Understanding Respiratory Diseases – Asthma and COPD
Dr. Weisz is highly proficient and capable in the treatment of both Asthma and Chronic Obtrusive Pulmonary Disease (COPD). It is important to note that despite their similarities Asthma and COPD are distinct respiratory diseases with their own causes, symptoms, and treatments. In addition to treatment methods Dr. Weisz will make sure that your diagnosis is accurate and reflects your condition.
Living with Asthma and Treatment
Asthma is a common respiratory disease which features coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing as symptoms. A key difference of asthma from COPD is that diagnosis are common for younger people. While the causes of asthma are less well-known than COPD, typically its triggers are typically specific substances in the air. Commonly, these substances are pollen, dust mites, mold, pet hair, smoke, and physical exertion among other things.
Treatment for asthma centers around long-term management of the condition. An important part of any asthma treatment is the identification of what is most likely to trigger asthmatic reactions that induce symptoms. On top of this Dr. Weisz will work to develop a treatment plan that can include medication to ward off serious asthma attacks, allergy medications if it is appropriate for the triggers present, and long-term medication such as inhalers. Together these can form the backbone of a plan that works to minimize the impact asthma has on day to day life.
Living with COPD and Treatment
COPD has many similarities to asthma; however, it is not caused by trigger substances in the air nor found in children. Instead, COPD is caused predominantly by smoking or inhalation of smoke and can be aggravated by respiratory tract infections such as the flu or pneumonia. Unlike asthma, the treatment of COPD features not only a long-term management of symptoms but also attempting to prevent the condition from worsening since it is a progressive illness. Medication, surgery, and lung treatments such as oxygen therapy are all treatment methods that can work to allow those suffering from COPD to lead the most active and healthy life possible. However, the most central step that Dr. Weisz will emphasize when beginning to create a treatment plan is a need to quit smoking which is necessary to prevent COPD from worsening and treatments to take hold.