Little Rock Asthma Treatment

What is Asthma?

Asthma, also known as bronchial asthma, is a chronic disease that affects your lungs. It’s an ongoing condition, meaning it doesn’t go away and needs ongoing treatment.

It is estimated that there are more than 25 million people who suffer from asthma in the US today, including more than 5 million children. Without treatment, asthma can be life-threatening.

When can asthma be diagnosed in kids?

Asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness in children. Allergies and a family history of asthma are among the main risk factors for childhood asthma. A child is more likely to be diagnosed with asthma if he or she:

  • Is age 5 to 17 years old (though for many, symptoms begin even earlier)

  • Has family members with asthma

  • Has any food allergies, eczema or nasal allergies

  • Is around tobacco smoke or other air pollution

  • Has another health condition, like obesity

Because asthma is a clinical diagnosis, your child’s health care provider may recommend specific tests to support an asthma diagnosis. Depending on the age of the child and the clinical situation, your child’s doctor may recommend:

  • Chest X-Rays: A diagnostic test that uses invisible energy beams to make images of internal organs, tissues, and bones to help rule out other conditions that appear similar to asthma, but may appear normal if the child has asthma.

  • Spirometry: Starting around age five, a spirometer is used to measure lung function.

  • Peak flow monitoring: The peak flow meter measures how much air a child can blow out of their lungs. This measurement can be helpful for some children, especially older children.

  • Allergy tests: While allergy tests can help identify asthma triggers, they are not diagnostic in and of themselves.

What can an Allergist do for Asthma?

An allergist can test for allergic triggers and educate patients in managing allergic (and non-allergic) triggers, as well as provide regular care and follow-up for those suffering from asthma.

Those suffering from asthma may find allergen immunotherapy (allergy shots) to be a helpful treatment. Allergists are specially trained in the proper administration and prescription of allergy shots. In addition, evidence shows that allergy shots can prevent the development of asthma in children.

A number of studies have shown that asthmatic patients treated by allergists have fewer emergency room visits, fewer hospitalizations, and fewer asthma symptoms overall.

When to see an Allergist for Asthma?

Allergists are asthma specialists and have gone through meticulous training to understand the treatment and management of asthma. In order to effectively manage asthma, an allergist must first identify triggers, clarify the diagnosis, address co-existing conditions that interfere with asthma control, and build an appropriate treatment plan. Asthma patients can receive regular care and follow-up from an allergist who can test for allergic triggers and teach them how to manage them (both allergic and non-allergic triggers).

An allergist is a great option for anyone experiencing asthma symptoms. Guidelines from the National Heart, Lung and Blood Institute (NHLBI) recommend seeing an asthma specialist, such as an allergist, if you:

  • Have asthma symptoms every day and into the night that causes you to limit your activities

  • Have had a life-threatening asthma attack

  • Do not meet the goals of your asthma treatment after three to six months

  • Are not responding to current treatment

  • Have symptoms that are unusual or hard to diagnose

  • Have conditions such as severe hay fever or sinusitis that complicate your asthma or your diagnosis

  • Need more tests to find out more about your asthma and what triggers your symptoms

  • Need more help and instruction on your treatment plan, medicines or asthma triggers

  • Might benefit from allergy shots

  • Need treatment with oral or injectable steroids

  • Have stayed in a hospital because of your asthma

  • Need help identifying your asthma triggers

  • Have a child with frequent or troubling asthma symptoms

Little Rock Asthma Treatment

Pediatric and Adult Allergist

Dr. Meredith Dilley is now accepting new patients.