Asthma Specialist

Seby Medical Center

Family Medicine & Cardiology located in Roseland, Chicago, IL & Downers Grove, IL

When you have asthma, or your child does, it can make everyday activities difficult and put you at higher risk for other respiratory problems. Sebastian Joseph, MD, and Amit Vyas, MD, of Seby Medical Center in the Roseland area of Chicago, Illinois, offer treatment and long-term management of pediatric and adult asthma. For quality asthma care, call the practice or schedule an appointment online today.

Asthma Q & A

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic illness that impacts a child's or adult's ability to breathe. Someone with asthma has a frequent, sudden onset of breathing difficulties due to swelling and excess mucus in the airways, commonly called an asthma attack.

Asthma affects about one in 13 people in the United States. Of those, about six million children experience asthma attacks each year. Symptoms can range from mild to life-threatening and could either worsen or improve as you get older.

What causes asthma?

Asthma symptoms occur when exposure to an allergen or other substance triggers your immune system to overreact and cause swelling in the airways. Inflammation affects the tissues of the lungs which constrict and prevent adequate air flow.

Common triggers of an asthma attack include:

Dust mites, pollen, or mold
Respiratory infections
Food intolerances
Exercise
Cold air
Stress or anxiety
Smoke or air pollutants
Perfume or strong scents

Asthmatic triggers are unique for each person. Identifying what causes your symptoms and avoiding exposure to that trigger is essential to preventing asthma attacks.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

If you have asthma, you may have a sudden onset of symptoms such as:

Chest tightness
Wheezing
Coughing
Shortness of breath
Increased breathing rate
Difficulty breathing

The severity of your asthma attacks may vary. You may be more prone to asthma if you have seasonal allergies or other respiratory problems, or you live with a smoker.

What are the treatments for asthma?

Unfortunately, there is no cure for asthma. The best course of treatment is to avoid your triggers entirely. To lower your risk for having an asthma flair or to improve your symptoms during an asthma attack, Dr. Joseph or Dr. Vyas may order:

Allergy testing
Dietary changes
Daily oral or inhaled medications
Rescue inhaler medications
At-home nebulizer treatments

To diagnose or track changes with your asthma, the Seby Medical Center team may perform pulmonary function tests or get X-rays periodically. They work closely with you to get a personalized plan of care to avoid triggers and reduce the frequency of asthma symptoms.

For comprehensive asthma care, call the office or schedule an appointment online with Seby Medical Center today.

What we offer