Asthma
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Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep
Pulmonary & Sleep Medicine Specialists located in St. Petersburg, FL
About 1 in 13 Americans struggle to breath because of asthma. To keep your asthma symptoms well-managed and prevent complications from an asthma attack, Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep offers comprehensive asthma care. Pulmonary specialists Ashok Tyagi, DO, CPE, and Himanshu Chandarana, MD, provide lung function testing on-site to confirm an asthma diagnosis. They also customize care plans to prevent asthma attacks and manage your condition in the long-term. Call the St. Petersburg, Florida, office to schedule a diagnostic evaluation for asthma today or book an appointment online.
Asthma Q&A
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic lung condition that causes inflammation in your airways and makes taking oxygen into your lungs difficult. During an asthma attack, your lungs also produce extra mucus which triggers a persistent cough, wheezing, and shortness of breath.
The reason some people get asthma and others don’t isn’t well understood. However, your genetic history and your environment likely play a role in the disease. Common triggers of an asthma attack include:
- Colds
- Dust and other allergens
- Physical activity
- Cold weather
- Smoke and other air pollutants
- Food preservatives
- Certain medications
You may also be prone to asthma if you have gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), a condition where stomach acids flow back up into your esophagus.
If you have a family history of asthma or if you have allergies, your risk for asthma may increase.
What are the symptoms of asthma?
Asthma symptoms can range from minor in some people to severe in others. Some of the most common symptoms that asthma can cause include:
- Wheezing
- Chest pain
- Persistent cough
- Shortness of breath
- Difficulty sleeping
In some cases, symptoms can be severe enough to require emergency medical attention at the nearest hospital or by calling 911.
If you have asthma symptoms that are worsening or interfering with your quality of life, schedule a diagnostic evaluation with the team at Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep.
How is asthma diagnosed?
To confirm your symptoms relate to asthma or another lung condition, the team at Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep offers comprehensive physical exams and lung function tests in-office.
A lung function test is a noninvasive test that measures how much air you can move in and out of your lungs during a period of time. The team may measure your lung function before and after you take a medication that helps to open up your airways.
You may also need allergy testing to identify potential triggers of an asthma attack, so you can limit your exposure.
How is asthma treated?
Your treatment plan for asthma depends on the severity and frequency of your symptoms. The Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep providers may initially begin with lifestyle changes that lower your risk for an asthma attack.
While there’s no cure for asthma, many people benefit from taking oral medications that prevent an asthma attack. Inhaled medications can also rapidly reduce inflammation during an asthma attack. For more severe asthma attacks, you may need in-office breathing treatments to fully open your airways.
If you also have allergies, you may need medications or immunotherapy to reduce your body’s reaction to certain substances.
To get help managing your asthma, call Stat Care Pulmonary and Sleep today or book a diagnostic evaluation online.
