Asthma can be mild with only episodic flare-ups or moderate to severe and quite debilitating. If left untreated, asthma can be life-threatening. Asthma-related issues are responsible for an estimated 4000 deaths annually in the United States.
Typical asthma symptoms include:
- Wheezing or a scratchy, whistling sound when you breathe, often noted as you exhale
- Shortness of breath or the sensation that you can’t pull enough air into your lungs
- Tightness or pain in your chest
- Chronic cough that may interfere with your sleep at night
These symptoms may worsen suddenly during an acute or sudden asthma flare-up that’s often referred to as an asthma attack. Some people only have symptoms when they exercise or experience an extremely stressful situation.
It’s often more difficult to identify asthma in young children because of their inability to describe their symptoms.
Always call 911 or seek emergency medical care if your child is having difficulty breathing and consider making an appointment with Dr. Herrscher or Dr. Saifi if your child:
- Has a constant cough or a cough that’s triggered by exercise or cold air
- Wheezes when exhaling
- Has episodes of rapid breathing
- Slows down or stops playing due to breathing issues
- Avoids sports or play activities that require physical exercise
Effective asthma treatment requires a multipronged approach that includes quick-relief “rescue” inhalers to use during a sudden asthma attack. The medications in these inhalers (bronchodilators) quickly relax your chest muscles and open your airways but aren’t meant for long-term use. If you have asthma and use your rescue inhaler more than twice a week, it’s time to see Dr. Herrscher for an improved treatment plan.
Daily “controller” medications are used for long-term reduction of inflammation and include inhaled corticosteroids such as:
- Fluticasone (Flovent® HFA)
- Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler®)
- Mometasone (Asmanex®)
Because allergies often trigger asthma attacks, Dr. Herrscher and Dr. Saifi might recommend allergy testing and treatment which may include immunotherapy. For moderate to severe asthma, he might also recommend Fasenra™ (benralizumab), which is delivered via injection every four weeks for the first three doses and then once every eight weeks as a maintenance medication.
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