning. It affects people of all ages, but it most often starts in childhood. In the United States, nearly 28 million people are known to be asthmatic. Nearly 4.9 million of these people are children.
Reference: aafa.org
Symptoms
The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of the lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed airways. This causes the airways to become swollen and highly sensitive. They tend to react strongly to certain substances that are breathed in. When the airways react, the muscles around them tighten. This causes the airways to narrow, and less air flows to your lungs. The swelling can also worsen, further narrowing the airways. Cells in the airways may make more mucus than usual. Mucus is a sticky, thick liquid that can further narrow your airways. This chain reaction can result in asthmatic symptoms, which can happen each time the airways are irritated.
The medical diagram below illustrates what happens to your airway during an asthmatic attack:
- Figure A shows the location of the lungs and airways in the body.
- Figure B shows a cross-section of a normal airway.
- Figure C shows a cross-section of an airway with symptoms.
Sometimes, symptoms are mild and resolve spontaneously or after minimal treatment with a specific asthma medication. At other times, symptoms continue to get worse. When symptoms become more severe or additional symptoms appear, this is an asthma attack, also called “flare-ups” or “exacerbations.”
Asthma Diagnosis and Treatment
Patients should get an evaluation as soon as symptoms are first noticed. This will help prevent the symptoms from worsening. Severe asthma attacks may require emergency care – they can cause death!
Asthma can’t be cured. Even when you feel fine, you still have the disease, and it can flare up at any time. But with today’s knowledge and asthma treatments, most of our patients in Colorado Springs and Pueblo who have asthma can manage the disease. They have few, if any, asthmatic symptoms. They can live normal, active lives and sleep through the night without interruption. For successful, comprehensive, ongoing treatment, actively manage your medical condition. Build strong partnerships with your doctor and other clinicians on your health care team.
Where Can I Get Tested?
The sooner you get a diagnosis, the sooner steps can be taken to manage your asthmatic symptoms. If you think you may be at risk for asthma, schedule an appointment to talk to one of our board-certified asthma doctors today: