Allergies and asthma are common, affecting more than 50 million Americans each year. If itchy eyes, a stuffy nose, and trouble breathing make you uncomfortable and affect your quality of life, you don’t have to live with it. Hammad Zaidi, MD, and his experienced family medicine team offer advanced allergy and asthma treatments at A&U Family Medicine in Sugar Land, Texas. Call to learn more about your options or schedule an appointment online today.
Allergies occur when your immune system reacts to substances your body is allergic to, such as bee venom, pollen, pet dander, or certain foods. Asthma is a condition in which your airways swell and narrow in response to allergens or exercise, making it difficult to breathe. If you experience symptoms of allergies or asthma, Dr. Zaidi offers numerous solutions.
If you experience the following symptoms, you may have allergies or asthma.
Symptoms of allergies include:
Some allergy and asthma symptoms are mild and may not bother you, while others can be severe or even life-threatening. Allergy and asthma treatment is the best way to reduce symptoms and restore your quality of life.
To diagnose asthma or allergies, Dr. Zaidi reviews your medical history and symptoms. He examines you and may complete a variety of diagnostic tests, such as spirometry and peak flow lung function tests for asthma, and skin prick or blood tests to find out if you have allergies.
Your personalized allergy or asthma treatment plan varies based on what you’re allergic to and the severity of your condition. Dr. Zaidi might recommend:
Avoiding substances you’re allergic to, such as certain foods, might be all that’s needed to prevent allergy symptoms.
Taking medications, like antihistamines, helps ease symptoms by reducing your immune system’s response to allergens. Dr. Zaidi might recommend a prescription or over-the-counter liquid medicine, pills, nasal sprays, or eye drops for symptom relief.
To relieve symptoms of asthma, Dr. Zaidi may suggest using an inhaler, even if it’s just during physical activity.
Nebulizers are portable machines that deliver medicines as a mist you can inhale to reduce asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) symptoms.
Immunotherapy, or allergy shots, involves a series of injections containing allergen extracts given over a specified time period to relieve allergy symptoms.
In the case of a severe allergy, Dr. Zaidi offers epinephrine shots to take during an emergency if you experience life-threatening allergy symptoms.
Don’t live with debilitating allergy and asthma symptoms when you don’t have to. Schedule an appointment with A&U Family Medicine over the phone or online today.