INDUSTRY INSIGHT
YOUR HEALTH
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Asthma
Asthma
Written by Emily King
Written by Emily King
W
W
hen people think of asthma, they often think
hen of people
think of asthma,
often
think
it as a childhood
disease. they
Most
childhood
and the symptoms
such as
wheezing,
of it asthma,
as a childhood
disease. Most
childhood
cough, and
chest
and such
shortness
of breath
asthma,
the tightness
symptoms
as wheezing,
improve
by tightness
early adulthood.
However, of
asthma
cough,
chest
and shortness
breath
can occur
in adults
as well. However,
Many of them
improve
by early
adulthood.
asthma
have had symptoms in
childhood,
were
can
occur in but
adults
as never
well. properly
Many of diagnosed.
them
can also
start after the
of 20,
which
is categorized
as
have Symptoms
had symptoms
in childhood,
but age
were
never
properly
diagnosed.
adult-onset
According
Dr. of Sperry
of Washington
Health as
Symptoms
can asthma.
also start
after the to
age
20, which
is categorized
System, asthma.
millions of
adults (up to
to Dr.
5-10%)
experience
asthma Health
symptoms.
adult-onset
According
Sperry
of Washington
System, millions of adults (up to 5-10%) experience asthma symptoms.
Asthma is a disease caused by narrowing of the airways of the lungs.
This can occur due to inflammation or allergic reaction. Narrowing
Asthma
is a due
disease
caused by of narrowing
of surrounding
the airways the
of the
lungs.
occurs
to contractions
the muscles
airways.
This Asthma
can occur
due
to
inflammation
or
allergic
reaction.
Narrowing
sufferers may also produce large amounts of mucus that is
occurs
due than
to contractions
of the muscles surrounding the airways.
thicker
normal.
Asthma sufferers may also produce large amounts of mucus that is
thicker
than
There
are normal.
several factors that increase the risk of adult asthma. The
most common risk factors include a family history of asthma or frequent
There
are several
factors
that
increase
the
risk of include
adult asthma.
The
allergic
reactions.
Other
less
common
factors
obesity, acid
smoking
occupational
Women
are twice
as likely
most reflux,
common
risk and
factors
include a exposures.
family history
of asthma
or frequent
to be
diagnosed
with less
adult common
asthma as factors
men are.
allergic
reactions.
Other
include obesity, acid
reflux, smoking and occupational exposures. Women are twice as likely
are also with
environmental
exposures
to be There
diagnosed
adult asthma
as men that
are. can worsen asthma
symptoms: these are called triggers. Common triggers include inhaled
allergens
as pet dander,
pollen, mold
Sperry notes
There
are also such
environmental
exposures
that and
can mildew.
worsen Dr.
asthma
that
he
always
asks
about
dust
mites
and
cockroaches
in
the
as
symptoms: these are called triggers. Common triggers include home,
inhaled
these such
are two
the dander,
most common
causes
of mildew.
year-round
and
allergens
as of
pet
pollen, mold
and
Dr. allergies
Sperry notes
If there are any allergy symptoms, he often advises his patients
that asthma.
he always
asks about dust mites and cockroaches in the home, as
to get additional testing from an allergy specialist.
these are two of the most common causes of year-round allergies and
asthma. If there are any allergy symptoms, he often advises his patients
to get additional testing from an allergy specialist.
Unfortunately, a common environmental trigger in Western Pennsylvania
Unfortunately,
a common
environmental
trigger
Western to Pennsylvania
is
air pollution. Asthma
sufferers
are advised
to pay in attention
air
quality
alerts and Asthma
take special
precautions
on these
days.
is air pollution.
sufferers
are advised
to pay
attention to air
quality alerts and take special precautions on these days.
Other triggers include cold air, humidity, smoke and some cleaning
products.
Avoiding
asthma
is the cornerstone
controlling
Other triggers
include
cold triggers
air, humidity,
smoke and of some
cleaning
asthma
symptoms.
products.
Avoiding asthma triggers is the cornerstone of controlling
asthma symptoms.
Most of the time, asthma is diagnosed based on the patient’s symptoms
and
Dr. asthma
Sperry can
conduct pulmonary
testing symptoms
Most exposures.
of the time,
is diagnosed
based on function
the patient’s
before and after receiving an inhaled irritant or a medication that opens
and exposures. Dr. Sperry can conduct pulmonary function testing
the airways. Sometimes he also conducts allergy testing. If a patient is
before and with
after more
receiving
an inhaled
or a medication
that to
opens
diagnosed
advanced
asthma, irritant
Dr. Sperry
asks the patient
the airways.
he also
conducts
allergy
testing.
If a patient
perform
“peak Sometimes
flow monitoring”
at home
in order
to track
the severity
of is
diagnosed
with
more
advanced
asthma,
Dr.
Sperry
asks
the
patient
to
symptoms.
perform “peak flow monitoring” at home in order to track the severity of
symptoms.
Adult
asthma isn’t a curable condition, but it can be very well managed
with proper treatment and education. Learning how to recognize
Adult asthma
isn’t and
a curable
condition,
but way
it can
very
well managed
individual
triggers
symptoms
is the best
to be
avoid
asthma
with proper treatment
Learning how
to recognize
exacerbations.
There are and
also education.
several medications
that can
be utilized,
of
which Albuterol
probably
the most
well-known.
Patients
use
individual
triggers is and
symptoms
is the
best way to
avoid can
asthma
short-acting
inhalers
experiencing
asthma symptoms
as well
as
exacerbations.
There when
are also
several medications
that can
be utilized,
long-acting
inhalers is
that
can prevent
symptoms.
These Patients
medications
of which Albuterol
probably
the most
well-known.
can use
can
be used in
conjunction
allergy-control
medications.
It is as well as
short-acting
inhalers
when with
experiencing
asthma
symptoms
also
important
that asthma
sufferers
receive
regular These
influenza
and
long-acting
inhalers
that can
prevent
symptoms.
medications
pneumococcal
can be used in vaccinations.
conjunction with allergy-control medications. It is
also important that asthma sufferers receive regular influenza and
If
you think you vaccinations.
are suffering from the symptoms of adult asthma,
pneumococcal
contact WHS Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery at (724) 222-2577.
If you think you are suffering from the symptoms of adult asthma,
contact WHS Pulmonology and Thoracic Surgery at (724) 222-2577.
Providing comprehensive care for a wide range of respiratory
disorders, including: asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, black
lung, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer.
Office locations in Washington,
Waynesburg and McMurray.
Office locations in Washington,
Waynesburg and McMurray.
Providing comprehensive care for a wide range of respiratory
disorders, including: asthma, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, black
lung, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension, and lung cancer.
Accepting New Patients
To schedule, please call (724) 222-2577.
Accepting New Patients
To schedule, please call (724) 222-2577.
PETERS TOWNSHIP
❘
JUNE/JULY 2019
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