Asthma Specialist
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Premier Allergy Asthma & Immunology, PLLC
Kiranjit K. Khalsa, MD, MPH
Allergy & Immunology Practice serving Scottsdale, Phoenix, AZ, and the surrounding areas
Nearly 8% of children and adults have asthma, a chronic condition that’s one of the top reasons kids stay home from school and adults miss work or underperform. At Premier Allergy Asthma & Immunology, PLLC, Kiranjit Khalsa, MD, MPH, offers comprehensive asthma care that helps you stay active and healthy. Don't wait to seek treatment if you develop asthma symptoms. If you have asthma, you need fast-acting medication on hand to clear your airways during the next attack. To schedule an appointment, call the office in Scottsdale, Arizona, or book an appointment online.
Asthma Q&A
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic inflammatory lung condition. The inflammation makes your airways overly sensitive to certain irritants and then inhaling the irritant triggers an asthma attack.
During an asthma attack, your airways suddenly become swollen and inflamed. They also produce an excessive amount of mucus. These reactions narrow the airways, making it hard to breathe.
What triggers asthma?
If you have allergies, chances are your allergens trigger your asthma attacks. However, many things can cause an asthma flare-up. A few of the most common triggers include:
- Pollen
- Dust mites
- Animal dander
- Mold spores
- Cold air
- Stress
- Second-hand tobacco smoke
- Respiratory infections (common cold or flu)
Exercise and athletic activities trigger a flare-up in 70-90% of people with asthma.
What symptoms does asthma cause?
Most people don't have symptoms until a flare-up occurs, and then they experience problems such as:
- Chest tightness or pain
- Shortness of breath (trouble breathing)
- Wheezing (whistling sound)
- Coughing
Some people have mild symptoms; for others, an attack causes severe breathing problems. However, you can also have a mild flare-up one time and a more severe attack the next.
How is asthma treated?
After reviewing your symptoms and completing a physical exam, Dr. Khalsa performs lung function testing such as spirometry. This test shows how much air you exhale and how quickly you can blow it out.
Dr. Khalsa creates a customized treatment plan that includes:
Creating an asthma action plan
Adults and children can benefit from an action plan. A child's action plan provides instructions that tell teachers and caregivers what to do when your child has an asthma flare-up.
Adults can also use an action plan to trace their symptoms and attacks. The information you collect helps you identify when your symptoms start to get worse, indicating you may need a medication change.
Identifying and avoiding triggers
Dr. Khalsa helps you identify your asthma triggers and suggests ways to avoid them.
Taking medication
People with asthma need two types of medications. You should have quick-relief medication that you inhale at the first sign of a flare-up. The medication rapidly opens your airways to ensure you can breathe.
Some patients also take long-term medications daily to prevent future asthma attacks and reduce the severity of their symptoms.
If you have symptoms like difficulty breathing, wheezing, and coughing, call Premier Allergy Asthma & Immunology, PLLC, or book an appointment online today.
