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What are the signs?
Sometimes asthma symptoms are mild
and go away on their own. But at other
times, symptoms can get worse and
trigger an asthma attack.
Common asthma symptoms include:
“Not all people with asthma have the same
symptoms. And having these symptoms
doesn’t always mean someone has the
disease,” says Hossein Razavi, MD,
pulmonologist and critical care and sleep
medicine specialist. “If you suspect you
have asthma, see a doctor. Your doctor
can use your medical history, a physical
exam and a simple lung function test to
determine whether you have the disease.”
What causes it?
The cause of someone’s asthma isn’t
always known. But a number of things —
known as triggers — can bring about
or worsen symptoms.
Common triggers include:
Could It Be Asthma?
If your doctor confirms that you do have
asthma, he or she can help you identify
your particular triggers and give you
advice on how to avoid them.
How to spot the symptoms and breathe easy
Imagine the challenge of trying to breathe through a straw for minutes
or hours on end. That’s how breathing can sometimes feel for people
who have asthma — a chronic lung disease that causes the airways to
narrow, making it difficult to breathe.
It’s important to recognize the symptoms of asthma and to get medical
help for it. People with asthma — both young and old — can lead normal,
active lives. The key to doing so is learning how to manage the disease.
”
Not all people with asthma
have the same symptoms.
And having these symptoms
doesn’t always mean
someone has the disease...
— Hossein Razavi, MD
To learn more or to reach
Hossein Razavi, MD,
call 707.963.0267.
More than
25 million
Americans
now live with
asthma, and
that number
continues
to rise.
n
Coughing.
n
Wheezing.
n
Chest tightness.
n
Shortness of breath.
n
Quick-relief medications, which
provide temporary relief from
asthma symptoms.
n
Long-term control medications,
which are taken daily to control
airway swelling.
Treating asthma
There is no cure for asthma. But it can be
successfully managed if you learn how
to control your asthma, get ongoing care
and watch for signs that the disease is
getting worse.
Asthma is treated with two types
of medicines:
n
Allergens, such as dust mites;
animal dander; mold; and
pollens from trees, grasses and
flowers.
n
Cigarette smoke, air pollution
and certain chemicals.
n
Respiratory infections.
n
Physical activity.
n
Stress.
It’s important to follow your doctor’s
advice on the proper use of asthma
medications.
Most of the time you can treat asthma
symptoms on your own. But if you have
trouble walking or talking because you are
out of breath or if you develop blue lips or
fingernails, you need to seek immediate
medical attention.
By working with your doctor and learning
how to manage your asthma, you can
breathe freely and live an active life.
“
”
Hossein Razavi, MD