Our board certified allergists, nurse practitioner and registered nurses are specially trained in the treatment of allergic conditions. As a first step towards diagnosing allergies, an extensive history and physical would be performed in our office by one of our board certified allergists or nurse practitioner. If your history indicates possible allergic problems, we would suggest allergy skin and/or blood testing. Allergy skin testing can be initiated on your first visit to our office. Allergies can also induce asthma; therefore, if this is indicated in your history and physical, we would suggest allergy testing as well as pulmonary function testing (lung capacity test) to establish the level of your asthma. Read more... |
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Asthma is narrowing of the lungs caused by muscle tightening and clogging of the airways by inflammation. This can be caused by exposure to pollens, animals, cigarette smoke and pollution. Asthma is diagnosed when a patient is determined to have a reversible airway obstruction after using a bronchodilator such as albuterol. Patients are measured against a standard curve for height weight and sex. Also, some adjustment is made for African-American body types, with the normal values multiplied by eighty-five percent. After an initial testing, the patient inhales a bronchodilator and waits twenty minutes. If lung function has improved twelve percent, the patient is considered to have reversible airway disease, or asthma. Read more... |
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