Advanced Asthma Care

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory condition affecting the airways with periodic symptoms of breathlessness, coughing and wheezing. Chronic inflammation can result in an excess thickness of airway smooth muscle (ASM), which constricts the airways and makes breathing difficult — common symptoms during an allergy attack.

Your care team at Orlando Health Medical Group Lung and Sleep Medicine will develop a plan of care for you, working with you to control your symptoms and triggers, and monitor your condition.

Types of Asthma

Some people experience flare-ups of asthma symptoms triggered by certain situations:

• Exercise-induced asthma, which can be worse in cold, dry air
• Occupational asthma, caused by workplace irritants such as chemical fumes or dust
• Allergy-induced asthma, caused by airborne substances such as pollen, mold spores or pet dander

Symptoms

Asthma symptoms vary in severity and from person to person. You may have symptoms infrequently, only at certain times like during physical exertion, or all the time. Asthma signs and symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Tightness or pain in the chest
• Wheezing
• Trouble sleeping caused by shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing

Diagnosis

In addition to clinical testing for a proper diagnosis, our team of specialists will help you determine the triggers that cause your asthma symptoms and work on ways to avoid or reduce your exposure so that you can lead a full and active life.

Treatment

While asthma cannot be cured, its symptoms can be managed with regular, ongoing medical care. Early treatment of asthma may help prevent long-term damage to the lungs and keep your condition from worsening. Asthma can change over time, so it is important to work with your healthcare team to track your signs and symptoms in order to adjust your treatment as necessary.

Some treatment therapies include:

• Intermittent inhaled corticosteroids to help control inflammation in the airways over time
• Use of a bronchodilator, a medication that helps to relax airway muscles in the lungs
• Bronchial thermoplasty to treat severe asthma by using heat to reduce the smooth muscle around the airways that tighten and make breathing difficult during an asthma attack
• Immunotherapy may lessen your sensitivity to allergens that trigger your asthma
• Reducing your exposure to known allergens such as dust mites or pet dander