Monthly Archives: October 2014
Asthma Doctor NYC
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung condition, which causes inflammation and narrowing of the airways. The condition is very common and often starts in childhood. Although asthma is chronic, the frequency of attacks and severity of symptoms can vary greatly.
Causes of Asthma
Asthma symptoms often occur due to an allergic reaction. Why some people develop allergies to certain substances in not fully understood. Risk factors for developing asthma include having certain respiratory infections as a young child and being exposed to lung irritates, such as cigarette smoke, early in life. The condition also appears to run in families. If you have a parent who has asthma, you also have an increased risk of developing the condition.
Symptoms of Asthma
Symptoms of asthma include wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. Increased mucus production and chest tightness may also develop. Symptoms may vary from mild to life threatening. In severe cases, the airways become so tight it is difficult to get air in and out of the lungs.
Asthma Treatment
One reason to see an asthma doctor is to develop a comprehensive treatment plan. A comprehensive treatment plan will involve education on identifying and reducing attack triggers. Triggers are often allergens, such as mold or dust.
Your asthma doctor may also teach you how to use a peak flow meter. A peak flow meter is used to measure the amount of air you can blow out of your lungs. It is one tool which you can use daily to assess your breathing and symptoms.
In addition to developing ways to avoid asthma triggers, medications are often used to treat asthma. Medication will include fast-acting rescue medications, which are taken as soon as symptoms develop. During an attack, the airways become tight or narrow. Medication, such as bronchodilators, work quickly by relaxing the muscles of the airways. When the muscles are relaxed, they open and breathing is easier.
Another class of medications called steroids may also be used to treat asthma. Steroids work by decreasing inflammation in the lungs. Steroids may be prescribed to treat asthma attacks and prevent future symptoms.
Asthma symptoms can lead to missed work and school, feeling miserable and can even be life threatening in some cases. But it is possible to develop an effective treatment plan to manage symptoms and reduce flare-ups.
Call Dr. Boyan Hadjiev, one of NYC’s best allergy and asthma doctors and get started on the path to wellness.
Allergy Testing
If you have symptoms of an allergic reaction, such as itchy eyes, sneezing, wheezing or hives, your doctor may recommend you undergo allergy testing. Different, substances known as allergens, may trigger an allergic reaction, which can lead to a variety of symptoms. Although some people may suspect they have allergies or guess what they are allergic to, allergy testing is the best way to determine the culprit.
What is Involved in Allergy Testing?
Once you see an allergist and have your allergies properly diagnosed, you can be treated more effectively and have symptoms controlled. On your first appointment with an allergy doctor, a physical exam will be performed, and a medical history taken. The allergist may then suggest certain types of allergy tests in order to confirm the diagnosis. Allergy tests are considered safe for people of all ages including young children.
Types of Allergy Tests
An allergist may recommend a few different types of allergy tests depending on a person’s symptoms. IgE skin tests are one of the most common types of allergy tests performed. An IgE skin test involves introducing a very small amount of a suspected allergen into the skin through a needle. If a person is allergic to the substance injected, slight swelling, itching or a hive at the site of the skin prick will develop. The allergic reaction is usually localized and confined to the spot of the skin prick and resolves in less than an hour. In many instances, IgE skin tests can be performed in the allergist’s office.
In addition to the skin test, challenge tests may also be recommended. Challenge tests involved ingesting or inhaling a small amount of a suspected allergen. This type of allergy testing is usually done when a medication or food allergy is suspected. Challenge testing should always be carefully supervised by an allergist to monitor the patient for a severe allergic reaction.
Blood tests may also be done to help confirm a diagnosis. Blood tests may especially be helpful if other types of allergy tests are unable to be performed or are considered unsafe.
Allergy tests are generally painless, and results are often quick. Determining what you are allergic to can start you on the road to getting the right treatment and feeling better. Call 212- 679-1200 today in order to schedule an appointment with the best allergy doctor in New York City.
Serving all of New York City and the Tri State Area including Zip Codes: Top Allergist NYC Midtown, Chelsea and Clinton: 10001, 10011, 10018, 10019, 10020, 10036 | Gramercy Park and Murray Hill: 10010, 10016, 10017, 10022 | Greenwich Village and Soho: 10012, 10013, 10014 | Lower Manhattan: 10004, 10005, 10006, 10007, 10038, 10280 | Lower East Side: 10002, 10003, 10009 | Upper East Side: 10021, 10028, 10044, 10128 | Upper West Side: 10023, 10024, 10025
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