Some 24 million adults and children in this country have asthma. Located in Libertyville and Gurnee, Illinois, board-certified physician Dr. Taher Sobhy of Persona Medical has extensive experience in managing asthma in patients of all ages throughout Lake County.
Asthma is an extremely common chronic breathing disorder that is characterized by a tightness in the chest and a narrowing of the bronchial airways. According to the Centers for Disease Control (CDC), 1 in 13 Americans suffer from asthma. An asthma attack can be triggered by allergies or exposure to strong chemicals or contaminants. When an asthma attack first strikes, the airways can begin to close rather quickly, causing the person to become more anxious. Since asthma can cause the closure of airways, it can be life threatening. So never take Asthma lightly. Please seek immediate medical attention if you are having an asthma attack.
The purpose of a pulmonary function test is to determine how well the lungs are functioning. This test determines how much oxygen is taken in and compares it to how much carbon dioxide is released when a person exhales. Determining how well the lungs are functioning also shows whether the body is getting sufficient oxygen, both at rest and when it is in motion. Pulmonary function tests are often used in diagnosing asthma and other respiratory conditions.
A person should be tested for asthma if they have difficulty breathing during an allergy attack or any other time when their breathing is restricted. Individuals who have difficulty breathing and feel as if they are breathing through a pipe or are unable to expand their lungs to draw in a full breath may be experiencing an asthma attack. Providers can use a pulmonary function test to determine if a patient is breathing in sufficient amounts of oxygen. Individuals who have frequent episodes, normally more than one or two a month, will be tested for asthma to determine if that is the cause.