Asthma is a chronic, inflammatory condition that can be mild or life-threatening, affecting the lower airways. Symptoms include:
Given that there are a variety of symptoms, this also means that there is a wide range of triggers as well. Consulting with your physician to learn how to cope with your asthma symptoms and triggers can make living with asthma and allergy-related conditions drastically more manageable.
Asthma usually begins during childhood but can start at any age. Risk for asthma increases if there is a history of eczema/allergies, certain childhood viral infections, or family history of asthma. 80% of children and 60% of adults who have asthma also have allergies that can trigger attacks. Managing a person’s allergies can drastically reduce asthma attacks.
Asthma can be triggered by many things. Common triggers are:
Seasonal allergens such as grass, tree, and weed pollen can be responsible. Iowa has many pollinating plants outside of winter. Pollen is lightweight and can travel on the wind up to hundreds of miles and cause problems, even if you live in the city.
Indoor allergens can be responsible. Iowa winters prolong time indoors, maximizing allergen exposure. Common indoor allergens include:
There are many ways to approach treating someone with asthma. Just like there are many symptoms, there are also a variety of treatment options. Here at Iowa Allergy, our physicians use a multidisciplinary approach:
Interested in learning more about how to test for asthma, discussing your symptoms with our team, or seeking out treatment? We would love to sit down with you and learn more about what prompted you to seek out asthma treatment, how your allergies and/or asthma impacts your lifestyle, and what we can do to help you attain the life that you want, without being impacted by your asthma.
Need to see a doctor right away? Fill out the form and let us know your preferred date and time. Or call us at 515-410-9400. We make every attempt to be as responsive to your scheduling needs as possible. Once we hear from you, one of our staff members will contact you promptly to confirm the date.