Asthma

Between 25 and 28 million Americans have asthma, a chronic respiratory disease that causes the lungs to become inflamed and produce excess mucus. At Humble Simple Care, a virtual primary care practice serving people of all ages throughout Kentucky and Virginia, Nicole Isaac, MSN, FNP-C, specializes in diagnosing and treating mild asthma. To make a telemedicine appointment, click the online booking feature.

What is asthma?

Asthma is a chronic disease that irritates and inflames your lungs. These symptoms are triggered by external factors, such as pollen or exercise, and cause your airways to narrow and fill with mucus.

Many people with asthma are diagnosed in childhood. Some people’s symptoms improve as they age, but in the majority of cases, asthma requires lifelong treatment. 

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Chest tightness, pain, or pressure
• Cough

Asthma affects everyone differently. Some people experience persistent symptoms, regardless of what they’re doing, while others feel fine between asthma attacks.

Can asthma be diagnosed during a telemedicine appointment?

It depends. At Humble Simple Care, Nicole specializes in diagnosing mild cases of asthma. So, if you or your child typically feel fine, but tend to experience respiratory symptoms after exercise or other triggering events, she may be able to assess your symptoms and make treatment recommendations.

If Nicole suspects you have a more serious form of the disease, you may need to undergo additional testing, such as allergy tests, spirometry (a common lung function test), or chest X-rays. In these instances, Nicole refers you to a nearby medical facility that can complete these additional screens. After testing confirms your diagnosis, Nicole can make treatment recommendations and help coordinate your care.

How is mild asthma treated?

Nicole typically treats mild asthma using a combination of lifestyle changes, trigger avoidance, and prescription medication. She may recommend:

• Maintenance inhalers
• A rescue inhaler
• A nebulizer
• Leukotriene modifiers, a type of daily medication that reduces asthma symptoms
• Oral steroids, if you’ve recently had a moderate or severe flare-up
• Antihistamines, if you have allergic asthma

Nicole also helps you develop an asthma action plan. An action plan tells you when and how to use your asthma medications. It also tells you what to do if you experience an asthma attack or need emergency care. 

Together, medication, trigger avoidance, and an asthma action plan can provide peace of mind and reduce the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. 

If you’re concerned that you or your child may have asthma, don’t wait to schedule a telemedicine appointment at Humble Simple Care. Click the online booking feature today.