This blog begins a series of “plain talk” articles concerning commonly asked questions about diseases of the respiratory system. Today, the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists shine a spotlight on questions about asthma.

• What is asthma? Asthma is a chronic lung disease that both inflames and narrows the airways in the respiration system.

• Who has it? 24.6 million Americans have this disease. Unfortunately, nearly seven million people who suffer with it are children.

• What are the symptoms? Wheezing, tightness in the chest, and shortness of breath are typical symptoms of asthma. Asthma operates on a clock, meaning coughing is often triggered at night or early morning.

• What is an attack? Symptoms such as those stated above can be mild and cease when medicine or treatment is administered. When these same symptoms increase in intensity or quantity, we call it an attack.

• When should I medicate? Immediately! The Florida Lung Doctors advise patients to treat symptoms when they first begin. Don’t try to be tough; take your treatment. Immediate treatment prevents increased severity of subsequent attacks.

• What happens in a severe attack? A severe asthma attack might mean a fast trip to the emergency room. We do not mean to alarm our readers, but an intense or untreated attack can be fatal.

• How do I know I have Asthma? Here in Orlando, our doctors base an asthma diagnosis on a physical exam, test results, and a detailed medical history. Then a treatment plan is devised.

• We of the Florida Lung, Allergy and Sleep Specialists advise our asthma patients to be proactive in fighting this disease. Asthma can be managed with proper treatment, and the symptoms and attacks decreased. We closely guard our patients’ condition for signs the disease is increasing in severity.

• Does exercise cause asthma? Exercise can be a trigger for asthma. However we do not sanction neglecting physical exercise because it is vital to your health. We discuss medical regimens that can help keep you active.

• Can asthma be cured? The medical world has no cure for this disease, but we have excellent treatments which empower patients to enjoy normal, active lives.  To read more details about asthma, we invite you to read this in depth article. As always, the Florida Lung, Asthma and Sleep Specialists encourage our readers to ask their doctors questions about asthma symptoms.