Proudly Part of Privia Health
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, you want experienced medical care you can trust. At Healthy Steps in Silver Spring, Maryland, Dr. Husna Baksh diagnoses and treats patients suffering from asthma symptoms. Healthy Steps offers diagnostic testing to determine lung function and health. Dr. Baksh and her medical team use these tests to recommend treatment plans that control asthma symptoms, giving patients improved quality of life.
Asthma is a common chronic disease that impacts your ability to breathe. People with asthma experience periods of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. The condition is often diagnosed in childhood. Current statistics show that over 25 million people in the United States suffer from asthma.
When asthma flares up, it’s often called an “asthma attack.” During an attack, your airways become inflamed and swollen, blocking the passage of air to your lungs. Without intervention, your airways may continue to tighten and symptoms can become severe and even fatal. If you experience a severe asthma attack, you need to seek immediate emergency medical care.
There are many common triggers for asthma, and knowing which ones you’re sensitive to can help deter sudden attacks. For many people, exposure to pollen or airborne pollutants can trigger an asthma attack. Animal hair and dander are also common allergens linked to asthma. For some people, physical activity can also cause wheezing and shortness of breath associated with asthma. Stress, sinus infections, and even sleep apnea have also been linked to asthma symptoms.
Asthma is a chronic condition, but it can be managed and controlled. At Healthy Steps, treatment plans are customized for each patient and may include daily medication, lifestyle modifications, and fast-acting inhalers. Dr. Baksh may also recommend immunotherapy if your asthma is triggered by allergies.
If you feel the symptoms of asthma coming on, you want to breathe easier as quickly as possible. At Healthy Steps, Dr. Baksh offers prescription medications that quickly relieve wheezing and shortness of breath. Quick-acting inhalers are the most common treatments for asthma because they relax bronchial muscles and open constricted airways fast. Although these types of medications are very useful, if you rely on them more than twice a week, talk with Dr. Baksh about a treatment plan that effectively controls asthma by reducing inflammation.