Asthma Specialist

Physicians Medical Primary Care Our Services Asthma

Physicians Medical Primary Care

Primary Care Practice & Urgent Care located in San Jose, CA

The CDC says that one in 13 people, or about 25 million Americans, are living with asthma. Left untreated, asthma can make it difficult to breathe and prevent you from physical activity like walking the dog or going for a hike. At Physicians Medical Primary Care in San Jose, California, our primary care specialists regularly work with men, women, and children to diagnose and treat asthma. To request your asthma appointment, call the office or click the online booking tool today. You can also walk-in for care.

Asthma Q & A

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition that causes your airways to swell, narrow, and produce excess mucus. Without proper treatment, asthma makes it difficult to breathe and may also trigger wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

For some people, asthma only causes minor issues; for others, it interferes with day-to-day tasks and may lead to a life-threatening asthma attack. Though there’s no cure for asthma, you can control its symptoms. If you or a loved one is experiencing respiratory issues, visit Physicians Medical Primary Care today.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma affects everyone differently. Some people experience symptoms only as a result of exercise or physical activity; others struggle to breathe nearly all the time. Telltale signs of asthma include:

  • Chest pain
  • Chest tightness
  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Coughing
  • Trouble sleeping
  • Environmental factors can also trigger asthma. For example, allergy-induced asthma occurs as a result of exposure to an airborne substance like pet hair, pollen, or dust.

Who gets asthma?

Asthma affects people of all ages, sexes, and backgrounds, but there are certain factors that may increase your risk, including:

  • Being overweight
  • Smoking
  • Having allergies
  • Having a family history of asthma
  • Exposure to pollution
  • Your job may also increase your risk of developing asthma. If you’re exposed to chemicals or fumes all day, you might develop occupational asthma.

asthmaHow is asthma diagnosed?

To diagnose asthma, your doctor conducts a physical exam and asks you about the symptoms you’re experiencing. They might also order a lung function test to determine the overall health of your lungs.

Physicians Medical Primary Care uses spirometry, with a top-of-the-line pulmonary function testing (PFT) machine. Spirometry measures the narrowing of your bronchial tubes. During spirometry, you inhale deeply and then exhale. The test measures how much air you exhale and how fast. The PFT test also provides valuable information that your doctor can share with internal medicine specialists or pulmonologists.

How is asthma treated?

Treatment for asthma depends on your overall health and the severity of your symptoms. Whenever possible, your doctor recommends conservative, integrative treatments.

For example, they might recommend healthy lifestyle changes, like avoiding triggers or quitting smoking if applicable. Or you might benefit from using a quick-relief inhaler or taking prescription bronchodilators. Bronchodilators are a group of medications that quickly open inflamed or swollen airways.

If you or a loved one regularly experiences difficulty breathing, asthma may be to blame. To request an asthma consultation at Physicians Medical Primary Care, call the office, click the online booking tool, or walk-in today.

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