Asthma And COPD

What are asthma and COPD?

Asthma and COPD are lung diseases that make it difficult to get a full breath of air. Your airways can narrow and produce mucus, causing shortness of breath and other unpleasant symptoms, some of which can be dangerous or life-threatening. Seek treatment with the Montgomery Family Care team at the first sign of breathing distress.

What are the symptoms of asthma and COPD?

The common symptoms of asthma and COPD include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness
• Chest pain
• Difficulty breathing
• Trouble sleeping
• Chronic coughing
• Fatigue

If you have asthma and COPD, your breathing difficulty typically worsens with physical activity, especially strenuous exercise.

What are the risk factors for asthma and COPD?

Anyone can develop asthma or COPD, but common risk factors include:

• Family history of asthma or COPD
• Smoking
• Obesity
• Allergies
• Breathing exhaust fumes and other air pollutants
• Exposure to other airborne irritants

Smoking significantly increases your risk of developing COPD and can make lung disease symptoms worse. Avoid smoking and breathing in fumes to keep your risk of asthma and COPD as low as possible.

How does my doctor diagnose asthma and COPD?

The Montgomery Family Care team discusses your symptoms and medical history to determine if you have asthma or COPD. They complete a physical exam, check your vital signs, and listen to your breathing.

Providers could recommend lung function tests, lab tests, MRIs, chest X-rays, or other diagnostic procedures to arrive at a diagnosis and develop a highly effective treatment plan. You might be asked to breathe into a specialized device that assesses your ability to get a full breath of air before and after using an inhaler.

What are the common treatments for asthma and COPD?

How your asthma or COPD is treated will depend on which condition you have and how severe it is. Using an inhaler as needed to get a full breath of air is one of the most common treatments for lung diseases.

Other possible solutions include allergy medication or shots, oral medicine, healthy weight management, not smoking, home ventilation therapy, oxygen therapy, and lung rehabilitation. The Montgomery Family Care team personalizes your breathing treatments to give you the best quality of life possible.

Call the office today or book an appointment online to learn more about asthma and COPD treatments available at Montgomery Family Care and find out which are best for you.