Asthma Care
Allergic asthma • Nonallergic asthma • Exercise-induced asthma • Nocturnal asthma • Cough variant asthma
We’re breathing new life into asthma care.
Most people think of asthma as being one condition that causes difficulty breathing. Actually, there are several types of asthma, each with its own triggers, symptoms and treatments.
Allergic asthma.
Allergic asthma is triggered by allergens such as pollen or pet dander. People with this type of asthma typically have a personal or family history of allergies, allergic rhinitis, hay fever and/or eczema. Seasonal allergic asthma is triggered by trees, grass or flowers releasing pollen into the air. Some asthmatics suffer worse in the spring when there are more flowering plants. Others find their asthma worse in late summer/early autumn when ragweed and mold are more likely to cause problems.
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Nonallergic asthma.
Some people with asthma do not have allergies. They get the same symptoms and have similar changes in their airways, but their asthma has other triggers. Irritants include tobacco smoke, wood smoke, room deodorizers, pine odors, fresh paint, household cleaning products, cooking odors and perfumes. The common cold, the flu or a sinus infection may also cause symptoms. Exercise, cold air, sudden changes in air temperature, even heartburn may trigger nonallergic asthma.
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Exercise-induced asthma.
Exercise-induced asthma refers to symptoms triggered by physical activity. Exercising outdoors in the winter appears particularly bad for patients with this type of asthma. However, exercise can also trigger symptoms in people with other types of asthma.
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Nocturnal asthma.
This refers to asthma symptoms that seem worse in the middle of the night, typically between 2 am and 4 am. That’s when levels of substances your body makes, like adrenaline and corticosteroids, both of which protect against asthma, are lowest.
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Cough variant asthma.
Cough variant asthma refers to asthma that has coughing as the primary symptom rather than wheezing. It is frequently mistaken for other illnesses and may not be treated properly unless recognized.
Those with cough variant asthma may only wheeze when they are quite ill, if they wheeze at all.
Please visit FamilyCare of Kent’s Patient Education Library to learn more about allergy & asthma care.
The NPs at FamilyCare of Kent, Washington will help you understand your asthma type and offer appropriate treatment. This may include inhalers, nebulizers, steroid asthma medications, leukotriene antagonists and bronchodilators. They are board-certified family nurse practitioners with over 70 years’ combined experience and thousands of happy patients. They include nationally recognized clinicians, teachers and speakers, including those who sit on the editorial boards of professional journals and who serve on the clinical faculty at the University of Washington.
Our family nurse practitioners encourage, welcome and appreciate your referrals.
For more information or to schedule an appointment, call FamilyCare of Kent, Washington at (253) 859-CARE (2273) or use our online appointment request form.
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