What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, which can lead to breathing difficulties. If you experience:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Coughing, which often worsen in response to triggers like allergens, respiratory infections, or physical activity
you may have asthma. These symptoms result from the airway’s heightened sensitivity to irritants, causing the muscles around them to constrict and the lining to swell, making it harder for air to pass through.
Thankfully, proper management and avoidance of triggers can help individuals with asthma lead active and healthy lives. At Laguna Allergy Medical Boutique, our board certified allergists can help you or your children manage and treat this condition.
How Can Laguna Allergy Medical Boutique Help?
At our practice in Aliso Viejo, our board certified allergists provide:
- Pulmonary Function Testing
- Exhaled Nitric Oxide Testing
- Biologics
- Allergen Immunotherapy
- Blood Allergy Testing
- Skin Prick Tests
What is Pulmonary Function Testing?
This non-invasive test assesses lung function by measuring how much air a person can exhale and how quickly. For asthma patients, it helps diagnose the condition, determine its severity, and monitor treatment effectiveness. By evaluating parameters such as forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and forced vital capacity (FVC), the providers at Laguna Allergy can objectively assess airflow limitation and bronchial constriction, key features of asthma.
What is Exhaled Nitric Oxide Testing?
This non-invasive test measures the levels of nitric oxide gas in a person’s exhaled breath. Elevated eNO levels are indicative of airway inflammation, which is a hallmark of asthma. By quantifying eNO, the board certified allergists at Laguna Allergy can assess the degree of airway inflammation and adjust asthma treatment accordingly.
What are Biologics?
Biologics are medications designed to target specific proteins or cells involved in the inflammatory pathways of asthma. By doing so, biologics can effectively reduce airway inflammation and improve asthma symptoms. Biologics are typically administered through injections and are customized to target specific asthma-related molecules.
What is Blood Allergy Testing?
This test measures the levels of immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies in the blood, which are produced in response to allergens. By identifying specific allergens that trigger allergic reactions in patients with asthma, blood allergy testing helps pinpoint the precise substances that may worsen their symptoms.
What is Allergen Immunotherapy?
This therapy involves regular injections of small, gradually increasing doses of specific allergens, such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander, to desensitize the immune system’s overreactive response. By exposing the body to these allergens in a controlled manner, immunotherapy helps reduce allergy symptoms and can, in turn, alleviate asthma symptoms triggered by allergies.
What is the Skin Prick Test?
During this simple and minimally invasive procedure, your Laguna Allergy provider will introduce a tiny amount of allergen extracts (such as pollen, dust mites, or pet dander) just beneath the surface of the skin. If you are allergic to a particular allergen, you will typically develop a small, itchy bump or hive at the test site within 15-20 minutes. Identifying specific allergens through the skin prick test helps us pinpoint the precise triggers for your symptoms.
Schedule Care for Asthma in Aliso Viejo, CA
Laguna Allergy Medical Boutique was founded by Drs. Gillian Bassirpour and Kristen Walters, two board certified allergists and moms who will provide you and your children the care you deserve. In addition to the services listed above, we also offer a retail space where you can get pajamas for babies with eczema, books about food allergies, and more! To learn more about how Laguna Allergy can help with asthma-related concerns, please click the appointment button below or call 949-287-4900.
