Can a Primary Care Physician Treat Asthma?

Asthma’s impact is widespread. Approximately 25 million people in the United States live with this illness. Some individuals may not even realize they have asthma, as sometimes symptoms can be mistaken for a bad cold or allergies.

Understanding asthma and recognizing the signs is important, as seeking prompt treatment can significantly improve quality of life and lower the risk of illness and death.

Asthma is a lung disease that causes inflammation and narrowing in the airways of the lungs. The condition makes it harder for a person to breathe. Asthma is sometimes referred to as bronchial asthma and is a chronic respiratory disease. Asthma causes nearly 1.6 million emergency room visits every year.

While doctors are still exploring all the causes of asthma, science has shown that the following  factors are linked to the illness:

Individuals that have a parent with asthma are up to six times more likely to develop asthma than someone without a parent with asthma.

Developing a serious respiratory illness as a child can leave the lungs weakened and later lead to chronic asthma.

Environmental triggers in the workplace or at home, such as dust, mold, or industrial chemicals, can increase asthma symptoms for individuals with asthma.

People with asthma may experience some or all of the following types of symptoms:

An allergist, pulmonologist, or primary care physician can diagnose and offer treatment for asthma. The key to diagnosing asthma begins with talking to your doctor about your symptoms. This information will provide insight into whether asthma or another illness is driving your symptoms.

Your doctor will likely ask for a complete medical history, perform a physical exam and lung test, and ask questions about your symptoms.

Everyone’s asthma is different, so your doctor must create an asthma treatment plan just for you. A treatment plan is often comprised of medicine and lifestyle changes meant to keep asthma triggers to a minimum.

Lifestyle changes may include addressing environmental factors such as dust, mold, and animal dander. It might also involve modifying your exercises or including specific breathing exercises that strengthen the lungs. 

Asthma medicines work in two primary ways:

There are three main types of asthma medicines and treatments:

1.     Fast-acting relief medicines – These medicines work immediately to provide fast relief and restore breathing. They are often referred to as inhalers or puffers.

2.     Controller medicines – These medicines help treat asthma by controlling changes in the airways, such as swelling and excess mucus but are long-term treatments and do not offer immediate relief of sudden symptoms.

3.     Biologics – This treatment targets cells or proteins to prevent swelling of airways. They are given by injection or infusion.

In addition to allergists and pulmonologists, a primary care physician can also prescribe an inhaler for individuals who have asthma. They can also prescribe controller medicines or biologics, if appropriate, as part of your overall treatment plan.

Keep a diary of your symptoms, triggers, and a list of your medicines. Share the list with your primary care physician at every visit. Ask your primary care doctor for information that can assist you in better managing your symptoms.

How can I prevent things that can make my asthma worse?

Are there changes I should make around my home?

What exercises are better for me to do?

Am I using my inhaler correctly?

Are there any alternative therapies that will help me?

A crucial part of being healthy is ensuring you stay up to date on your wellness visits. Many people make the mistake of putting off doctor’s appointments when nothing seems wrong; however, this can lead to early signs of new illnesses or diseases being missed. Primary care is vital because it serves as a crucial means for preventative care , including early detection and treatment of disease and chronic conditions such as asthma.

Proactive treatments for conditions caught early can reduce the risk of serious illness and even death. If you think you might have asthma, your primary care physician can help you get things under control early on and provide you with the right tools to prevent or minimize future asthma attacks.

In addition, if you need medications, your primary care physician can prescribe them while ensuring comprehensive continuity of care with any other medicines you take or for other health conditions.

With asthma, knowledge is essential to the treatment plan, as understanding what to avoid and how to manage an attack properly will significantly improve your quality of life. If you are experiencing asthma-like symptoms, do not delay speaking to your primary physician about your concerns.

Having a primary care physician who can also treat your asthma provides a significant advantage in supporting and maintaining your overall health. The staff at Colorado Primary Health Care is devoted to delivering comprehensive care and works hard to forge close relationships with all our patients.

If you are looking for a primary care physician in the Greater Denver area who can also provide comprehensive asthma treatment, please contact our office at (303) 703-8583 or book an appointment using our online form.

The post Can a Primary Care Physician Treat Asthma? appeared first on Colorado Primary Health Care.