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Asthma Specialist

Sirven & Associates Allergy and Asthma Center

Adult & Pediatric Allergy and Immunology & Allergists located in Miami, FL

Asthma affects about 26 million Americans of all ages and is one of the leading causes of missed work or school. At Sirven & Associates Allergy and Asthma Center in Miami, Florida, Viviana Sirven, MD, and her skilled team educate patients on asthma symptoms and lifestyle modifications that help to avoid common triggers. If asthma symptoms like shortness of breath, chest tightening, and wheezing have been holding you back, it’s time to take control of your health. Call or use the online booking tool today to schedule an appointment.

Asthma

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that causes frequent shortness of breath. If you have asthma, inflammation and the narrowing of your air passageways result in labored breathing.

In about half of all cases, asthma runs in families. Environmental factors are the leading cause of most other asthma cases.

The most common type of asthma is classified as allergic or caused by exposure to an allergen. Identifying the allergens that trigger your asthma symptoms and treating those allergies is the best way to overcome asthma.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

The most common asthma symptoms include:

  • Chest tightness
  • Coughing (particularly at night, during exercise, or when you laugh)
  • Shortness of breath
  • Trouble breathing
  • Wheezing (a whistling sound in your chest when you breathe)

If left untreated, asthma symptoms can be severe and develop into life-threatening situations.

How do you diagnose asthma?

At Sirven & Associates Allergy and Asthma Center, Dr. Sirven first reviews your medical history and discusses your asthma symptoms with you. Your provider may also perform a lung function test, also called a pulmonary function test, to observe how well your lungs work.

These tests determine how much air your lungs can hold, how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs, and how well your lungs put oxygen into and remove carbon dioxide from your blood.

Spirometry is the first and most commonly performed lung function test. For this test, you breathe into a mouthpiece attached to a recording device (spirometer), which measures how much and how quickly you can move air out of your lungs.

Another test known as the Forced Expiratory Flow test assesses the amount of air in the small airways, or bronchioles, which are usually decreased in asthma. Other pulmonary function tests produce a variety of readings that help your provider analyze your asthma and, in turn, help you better understand your condition.

How is asthma treated?

The most effective way to manage and treat asthma symptoms is by treating the underlying cause: allergies. At Antigen Solutions, treatment for allergies usually consists of comprehensive diagnostic techniques, lifestyle modification counseling, and personalized immunotherapy.

To learn more about the diagnosis and treatment of allergies and asthma, call Sirven & Associates Allergy and Asthma Center or book an appointment online.