What is Asthma Care?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to breathing difficulties, wheezing, chest tightness, and coughing. Asthma care involves comprehensive diagnosis, ongoing management, and treatment of this condition to help you breathe easier and live an active, unrestricted life. Our primary care practice provides complete asthma services, including diagnostic testing, medication management, development of personalized asthma action plans, and in-office nebulizer treatments for acute symptoms. Whether you're newly diagnosed or have been managing asthma for years, proper medical care ensures your condition remains well-controlled and doesn't limit your daily activities.
Why is it Important?
Effective asthma management is essential for both immediate symptom relief and long-term lung health. Uncontrolled asthma can lead to frequent emergency room visits, hospitalizations, permanent airway damage, and in severe cases, life-threatening asthma attacks. Beyond these serious concerns, poorly managed asthma interferes with sleep, limits physical activity, causes missed days from work or school, and significantly diminishes quality of life. Regular asthma care helps prevent these complications by keeping inflammation under control, reducing the frequency and severity of asthma attacks, and helping you recognize early warning signs before symptoms become severe. With proper treatment and monitoring, most people with asthma can participate fully in sports, exercise, and all normal activities. Your provider will also help identify and avoid your specific asthma triggers, whether they're allergens, exercise, cold air, stress, or respiratory infections.
What to Expect
Initial asthma diagnosis typically involves a detailed discussion of your symptoms, medical history, and potential triggers, followed by lung function testing called spirometry that measures how well you breathe. Your provider may also order allergy testing to identify triggers and chest X-rays to rule out other conditions. Once diagnosed, you'll receive a personalized asthma action plan that outlines your daily medications, how to recognize worsening symptoms, and what steps to take during an asthma attack. Most asthma treatment involves two types of medications: long-term control medications (usually inhaled corticosteroids) that reduce airway inflammation and prevent symptoms, and quick-relief rescue inhalers that rapidly open airways during acute symptoms. For severe asthma attacks or exacerbations, we offer in-office nebulizer treatments that deliver medication as a fine mist, providing faster and more effective relief than standard inhalers. Follow-up appointments allow your provider to assess how well your asthma is controlled, adjust medications as needed, review your inhaler technique, and update your action plan based on seasonal changes or evolving triggers.
How to Prepare
Before your asthma appointment, keep a symptom diary noting when breathing difficulties occur, what you were doing at the time, how often you need your rescue inhaler, and whether symptoms wake you at night. Bring all your asthma medications and inhalers to your appointment so your provider can review them and observe your inhaler technique. Make a list of known or suspected triggers such as pets, pollen, exercise, smoke, or certain weather conditions. If you've had previous lung function tests or asthma-related emergency visits, bring those records if available. Be prepared to discuss how asthma affects your daily life, including any activities you avoid due to breathing problems.
Have questions about asthma care? Contact Advanced Cardiovascular Specialists & Primary Care at (203) 334-2100 to schedule your appointment.
