Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disorder that causes your airways to swell and produce extra mucus. When asthma flares up, you wheeze, cough, and have difficulty breathing.

Asthma varies in severity. For some people, it’s a minor annoyance that’s worse during exercise. For others, it results in an asthma attack or potentially life-threatening shortness of breath. There’s no cure for asthma, but you can keep your symptoms in check with a combination of healthy lifestyle changes and medication. 

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Chest pain
• Wheezing
• Trouble sleeping
• Coughing attacks

If you have asthma, you might also notice that your symptoms worsen during exercise or other physically demanding activities. 

When should I see an urgent care specialist about asthma?

Make an appointment at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center if you experience shortness of breath when doing minimal physical activity, like climbing a set of stairs or taking your dog on a walk. That’s especially true if your symptoms occur alongside frequent coughing or wheezing. The sooner you receive treatment, the less likely you are to experience permanent lung damage.

Who is at risk of experiencing asthma?

Several factors increase your risk of asthma, including:

• Having a family member with asthma
• Having an allergic condition, like atopic dermatitis
• Smoking
• Working around toxic fumes or other types of pollution

You’re also more likely to experience asthma if you’re overweight. 

How is asthma diagnosed?

Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center diagnoses asthma during an in-office visit.

Your provider reviews your medical records and asks about your symptoms, including when they first started and if they’re worse during certain activities like work or exercise. 

Next, your provider conducts a physical exam. They listen to your heart and respiratory rate and conduct respiratory tests, including spirometry. Spirometry measures how much air you exhale after a deep breath and how fast you breathe out. 

If these steps don’t confirm a diagnosis, your provider might order additional tests, like allergy testing or chest X-rays.

How is asthma treated?

Treatment of asthma depends on several factors, including the severity of your symptoms and their effect on your life. Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center typically recommends a combination of trigger avoidance and prescription medication. Common drugs that may help manage asthma include:

• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Leukotriene modifiers
• Combination inhalers
• Short-acting beta antagonists
• Allergy shots

To receive treatment for asthma, make an appointment at Tacoma Urgent Care and Wellness Center by calling the nearest office or booking online today.