Asthma

Urgent Care, Telemedicine & Primary Care Practice located in El Centro, Brawley, Calimesa and Calexico, CA

Asthma services offered in El Centro, Brawley, Calimesa and Calexico, CA

It’s estimated that more than 25 million people in the United States have asthma, a chronic condition that causes the airways in your lungs to swell, leaving you short of breath. Asthma is especially serious for children because their smaller airways are more affected by swelling. Luis E. Verduzco, MD, Brian Tyson, MD, and the team at All ValleyUrgent Care in Brawley and El Centro, California, provide comprehensive care for asthma patients of all ages. To schedule an appointment, call the office, walk in, or request an appointment online today.

Asthma Q&A

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic lung disease that inflames your airways, causing them to narrow.

When you breathe, the air you inhale through your nose or mouth travels through your windpipe and enters the airways of your lungs. During an asthma attack, your airways swell and fill with mucus, and the muscles around your airways tighten, giving oxygen a much smaller pathway to travel.

Common asthma symptoms include:

Wheezing
Chest tightness
Shortness of breath
Recurrent cough

Although researchers don’t know exactly why some people develop asthma while others don’t, it’s believed that genetic and environmental factors may both play a part.

What causes an asthma attack?

An asthma attack, also known as a flare-up, is usually triggered by some type of inhaled irritant. Some of the most common asthma triggers are:

Allergens, including mold, pollen, and animal dander
Cigarette smoke, air pollution, and other airborne irritants
Infections that affect the airway, such as a cold virus
Cold air or sudden changes in weather

Exercise or intense physical exertion can also trigger an asthma attack in some people. No matter what the trigger, asthma attack symptoms often worsen quickly.

How is asthma diagnosed?

The team at All Valley Urgent Care uses spirometry testing to help assess lung function in previously undiagnosed children and adults who come to the office complaining of common asthma symptoms. This routine diagnostic test measures how much air you pull into your lungs as well as how quickly you exhale.

Your doctor at All Valley Urgent Care may also use spirometry testing to monitor a known asthma condition and determine how well a prescribed treatment works.

How is asthma managed?

To manage asthma effectively, knowing what triggers an attack is important. The most common triggers are allergens and the common cold; if you have allergies, avoiding any known allergens can greatly improve your asthma.

Asthma is typically treated with two kinds of medicines: Quick-relief medications to stop asthma attacks and long-term control medicines to prevent flare-ups. A personalized asthma management plan helps you understand how to spot early symptoms for quick at-home treatment and includes advice about when you should call your doctor.

To learn more about effective asthma management, call All Valley Urgent Care, walk in, or schedule an appointment online today.