If you or a loved one is suffering from asthma and want to get tested and treated for asthma, 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, asthma 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, MEDICARE, MEDICAID, and TRICARE. Please contact your insurance company for coverage details. We also accept cash and credit card payment.
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 periods of 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, more than 22 million people are known to have asthma. Nearly 6 million of these people are children.
Symptoms
The airways are tubes that carry air into and out of your lungs. People who have asthma have inflamed airways. This makes the airways swollen and very 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 also can worsen, making the airways even narrower. Cells in the airways may make more mucus than normal. 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 go away on their own or after minimal treatment with a specific asthma medicine. At other times, symptoms continue to get worse. When the symptoms get more intense and/or additional symptoms appear, this is an asthmatic attack; also called “flareups” or “exacerbations.”
Treatment and Diagnosis
It’s important for our Colorado Springs, Pueblo, and Cañon City patients to treat asthma symptoms when you first notice them. This will help prevent the symptoms from worsening and causing a severe asthma attack. 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, Cañon City, and Pueblo who have asthma are able to manage the disease. They have few, if any, asthma symptoms. They can live normal, active lives and sleep through the night without interruption from asthma. For successful, comprehensive, and ongoing asthma treatment, take an active role in managing 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 as soon as you can: