Asthma

Breathe freely again

What is asthma?

Allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma. About 90% of children and 50% of adults with asthma have allergies. Individuals with allergic asthma experience difficulty breathing when in the presence of allergens, like pollen, dust mites, mold spores, or pet dander.

Mild cases of asthma may only cause some minor shortness of breath, but serious asthma attacks can be life-threatening. Adults and kids who have been diagnosed with allergic asthma may require a prescription inhaler or nebulizer to treat asthma attacks. 
If you suspect that you or your child has allergic asthma, call Premier Allergy & Asthma at (614) 328-9927 to schedule a consultation at one of our clinics in central Ohio.

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Common asthma triggers

Exposure to allergens

If you breathe in a particular allergen, such as mold spores, pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or any other type of allergen, you may have an asthma attack. This causes your airway muscles to become inflamed and flooded with mucus, making it difficult to breathe.

Heavy exercise

About 90% of the people who have asthma also have exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, also known as exercise-induced asthma. After heavy exercise, like a run, you may have an asthma attack. This is particularly common after exercising in cold or dry weather, or when high levels of air pollution are present.

Breathing smoke, dust, and fumes

Breathing in contaminants like smoke, dust, or fumes can trigger an asthma attack in most people with allergic asthma, even if contaminants themselves don’t cause an allergic reaction directly.

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How asthma is diagnosed

To begin the process, a doctor at Premier Allergy & Asthma will discuss your medical history and whether or not you’ve had any issues with allergies or asthma in the past. You may also undergo a skin test to determine the exact allergen causing your asthma. The tested area is observed for red bumps, which are a sign of an allergic reaction.

As part of the process, a spirometry test may be used to test how much air you can inhale and exhale from your lungs. Similarly, a peak flow test may also be used to measure how quickly you can blow air out of your lungs.

Asthma treatments

Allergy immunotherapy

To give you long-lasting relief from your allergic asthma, your provider will guide you through one of our allergy immunotherapy programs. During treatment, a small amount of allergen will be injected into your body. Over time, your immune system will build a tolerance to the allergen so you can live reaction-free. 

Unlike other clinics, Premier Allergy & Asthma offers rush and cluster immunotherapy. These accelerated programs can cut your treatment time in half and train your body to live and thrive even in environments where your allergen is present.

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Inhaled steroids and bronchodilators

A “rescue inhaler” contains a bronchodilator, which is a medicine that helps increase airflow to the lungs. This is usually recommended for patients who suffer from asthma and have asthma reactions. Breathing in from this inhaler will relieve the symptoms of an asthma attack. This device is meant to be used as soon as you notice the asthma attack symptoms.

Inhalers and nebulizers that use steroids and bronchodilators may also be recommended for long-term treatment. With proper use, these medications can reduce both the frequency and severity of allergic asthma.