Asthma

Asthma is often defined by recurrent episodes of reversible airflow obstruction.

Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disorder involving the airways. Symptoms are usually coughing, wheezing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath. Because Asthma is a syndrome there are many clinical variations and levels of severity. Some people may suffer from severe acute episodes of shortness of breath requiring emergency treatment. Others may only experience a nagging cough. Allergists are asthma specialists and have shown to provide better outcomes at lower cost because of:

• Fewer emergency care visits
• Fewer hospitalizations
• Reduced lengths of hospital stays
• Fewer sick care office visits
• Fewer days missed from work or school
• Increased productivity in their work and personal lives
• Greater satisfaction with their care
• An improved quality of life

Dr. Humphreys Can Help:

We offer a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan for patients with known or suspected asthma. It is important to make an accurate diagnosis.

Initial evaluation involves a comprehensive history and objective measures of lung function. Frequent triggers of asthma include allergens and upper respiratory infections. It is important to identify potential triggers for each individual. Following the identification of specific triggers, we can recommend specific environmental control and avoidance measures for each individual. Appropriate environmental control measures have been shown to reduce symptoms and need for medications. The goal of a comprehensive evaluation and treatment plan is to allow normal function/lifestyle with the least amount of medications.