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Asthma Specialist in Hallandale Beach, FL

Asthma Specialist in Hallandale Beach, FL

Asthma is a disease that affects your lungs. It causes repeated episodes of wheezing, breathlessness, chest tightness, and nighttime or early morning coughing. Get effective asthma treatment and management plans from experienced asthma specialists, Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1250 E Hallandale Beach Blvd Suite 205 A, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009.

Asthma Treatment Specialist Near Me in Hallandale Beach, FL
Asthma Treatment Specialist Near Me in Hallandale Beach, FL

Table of Contents:

What is asthma?
What are the signs and symptoms of asthma?
What is an asthma attack?
How can I prevent an asthma attack?
What is the main cause of asthma?
Can asthma be cured?
What does an asthma specialist do?
How does Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD help with Asthma?

Asthma can be challenging to deal with; however, with effective management and treatment, it doesn’t need to rule your life. At Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD, we are proud to provide our patients with highly effective asthma treatment and management plans that enable them to continue living successful and fulfilling lives. To give you a better idea of what asthma is and the treatment options available, we have provided some answers to commonly asked questions about asthma below.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a disease that affects the lungs. It is a long-term common disease that children and adults can suffer from. Asthma causes breathlessness, wheezing, tightness in the chest, and coughing which often occurs at night or early in the morning. Asthma never goes away, you have it all the time; however, asthma attacks appear when something starts to bother the person’s lungs.

While we do not know all of the things that go into asthma and why it is caused except for the genetics, environmental aspects, and occupational factors that have been previously linked to the development of asthma.

There are several different types of asthma that someone can suffer from including:

• Adult-onset Asthma
• Allergic Asthma
• Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome (ACOS)
• Exercise-induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)
• Non-allergic Asthma
• Occupational Asthma

What are the signs and symptoms of asthma?

Asthma symptoms may differ for each individual who deals with asthma. If you have infrequent asthma attacks, symptoms may only arise at certain times. Signs and symptoms of asthma include:

• Shortness of breath
• Tightness felt in the chest
• Chest pain
• Wheezing when you exhale
• Issues sleeping due to shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing
• Wheezing and coughing attacks which become worse due to a respiratory virus

You may be able to control an asthma attack if you are able to catch onto the warning signs that are occurring before the attack surfaces. You can control your asthma when you notice:

• Symptoms arising like coughing or wheezing
• Sleep much better
• No more missing school or work
• Take part in all physical activities without issues, and
• Will not need to go to the hospital

What is an asthma attack?

Asthma attacks include chest tightness, wheezing, coughing, and having issues breathing. The attack always occurs in the body’s airways, which is the path that carries the air to the lungs. As the air continues to move through the lungs, the airways become smaller, which are the branches of trees that are smaller than a tree trunk. During the asthma attack, the sides of the airways in the lungs begin to swell, and the airways begin to shrink, which then doesn’t allow air to get in and out as easily, with mucous that starts to clog up the body and airways.

Asthma attacks occur when you are exposed to asthma triggers. Asthma triggers can occur differently for each person who suffers from them. It is best if you know your triggers and learns how to avoid them if possible. You can better handle your asthma if you watch out for attacks when you cannot avoid triggers. Some of the most common triggers for asthma individuals often include dust mites, tobacco smoke, outdoor air pollution, cockroach allergen, mold, pets, smoke from burning wood and grass, and respiratory infections.

How can I prevent an asthma attack?

If you already live with asthma, you understand you need to cut down your exposure to triggers that can cause asthma attacks. This starts by knowing what sets off the trigger with coughing, gasps for breath, and wheezing. There is no cure for asthma, so it is left in your hands to learn to control and prevent future attacks.

Identify the triggers that start asthma attacks
• Air pollution
• Allergies
• Cold Air
• Cold or Flu Virus (Respiratory Viruses)
• Exercise
• Sinusitis
• Smoke
• Fragrances

• Try to stay away from any allergens
If you suffer from asthma and allergies, you will want to keep your distance from allergens so they do not set off your asthma.

• Avoid smoking of any kind
Smoking and asthma do not mix well. Limit your exposure to all types of smoke to limit any triggering effects.

• Prevent catching respiratory illnesses
Try to do what you can to stay healthy, and well. Avoid any loose contact with individuals who are sick or not feeling well.

• Allergy-proof where you live
There are certain things you can do to ensure you allergy-proof where you are staying or working to lower your chance of an asthma attack. Book a smoke-free hotel, bring your own bedding and pillows, keep dust away by cleaning.

• Get vaccinated
By getting a flu shot each year, your chances of getting sick and having your asthma become worse are minimized.

• Consider getting immunotherapy allergy shots
Allergy shots may help to prevent you from allowing your asthma to get out of hand.

• Take the asthma medication that you were prescribed
Long-term asthma medications were created to prevent asthma attacks from occurring, as well as to prevent symptoms of asthma attacks.

• Follow the asthma action plan
Asthma action plans like taking your meds even when you are feeling good, keeping your inhaler on you or close by at all times, watching for symptoms, and checking the instructions on every medication you take.

• Use a home peak flow meter to help
Home peak flow meters show how well the air is moving throughout the lungs. The home peak flow meter is able to show you that your airways are narrowing hours or even days before symptoms even appear.

What is the main cause of asthma?

It is unclear what the main cause of asthma is, and it is likely that the cause varies with each individual. However, research to date has shown that several different factors appear to be involved in asthma development, including genetics, the presence of allergies, certain respiratory infections, and exposure to various allergens, irritants, or viral infections in early childhood.

While the cause of asthma is unclear, there are several well-known triggers that can cause asthmatic episodes, including the following:

• Air pollution
• Allergens, including animal dander, dust mites, pollens, or molds
• Certain medications, such as aspirin or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Charcoal grills
• Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD)
• Cold air, dry wind, or sudden changes in weather
• Exercise
• Food allergies
• Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD)
• Intense emotions or high levels of stress
• Obstructive sleep apnea (OSA)
• Pests, such as cockroaches
• Respiratory infections
• Strong fumes, odors, or vapors
• Tobacco smoke
• Wood fires

Can asthma be cured?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma as it is a chronic condition. However, asthma is a highly treatable condition and can be managed effectively so that individuals can still find professional success and lead fulfilling lives without being deterred by asthma.

Asthma treatment typically involves a combination of quick-relief medication and long-term control medications to both address flare-ups and prevent them from occurring in the future as much as possible. Asthma medications can be administered through inhalers, nebulizers, or injectables, also known as biologics.

The most common medications for asthma include short- and long-acting bronchodilators, which relax airway muscles to make breathing easier, and anti-inflammatory medication, such as oral or inhaled corticosteroids, to reduce swelling and mucus in the airways.

Other treatment options include biologics, which are regular shots or infusions that prevent airway swelling for individuals with moderate to severe asthma, as well as oral leukotriene modifiers and nebulized cromolyn sodium.

What does an asthma specialist do?

An asthma specialist can be an allergist, immunologist, or pulmonologist. In general, they are uniquely trained to diagnose, treat, and manage asthma or asthma-related conditions. As such, their expertise involves providing various diagnostic tests for asthma, developing asthma management treatment plans for individual patients, and administering various asthma treatments.

How does Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD help with Asthma?

At Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD, our resident asthma specialist, Dr. Mesa, has received board certifications in various medical disciplines, including pulmonary medicine! As a board-certified pulmonologist with over 20 years of experience, he is highly skilled and very well-trained to help any individual dealing with asthma or an asthma-related condition.

With that in mind, our asthma specialist and team of medical professionals at Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD, will evaluate your condition and create an effective treatment plan with your input that is uniquely customized to your needs when it comes to providing you with asthma treatment.

For more information on what to expect from asthma treatment at Dr. Luis J. Mesa, MD, or to schedule an appointment with us, please call us or book an appointment on our website! You can find our clinic at 1250 E Hallandale Beach Blvd Suite 205 A, Hallandale Beach, FL 33009. We serve patients from Hallandale Beach FL, Aventura FL, Hollywood FL, Golden Glades FL, Miramar FL, Hialeah FL, Fort Lauderdale FL, and BEYOND.