Physician's Insight & Prevention Tips for Peak Asthma Season

According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America (AAFA), it’s peak season for the large population of Americans struggling with asthma. This common condition affects over 24.5 million people in the U.S. and more than six million children under the age of eighteen, claims the AAFA. In order to properly manage asthma, it’s important to understand the common triggers and symptoms associated with the disease.

Family medicine physician Humera Khan, MD, who serves on staff at Presence Saint Francis Hospital in Evanston, says, “Asthma is triggered by a number of things including: dust, mold, pollen, animal fur, sulfites in food and drinks, physical activity, and even some medicines.” Adding, “Common symptoms include: chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath.” For some people, asthma symptoms occur with physical activity, which is known as exercise-induced asthma, and others may experience nighttime asthma.

Dr. Khan advises patients to track their asthma attacks by keeping a written record of the symptoms and when they occur throughout the day. Although there is no cure, understanding one’s outbreaks can be help manage the symptoms. Dr. Khan provides these additional tips on proper treatment and care for asthma sufferers:

• Avoid potential asthma triggers, and carry a relief inhaler at all times in case you, or a family member, needs it to relax tight muscles around the airways.
• Talk to your doctor about long term control medicines or quick relief medicines to help manage chronic symptoms.
• See your doctor for regular asthma checkups.

“Partner with your doctor to develop an asthma action plan. This plan will help you know when and how to take or administer medicines for loved ones,” concludes Dr. Khan.

To make an appointment for you or your family with Dr. Khan, please call 847.679.5120. Book an appointment online, visit PresenceHealth.org/findadoc.

About Presence Medical Group
Presence Medical Group is a physician-led multispecialty group with over 80 locations and more than 300 health care providers throughout Illinois. Presence Medical Group is part of Presence Health.

About Presence Health
Presence Health (www.presencehealth.org) has joined Ascension and is now part of AMITA Health. AMITA Health is a joint operating company formed by the Adventist Health System in Altamonte Springs, Fla., and St. Louis-based Ascension. With the addition of Presence Health, AMITA Health is now the largest health system in Illinois, comprising 19 hospitals and more than 230 sites of care. The newly combined health system has 900 providers in its medical groups, more than 26,000 associates and 7,000 physician partners and now serves over 4.3 million residents in the greater Chicagoland area.