Beyond the Bottle: What You Need to Know About Antihistamines
You might reach for an antihistamine without much thought, especially during allergy season. But there’s much more to learn than what’s on the bottle.
Is Asthma Curable?
Nearly 28 million people in the United States have asthma. For a lot of people, it can be controlled so well that symptoms barely show up. So what’s going on behind the scenes?
Asthma is a chronic condition that can cause your airways to tighten, swell, and overreact to triggers like allergens, exercise, or even cold air. While there’s no one-and-done cure (yet), modern treatments have gotten very good at calming bothersome symptoms. Asthma can also be well-managed through symptom control, consistent habits, and knowing what works best for your body.
See below for the best ways to manage symptoms, and then visit Srinagesh Paluvoi, MD, FAAP, FACAAI, and our team at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates in Lansdowne or Gainesville, Virginia, for a personalized asthma treatment plan.
5 ways to manage asthma symptoms
Here are a few simple ways to best manage asthma symptoms or keep them at bay:
1. Trigger avoidance
Aim to avoid asthma flare-up triggers to minimize your symptoms. Examples of triggers can include smoke, chemical fumes, dust, gases, pet dander, mold spores, pollen, exercise, stress, strong smells, and cold weather. Avoid smoking and vaping, as they can also trigger flare-ups.
2. An inhaler
Inhalers containing steroids lessen inflammation, bronchodilators help keep airways open, and combinations of inhaled medications can ease difficult breathing and other serious asthma complications. At Allergy & Asthma Affiliates, Dr. Paluvoi can prescribe an inhaler that’s best suited for you.
3. Oral medication
Dr. Paluvoi can also prescribe a pill you take regularly to minimize asthma symptoms and lessen your chance of having an asthma attack.
4. Allergy treatment
If your allergies worsen asthma symptoms, allergy treatments (pills, nasal sprays, allergy shots, etc.) can help offer lasting relief.
5. Biologic therapy
You might receive biologic therapy, such as monoclonal antibodies given intravenously (by IV) or an injection, to ease severe asthma symptoms. These antibodies help strengthen your immune system and reduce inflammation.
Which asthma treatment plan is best for me?
Dr. Paluvoi discusses your symptoms and medical history to determine if you have asthma, allergies, or both, and creates a personalized treatment.
Allergy & Asthma Affiliates offers blood tests and other types of allergy testing, including tests that detect chemical allergies, food allergies, and more. Dr. Paluvoi uses breathing tests to screen for asthma and learn its severity, allowing him to perfect your treatment plan.
While there’s no cure for asthma, Dr. Paluvoi at Allergy & Asthma Affiliates can help you minimize or eliminate difficult breathing and other crippling symptoms. For a customized plan, contact our office by phone or book an appointment online today.
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