Saturday, October 15, 2022
HomeNewsWhat Is An Asthma Specialist

What Is An Asthma Specialist

What To Expect From An Allergy And Asthma Specialist Appointment

What is asthma & how does COVID-19 affect it?

When you schedule your appointment with your allergy and asthma doctor, your primary care doctor will likely send your medical records. You will also need to fill out forms for the allergy and asthma specialist that you are seeing.

At your first appointment, your specialist may perform a physical exam, which will likely include listening to your lungs and heart. Your doctor may also have questions about your medical history and the symptoms you are experiencing.

Your allergy and asthma specialist will also order different diagnostics tests depending on what your primary symptoms involve. A few of the tests that might be ordered include:

Pulmonary Function Test

A PFT involves a series of breathing tests that measure how well your lungs function. It can help diagnose asthma.

Blood Tests

Various blood tests may be performed including an arterial blood gas, which measures the carbon dioxide and oxygen level in your blood. It helps determine the efficiency of the gas exchange within your lungs.

Allergy Tests

Allergy tests involve injecting tiny amounts of different allergens into your skin to determine what substances you are allergic to.

Friends Family And Co

One of the best ways to learn about helpful and reliable asthma doctors is through personal recommendations from people you know and trust not only are they more likely to be located in the area in which you live, but you can also approach them with the confidence of someone whose parent, friend or colleague received beneficial care and treatment with that doctor. You can ask around your social and family circles for advice, but also be prepared with several criteria to specify what you are looking for: for example, let people know that you want a doctor who specializes in working with kids, for example.

So what goes into knowing how to find a doctor for your asthma? First, there are some factors that you need to consider.

You May Like: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Cough

Asthma Specialist Indianapolis In

Our board certified asthma specialist in Indianapolis IN can help you with all of your asthma-related needs. Our specialists can also help patients with an immune deficiency, sinusitis, or vasomotor rhinitis.

Two types of asthma specialist in Indianapolis IN:

  • Allergist/Immunologist specially trained in treating allergic diseases including asthma.
  • Pulmonologist specializes in diseases affecting the lungs and breathing including asthma.

While anyone with asthma may benefit from seeing an asthma specialist in Indianapolis IN, it may only be really necessary for someone with severe, difficult-to-control asthma. An asthma specialist may be a good idea for someone who:

  • Is unable to control their asthma after a few months of treatment and has been hospitalized for asthma
  • Has other health conditions in addition to asthma
  • Has life-threatening asthma attacks
  • Is experiencing unusual asthma symptoms
  • Might be a good candidate for immunotherapy

If youve been trying to manage asthma for months without relief of symptoms, an asthma specialist in Indianapolis IN may offer more insight and better management options to keep your asthma under control.

Also Check: Does Weed Affect Asthma

After An Asthma Attack

You should see a GP or asthma nurse within 48 hours of leaving hospital, or ideally on the same day if you did not need hospital treatment.

About 1 in 6 people treated in hospital for an asthma attack need hospital care again within 2 weeks, so its important to discuss how you can reduce your risk of future attacks.

Talk to a doctor or nurse about any changes that may need to be made to manage your condition safely.

For example, the dose of your treatment may need to be adjusted or you may need to be shown how to use your inhaler correctly.

What About Diagnosing & Treating Asthmatic Children

What is a Pulmonologist? (with pictures)

Many people find it interesting when they learn that children under 5 cannot be officially declared asthmatic. However, there are both allergists and pulmonologists that specialize in pediatric care. They will know what to look for when diagnosing asthma in children.

What is Aluna?

Aluna is an innovative, scientifically-accurate, and portable spirometer cleared by the FDA.

This device and management program is designed to help adults and children, 5 years and up, monitor their lung function and take control of their respiratory health.

Aluna automatically tracks your FEV1% over time. You can also monitor your symptoms, medication, exercise, and environmental factors.

With the Aluna app, you can easily

Aluna is seeking to shed light on asthma and other lung diseases by providing accurate and reliable data for healthcare providers and patients.

Be sure to ask your healthcare professional about Aluna and how this device can benefit you.

Read Also: What’s An Asthma Attack Feel Like

Choosing An Asthma Specialist: Points To Consider

When considering an asthma specialist, you should think about which types of asthma specialists have the skills and experience that best fits your needs, including your age, type of asthma, and medical history.

In some cases, you may need more than one specialist to manage your asthma. For example, if trigger your childs asthma symptoms, you may want your child to see a pediatrician and an .

How Is Asthma Treated

After diagnosing asthma, your Good Neighbor Clinic provider develops a treatment plan that includes:

Identifying and avoiding triggers

Your provider helps you determine what triggers your asthma attacks and recommends ways to avoid that substance.

Quick-relief medicine

You receive a prescription for an inhaler that contains quick-acting medicine to rapidly open airways.

Long-term asthma control medications

Daily medications to prevent asthma attacks and reduce the severity of your symptoms when a flare-up occurs may be needed

If you have trouble breathing, experience coughing or wheezing, call the Good Neighbor Clinic for an asthma exam or request an appointment online today.

Read Also: What’s An Asthma Attack Feel Like

What Are The Different Types Of Delivery Devices For Asthma Medicines

You take most asthma medicines by breathing them in using an inhaler or nebulizer. An inhaler or nebulizer allows the medicine to go directly to your lungs. But some asthma medicines are in pill form, infusion form, or injectable form.

Inhalers

There are four types of asthma inhaler devices that deliver medicine: metered dose inhalers , dry powder inhalers , breath actuated inhalers, and soft mist inhalers.

  • Metered dose inhalers have medicine plus a propellant. The propellant sprays the medicine out of the inhaler in a short burst.
  • Dry powder inhalers do not have a propellant and do not spray the medicine out of the inhaler. The medicine is released from the inhaler when you breathe it in.
  • Breath actuated inhalers have a dry powder or aerosol medicine. The medicine does not spray out of the inhaler. The medicine is released from the inhaler when you breathe it in.
  • Soft mist inhalers do not have propellant, but they do spray the medicine out of the inhaler. They create a cloud of medicine that sprays out softly.

Different types of asthma devices

For inhalers to work well, you must use them correctly. But 70 to 90% of people who use inhalers make at least one mistake when using their inhaler.1 Inhaler mistakes can lead to uncontrolled asthma. Ask your doctor or nurse to watch you use your inhaler to make sure you are using it correctly.

Spacers and valved holding chambers

When Should Patients See An Allergy/asthma Specialist

What is asthma?

Fall ragweed season has kept area allergy sufferers sneezing and rubbing their eyes since mid-August.

Allergy is a four-season disease inflicting high morbidity and underappreciated by patients and providers alike, says Philip Halverson, MD, Allergy and Asthma Specialists. Ragweed, the fiercest culprit, joins a host of other offenders including tree and grass pollen, mold spores, dust mites and pets.

This disease doesnt get the respect it deserves.

Halverson says specialists can help manage chronic conditions where allergy is not always identified, such as rhinosinusitis, conjunctivitis, asthma, cough, urticaria/ angioedema, eczema and anaphylaxis.

Primary care physicians have referred to specialists for years, often using their own guidelines, according to David Brockway, MD, Richfield Medical Group.

If someone has allergic issues or allergy symptoms more than three months out of the year and doesnt respond to antihistamines, steroid nasal sprays or a non-steroid leukotriene inhibitor like Singulair®, I will refer to a specialist, Brockway says.

Cherie Zachary, MD, Midwest ENT Specialists, recommends that primary care providers refer when the patient experiences one or more urgent care or emergency visits for asthma or is hospitalized. She also wants to see patients who take moderate to high doses of inhaled steroids or oral prednisone more than once a year.

Allergists offer services including:

Don’t Miss: Non Waiverable Medical Conditions Army

The Role Of The Pulmonologist In Copd

Seeing a pulmonologist may be necessary if you have a more complicated case of COPD. For example, your primary care provider may refer you to a pulmonologist if youre not responding well to COPD treatment, youre hospitalized for COPD exacerbation or your disease has reached a more advanced stage of COPD.

A pulmonologist may order a different combination of medications or special treatments for you. To better-assess your condition or implement diagnostic studies, they can also perform a bronchoscopy using a flexible scope to look down your airway and inside your lungs. A pulmonologist may also have a staff that is very much geared for the lung patient that a primary care provider may not have or be able to afford in their office. A pulmonologist may also be used to reinforce what the primary care provider has already initiated, especially the importance of smoking cessation in a patient who continues to smoke.

Are There Different Types Of Asthma

There are several different types of asthma, and they should be diagnosed by one of our asthma specialists in Houston.

  • Seasonal asthma can be triggered by allergic reactions to allergens such as trees, grasses, or weeds.
  • Allergic asthma is triggered by allergic reactions to allergens such as pet dander, dust or dust mites, mold, or pollen.
  • Non-allergic asthma is triggered by irritants in the air that you breathe such as tobacco smoke, wood smoke, room deodorizers, fresh paint, and perfume.
  • Exercise-induced asthma is triggered during physical activities.
  • Nocturnal asthma is triggered by exercise or physical activity.

To learn more information about our asthma treatments in Houston, Texas, contact us to book your appointment.

Recommended Reading: Is It True That Chihuahuas Cure Asthma

The Severity Of Your Asthma

If you have a lower level of severity in your asthma, you may not need to look for a specialized asthma doctor, but simply someone who will be able to prescribe medication and help you learn how to manage your symptoms. However, if your asthma is more severe and interferes with your ability to live your daily life, you may want to turn to a specialist that will be able to help with particularly severe forms of asthma.

Your Family Practice Physician Or Pediatrician

Asthma Medication Information

One of the best places to start looking for asthma doctors is with your primary care physician . Thats because he or she has numerous connections with specialists in your area, and will be able to recommend you to someone that can offer treatment. Even better, your physician or family doctor has experience with your medical history and understands the specifics of your condition, especially if you have other illnesses that need to be considered when treating your asthma as a result, your recommended doctor will be even more personalized.

Recommended Reading: Nebulizer Uses & Side Effects

How Do I Get A Referral To A Pulmonologist

You dont have to wait for your primary care provider to refer you to a pulmonary specialist. If you feel you need one, you can self-refer, if you have PPO insurance, or you can request a referral from your primary care provider. If your primary care provider doesnt want to give you a referral, speak to your health insurance company as it is within your rights to see a specialist if you have reason to believe you need one.

Recommended Reading: Can Asthma Come At Any Age

What Should I Do If I Think Im Having An Asthma Attack

Stay calm and use your inhaler with the spacer. If you can, check your peak flow to see how bad the attack is. If you have a nebulizer, use this instead of an inhaler. If your breathing gets easier after using your medicine, you may still want to call your doctor to discuss follow-up or other treatments. Make sure your family knows what to do if you have an asthma attack.

Don’t Miss: Treat Asthma Without Inhaler

Your Primary Care Provider

Your primary care doctor or provider is the leader of your personal healthcare team. PCPs who treat asthma frequently include:

  • Pediatricians
  • Combined internal medicine and pediatrics doctors
  • Family practitioners

Pediatric or family medicine nurse practitioners are also generally considered under the primary care umbrella.

For the many reasons listed above, a specialist is often the best provider to manage your asthma. However, there are some pros of seeing a PCP that are of a more practical nature and worth noting:

  • Familiarity: Since you see your PCP for general health as well as acute illnesses and injuries, you’ve probably gotten to know each other fairly well. They may be able to spot lifestyle risk factors or changes in your health that may affect your asthma.
  • Convenience: Your PCP can track your asthma progress when they see you for other problems or check-ups, which is probably more frequently than you see a specialist.
  • Affordability: PCPs are almost always less expensive than specialists.
  • Accessibility: In some areas, it may be far easier to get to a primary care doctor than an asthma specialist. It also may take less time to get an appointment.

Asthma Specialist Work Environment

What is Asthma?

Asthma specialists typically work in clinics or their own private practices. They are also found in hospitals, healthcare organizations and other healthcare settings. If doctors working in their private clinics have patients who are confined in hospitals, they may need to travel from their clinic to the hospital to do their rounds and monitor the condition of their patients. The work is typically done fulltime during regular hours. However, its common for doctors who work in large hospitals to work at night, during weekends or on holidays since these operate 24 hours a day. If they are on call then they must respond to calls from the hospital to be there whenever they are needed by a patient.

Also Check: Whats An Asthma Attack

Asthma Specialist Career Outlook

The career outlook of doctors and surgeons, the broader occupational category where asthma specialists belong to, is set to be very bright for the next few years. The U.S. Bureau of Labor Statistics revealed that the employment rate is set to rise 18 percent, a rate that is faster than the average for all job types. The demand will come from the growth of the elderly population who will require more medical care as well as the continued expansion of the industries related to healthcare. More job opportunities await those who are willing to practice in rural and low-income communities.

Donât Miss: Is Asthma Allergy Related

Choosing The Right Asthma Specialist

Asthma is a condition that impacts a lot of different people. It is essentially a long-term lung disease. It can often be referred to by medical specialists as chronic respiratory disease. It can also be called bronchial asthma Classic symptoms of asthma are chest tightness, shortness of breath, wheezing and coughing. For those with severe asthma, it can be hard to be active and sometimes even hard to speak. If you have asthma or suspect that you may have this condition, it is important to see a specialist so that you can get the treatment you need. With that being said, continue reading to discover how to find the best asthma specialist for your needs.

There is no denying that the best place to find any type of medical specialist today is on the Internet. After all, this is where most people begin their search for any sort of service or individual. You can begin by taking a look at the website of the asthma specialist so that you can understand the level of experience that he or she has.

The Internet is also a great place for finding the right asthma specialist for you because you will be able to read reviews that have been left by other people. This can give you a great insight into how effective the asthma specialist is and what sort of person they are. You are always recommended to use independent review websites because you can be sure that the comments are genuine.

Read Also: Are Chihuahuas Good For Asthma

Find An Asthma Specialist Near You

The information provided is for informational purposes only and is not meant to replace your doctor’s medical advice or information from your plan about preferred doctors.

You may search by ZIP code. Any information you provide is used solely to help you find a physician. It will not be disclosed to third parties. Please note: This list is pulled from a publicly available nationwide database of doctors who have indicated their specialty. While it is updated regularly, this list may not have the latest provider information and results shown may not reflect all of the asthma specialists in your area.

Inclusion of a physician is not and does not imply a referral, an endorsement, or a recommendation by GSK. Doctors included in this list have not endorsed GSK or any of its products. Participation by physicians in payer networks may vary. You should verify a physician’s participation/acceptance of your health insurance. Users of this website are solely responsible for communications and interactions with any of the listed physicians, and any information users send them is not governed by our Legal Notice and Privacy Policy. Users are responsible for compliance with state and federal laws regulating physician referrals, such as anti-kickback laws, the Stark Law, or state professional practice restrictions.

How Do I Know If I Need To See The Allergist Or Ent

Eosinophilic Asthma: Treatment, Symptoms, and Diagnosis

ENTs are highly proficient surgeons who specialize in structural disorders of the ears, nose, and throat such as head and neck tumors, facial reconstruction and plastic surgery, chronic sinusitis, deviated septum, hearing impairment, and dizziness/balance problems. Board-certified Allergists optimize control of nasal and sinus problems though nonsurgical means. ENTs and Allergists commonly work together to treat conditions where allergies are causing problems in the ears, nose, sinuses and throat regions. ENTs often refer patients to Allergists when surgery is not indicated. Likewise, Allergists will refer patients to ENTs for surgical options when medications and allergen avoidance are not adequately controlling symptoms.

Recommended Reading: How To Get Rid Of Asthma Without Inhaler

RELATED ARTICLES

Most Popular