Asthma diagnosis and treatments are offered at our medical practice. best for you.
Asthma is a chronic condition that affects the airways and lungs as a result of exposure to an inhalant allergen. Asthma usually presents itself during childhood and 50% of childhood asthma sufferers make a full recovery by adolescence.Â
While allergic asthma is not curable, it is treatable and manageable throughout life. Allergic asthma is commonly triggered by inhalant allergens (allergies) or other airway irritants such as:Â
- Tree pollen
- Weed
- Dust mites
- Sulfur dioxide (a preservative typically found in drinks and dried fruit)Â
- Grass
- Medications such as beta-blockers, anti-inflammatories, aspirin, glaucoma eye dropsÂ
- Exercise in cold weather
- Laughter, anxiety, angerÂ
- Cigarette smoke, car exhaust fumes
- Domestic pets (dogs, cats, horses, birds)Â
More than 24 million people in the United States experience asthma at some point in their lives, including over 6 million children.
Symptoms commonly associated with asthma:Â
- Wheezing
- Coughing (typically a dry cough)Â
- Shortness of breath
- Increased heart rate
- Tightening of chestÂ
Allergic Asthma Testing
Respiratory symptoms associated with asthma may require skin tests to determine what inhalant allergens may be affecting your allergic asthma.Â
- Skin Prick Test: During this quick, easy, and virtually pain free test one of our top notch board certified asthma specialist doctors mark your arm in pen with an assortment of numbers that correspond to a particular inhalant allergen. A drop of each inhalant allergen is carefully placed next to its assigned number and a lancet is used to painlessly place the allergen just under the top layer of the patient’s skin. After 10-15 minutes, the skin is evaluated by one of our top rated immunologists for any inflammation or itchiness (which indicates the patient may be allergic to the sampled inhalant allergen), the affected areas are measured, and anti-itch cream is applied to the tested skin.Â
- Specific IgE (immunoglobulin-E) Blood Test: This method involves the extraction of a small amount of blood from a patient that may suffer from an inhalant allergy. The blood sample is sent to a lab to identify and measure the patient’s level of IgE antibodies to the presumed inhalant allergen. This immuno-diagnostic test allows our top notch team of board certified allergy specialist doctors to provide patients with a detailed overview of any detected antibodies that suggest an individual suffers from an inhalant allergy.
- Skin Patch Test: This treatment is easy and virtually painless. One of our top rated immunologists applies a sample of an inhalant allergen beneath the patient’s top layer of skin under a “Finn chamber†(a skin patch that protects the affected area from external elements). The patient’s skin is evaluated between 48-72 hours after application to determine the presence of any inhalant allergies.
Allergic Asthma Treatment
- Asthma Preventers: This type of treatment consists of inhaled steroid medication that helps prevent allergic asthma flare-ups. This inhaled steroid medication usually comes in the following colors: red, orange, brown, or purple. Preventers reduce any swelling or redness in the airways and dry up mucus to remove any blockage that could cause respiratory symptoms associated with allergic asthma. Commonly prescribed asthma preventers include Budesonide, Beclometasone, Mometasone, Ciclesonide, and Fluticasone. If you suffer from allergic asthma, your top rated asthma specialist doctor may prescribe you an inhaled steroid medication as an asthma preventer. It is crucial that those who suffer from asthma carry both a preventer and reliever with them at all times.Â
- Asthma Relievers: This treatment is utilized in the event that an asthmatic individual experiences an asthma attack or allergic asthma flare-up due to inhalant allergen exposure. An asthma reliever comes in the form of an inhaled steroid medication (like a preventer) but provides immediate relief by relaxing the airway muscles, so it is easier to breathe. A reliever should be carried with you at all times, as it can save your life in the event of an unexpected allergic asthma attack. Â
The sooner you schedule an appointment, the sooner you can experience relief!
Allergy & Asthma Center of Long Island
9 Center Drive, Roslyn, NY 11576
(516) 699-7790