Asthma
Mannam Medical & Wellness
Primary Care Practice & Internal Medicine located in Bronx, NY
More than 25 million Americans have asthma, a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the lungs. At Mannam Medical & Wellness in the Soundview neighborhood of The Bronx in New York City, Prashanth Mannam, MD, Leslie Beckford, PA, and the team diagnose asthma and offer customized treatment plans to help you manage your condition and health. Call Mannam Medical & Wellness, or schedule a consultation online today, if you have any asthma symptoms.
Asthma Q & A
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the lungs. The swelling narrows the bronchi and can make it hard to breathe. Some of the common symptoms of asthma include:
- Wheezing breath
- Coughing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
You might also experience asthma attacks when your symptoms suddenly intensify. Asthma attacks are often distressing and sometimes life-threatening.
Medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of asthma. However, there is a strong link to your immune system. Not only do airborne allergens tend to make asthma symptoms worse, but people with allergies are more likely to have asthma than people who don’t.
There is also a link to your genetics as you’re more likely to have the condition if another person in your family has asthma.
When should I talk to a doctor about asthma?
You should schedule an appointment with the team at Mannam Medical & Wellness if you have any signs of asthma. When unmanaged, the condition can become life-threatening. Additionally, if your symptoms are severe and you can’t breathe, call 911 or go to your nearest emergency room.
How is asthma diagnosed?
The team at Mannam Medical & Wellness provides comprehensive testing to diagnose asthma. They begin by reviewing your medical history and asking about your symptoms. Then, they listen to your lungs.
The team uses diagnostic tests, including spirometry, peak expiratory flow testing, and bronchoprovocation tests. These evaluations provide information about:
- How much air moves in and out of your lungs
- How quickly you can expel air with maximum effort
- How you respond to different inhalable medications
Your provider might also suggest allergy testing, chest X-rays, EKGs, or sleep studies to look for signs of other diseases/conditions that can interfere with your respiration.
How is asthma treated?
While there isn’t a cure for asthma, the team at Mannam Medical & Wellness offers comprehensive asthma management plans. Depending on your condition, your provider might recommend quick-relief or control medicines.
Both types of medicine are usually inhalable, and you use an inhaler or a nebulizer to take them. You take control medication every day to reduce the inflammation in your lungs and a quick-relief medicine to relieve symptoms or an asthma attack.
Your provider also offers counseling and lifestyle advice to control your symptoms and reduce your risk of asthma attacks. You might find that getting regular exercise helps keep your lungs strong and functional.
Call Mannam Medical & Wellness, or make an appointment online today, for expert asthma management.