Asthma Specialist
-
- Tweet
Nabeel Khan, MD
Primary Care Practice located in Huntsville, TX
More than 25 million Americans have asthma — a lung condition that makes it difficult to breathe. At his private practice in Huntsville, Texas, board-certified internal medicine physician Nabeel Khan, MD, and his team offer expert diagnosis and personalized treatment plans for asthma. If you have any warning signs of asthma, call Dr. Khan today or schedule a consultation online.
Asthma
What is asthma?
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes inflammation in the airways in your lungs. The inflammation also triggers the production of mucus, which further clogs your airways. The telltale signs of asthma include:
- Wheezing or whistling sounds when you breathe
- Shortness of breath
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
Asthma symptoms come and go. You might find that certain things trigger your symptoms, such as pollen, exercise, or cold air. An asthma attack is a sudden onset of severe asthma symptoms.
What causes asthma?
Medical researchers haven’t identified a specific cause of asthma. However, they know that an immunologic response brings on inflammation. There’s a close link between asthma and allergies.
Many factors influence your risk of developing asthma. For example, if a family member has asthma, you’re more likely to have it, too. Other risk factors include exposure to:
- Cigarette smoke before birth
- Certain microbes early in life
- Chemical irritants in the workplace
- Poor air quality due to pollution or airborne allergens
If you have allergies or other respiratory conditions, or are obese, your chances of getting asthma increase.
How is asthma diagnosed?
Dr. Khan begins your diagnosis by asking about your symptoms, medical history, and lifestyle. He listens to your lungs for wheezing or whistling sounds.
He may order lung (pulmonary) function tests such as spirometry (with or without a bronchodilator), bronchoprovocation, and peak expiratory flow. These tests measure how much air moves in and out of your lungs.
How is asthma treated?
While there isn’t a cure for asthma, Dr. Khan works with you to implement a management plan to keep your airways open so you can breathe easily. Treatment plans usually combine medication and lifestyle modifications.
Dr. Khan often prescribes bronchodilator medication, including quick-relief inhalers for daily or as-needed use. You might also need to take medicine to reduce inflammation or control your immunologic response.
In addition to medication, Dr. Khan may recommend lifestyle adjustments to reduce your exposure to airborne allergens and irritants. He might also recommend adding physical activity to your daily routine to strengthen your lung capacity.
Call Nabeel A. Khan, MD, today or make an appointment online if you have concerns about asthma.
