Asthma Testing in Los Angeles, CA

When you or your child has asthma, you live with the constant narrowing of the airways because inflammation has constricted your ability to breathe. Whether you have acute or chronic asthma, the symptoms are the same. Our board-certified physician and pulmonologist, Dr. Abraham Avi Ishaaya, administers testing and asthma management at his private practice in Los Angeles, CA. He is accepting new patients for asthma testing, (acute or chronic) treatment, and long-term therapy options for deregulated breathing. We offer asthma testing for kids and adults at our practice.

Asthma causes airways to become narrow and feel tight and a response by the body to produce thick, hard-to-cough-up mucus in the constricted airway. Asthma can cause you to be very sensitive to the air you breathe. Your physical activity or substances in your environment that you encounter may cause an asthma flare-up. Come into our LA office for a private consultation with Dr. Ishaaya for compassionate, comprehensive asthma care.

Asthma testing is crucially important for children and adults who experience difficulty breathing and sudden attacks of restricted airways. This battery of tests diagnoses and identifies the causes of asthma (triggers), how your body responds, and what treatment options will be most effective. Allergy tests can allow Dr. Ishaaya to:

• Diagnose asthma and other conditions (allergies, sinusitis, etc.)
• Measure the lungs' response to stress and triggers
• Identify effective treatment options
• Monitor the effectiveness of asthma treatments
• Make changes to treatments if necessary

If you or your child has difficulty breathing that interferes with your everyday routine and desired activity levels, and the issues haven’t already been explained by another medical condition, you or yours should likely consider an asthma test. An asthma test with Dr. Ishaaya will include diagnostic tests in addition to a comprehensive review of your medical history and your symptoms. From there, Dr. Ishaaya and his Los Angeles, CA team can offer guidance on the best course of action to treat the breathing problems.

At Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers, we run the following tests for asthma: pulmonary function tests (PFT), the methacholine challenge, and an inflammation assessment with nitric oxide. If you are or your child is experiencing a life-disrupting cough, chest tightness, wheezing, and shortness of breath, these are all hallmarks of asthmatic breathing. We also support patients who already have a diagnosis of asthma with long-term therapeutic solutions to manage treatment from exercise-induced asthma to bronchoconstriction episodes.

To prepare for our testing services to get the most accurate results, we ask that dress in clothing that is not too tight or eat a large meal before your test. We also do not want you to exercise at least 30 minutes before your test. It is never a good idea to smoke for at least one hour and/or drink alcohol four hours before the appointment. Check with Dr. Ishaaya if you are on any medications that could skew your test results and need to be taken after the test for the best results.

Depending on the type and severity of asthma to be treated, Dr. Ishaaya may recommend:

• Maintenance medications to reduce inflammation in the lungs and ease asthma-related symptoms
• Rescue inhaler as needed for quick relief for sudden problematic breathing
• Nebulizer breathing treatments
• Allergy testing and treatment to eliminate allergens that trigger asthma attacks

After Dr. Ishaaya has collected the data from your asthma testing, he will create a treatment plan to manage your asthma. He will also want to regularly follow up with you to make sure that you are receiving the appropriate treatment, discuss your concerns, and document your progress.

What are the symptoms of asthma?

Asthma can present unique symptoms for each patient, but on average, the most common symptoms of asthma often include:

• Difficulty breathing
• Shortness of breath
• Pain or tightness in the chest
• Coughing and wheezing
• Difficulty exhaling
• Sleep problems caused by breathing difficulties

Can other health issues be mistaken for asthma?

Yes, a number of other health issues can present the same or similar symptoms as asthma. These typically include allergies, environmental exposure to irritants, cold and flu, chronic bronchitis, emphysema, and more.

Who is a candidate for asthma testing?
Individuals who are experiencing shortness of breath, with or without having done exercise, may be good candidates for asthma testing. Additionally, if you have been hospitalized for wheezing or severe bronchitis, you may want to receive testing. While asthma may be more common in children, it can also develop in adults.

Can asthma go away on its own?
A patient can age out of asthma. However, this typically only occurs in patients who have been diagnosed with asthma at a young age. When you are experiencing asthma symptoms, it is still important to receive regular treatments.

Can asthma worsen with age?
Since asthma can be more difficult to detect in adults, it may lead to a delayed diagnosis. In this case, asthma can worsen since it is not being properly treated. This is why as soon as you experience symptoms, you should schedule a consultation for asthma testing.

Our medical team at Dr. Avi Ishaaya Centers are dedicated to patients of all ages with asthma-related problems and health issues. When you can't breathe regularly or your symptoms are disruptive to your life, we invite you to be tested for asthma at our Los Angeles, CA office. No matter what level of severity or type of asthma you have, we will offer you support in managing your acute or chronic asthma symptoms. To get started on a road to easy breathing, schedule an appointment today for asthma testing today.