Asthma

Asthma is a chronic condition causing attacks that severely limit breathing. Board-certified internist Vincent Esparza, MD, at Persona Healthcare in Austin, Texas, provides holistic asthma care that helps you manage your condition successfully. With Dr. Esparza’s support, you can enjoy life to the fullest, so call Persona Healthcare today to arrange an asthma evaluation. You can also book an in-person or telemedicine appointment online at any time.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a long-term condition affecting breathing that can sometimes become life-threatening. If you have asthma, it means the airways in your lungs are inflamed or swollen, which can make it difficult to breathe during an asthma attack.

Approximately 20 million people in the United States are affected by asthma, including 10 million who have allergic asthma. Among them, about three million are children.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

The most common asthma symptoms include coughing, tightness in the chest, difficulty breathing, and wheezing. These symptoms typically occur during an asthma attack, which develops in response to certain triggers. Common asthma triggers include:

• Smoke
• Strong scents
• Changes in weather
• Viral or sinus infections
• Physical activity
• Acid reflux
• Certain medications
• Specific foods
• Emotional stress
• Allergens

Allergens like pollen, mold, dust mites, and pet dander trigger allergic asthma, the most widespread type. Other forms of the disease include exercise-induced asthma, which is often worse in cold, dry environments, and occupational asthma stemming from irritants like chemical fumes, gases, and dust in the workplace.

How is asthma diagnosed?

Dr. Esparza at Persona Healthcare uses various tests to diagnose asthma.

One he frequently uses is spirometry, which evaluates how much air you can inhale and exhale and the speed of your exhalation.

Another test measures exhaled nitric oxide levels to assess airway inflammation. Elevated nitric oxide levels are a classic sign of inflammation, which is a hallmark of asthma.

How is asthma treated?

Dr. Esparza works to identify your allergic triggers and create a customized treatment plan to minimize exposure to those triggers. Since avoiding allergens entirely isn’t always possible, he offers advanced treatment options, including cutting-edge biologic medications for moderate to severe asthma.

One way to manage allergic asthma is by using medications that bind to the IgE antibody, which plays a significant role in airway inflammation. Blocking this antibody helps reduce the inflammatory response and prevents asthma attacks.

Another treatment option is allergy immunotherapy, which involves receiving regular allergy shots. For severe asthma, treatment may include inhaled steroids or oral steroids during flare-ups. It’s also essential for anyone with asthma to carry an inhaler at all times for emergency use.

If you need assistance managing asthma, contact Persona Healthcare by phone or book an appointment online today. Telemedicine consultations are also available.