Asthma Treatment Team Members: Who They Are, What They Do
Depending on the severity of your asthma symptoms and what healthcare professionals you have access to (which may be determined by what type of services are available in your geographical area and what’s covered under your insurance), you may find it helpful to find the following asthma care professionals who can work with you and coordinate with each other to form your treatment team.
A Primary Care Physician
This is the doctor who you may turn to you when you’re dealing with everyday health issues, like a stomach bug, a common cold, or the flu. A primary care physician is often the medical professional who initially diagnoses and perhaps even treats your asthma. But if they feel that your asthma is severe, or if you’re unable to get good control over your asthma symptoms, your doctor may refer you to an asthma specialist, such as an allergist-immunologist or a pulmonologist. (If your child has asthma, the doctor you’ll consult first may be a pediatrician, who may then refer you to a pediatric allergist-immunologist.) RELATED: What Type of Asthma Do I Have?
An Allergist-Immunologist
Allergies and asthma often go together — people who have allergies often also have asthma. The pollen, dust mites, pet dander, and mold that can cause hay fever symptoms can also trigger asthma symptoms, notes the American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (ACAAI). Allergist-immunologists are also trained asthma specialists, and they can work with you to identify triggers and to create an asthma treatment plan to help prevent attacks and reduce symptoms. “Most of the time, you’ll get pretty good care from either a primary care physician or an allergist,” says Alan Goldsobel, MD, an allergist-immunologist at Allergy and Asthma Associates of Northern California in San Jose. “But if you have persistent attacks that continue or reoccur very frequently, you may need to see an allergist.”
A Pulmonologist
A pulmonologist specializes in diseases that affect the respiratory system, including the lungs. Your primary care physician may recommend that you see this asthma specialist if you have complicated, difficult, or severe asthma. “Many pulmonary doctors are extremely knowledgeable and good at taking care of patients with asthma,” says Dr. Goldsobel.
An Otolaryngologist
Asthma has been linked to chronic sinus infections, according to the ACAAI. That’s where an ear, nose, and throat doctor, or ENT, may come in. An ENT may help diagnose and treat your asthma or any diseases or abnormalities with your airway or sinuses that may be causing asthma symptoms. An ENT may also help with any allergy problems that worsen asthma symptoms or cause asthma-like symptoms. “Asthma and chronic sinusitis frequently go together,” says Goldsobel.
A Nurse Practitioner
A nurse practitioner is a highly trained nurse who sometimes specializes in a particular field. A nurse practitioner can help take your complete medical history, give you a physical examination, and conduct some diagnostic procedures and testing. They’re also a valuable resource to help teach you the best ways to manage your asthma — so ask questions about your illness and your asthma treatment.
A Pulmonary Rehabilitation Therapist
If you’ve got severe asthma that prevents you from doing daily activities, getting regular exercise, or even just getting a good night’s sleep, your doctor may recommend that you see a pulmonary rehabilitation therapist. Pulmonary rehabilitation helps improve symptom control by educating you about asthma, exercise, and how to breathe properly. RELATED: 9 Things People With Severe Asthma Wish You Knew
A Pharmacist
When you’re having an asthma attack — or trying to prevent one with daily medication — your pharmacist is a good person to turn to. She can dispense your medication, answer your questions on side effects, warn you about interactions, and give you other helpful information to help your asthma medication work as effectively as possible.
Exercise Physiologist
If you experience shortness of breath, coughing, wheezing, or other asthma symptoms when you exercise, you may have exercise-induced bronchoconstriction, or EIB. EIB happens when the tubes that bring air into and out of your lungs narrow with exercise, causing asthma symptoms. An exercise physiologist can measure the lungs’ response to exercise and help develop an exercise and fitness program for people with EIB. And while most patients with asthma can work out without any problems, those who have severe asthma or who also have another lung condition such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disorder (COPD) may also benefit from working with an exercise physiologist, says Goldsobel.
Mental Healthcare Provider
Dealing with any chronic condition such as asthma can be challenging for the patient as well as his or her family. Working with a therapist, licensed clinical social worker, or another mental healthcare provider may be helpful. And since stress can be a contributor to asthma flares, talking to someone may also be an excellent way to manage your asthma.
Other Specialists Who May Play a Role in Your Asthma Symptom Management
In addition to the healthcare professionals listed above, you may want to consider adding one or more complementary medicine specialists to your asthma treatment team. But be sure to consult with your doctor before following any treatments or therapies recommended by any complementary medicine specialist. Some experts to consider include:
Yoga Specialist
Research shows that yoga may be help people with asthma learn how to control breathing and reduce stress, notes the Cleveland Clinic. Look for a yoga specialist who is trained to work with patients with chronic illness or pain, including asthma. RELATED: 6 Great Yoga Poses to Help With Asthma
Acupuncturist
Some research has suggested that acupuncture may reduce the need for inhaled steroids, particularly in children; but to date, there isn’t any definitive evidence that acupuncture can be used as an effective treatment for asthma, according to the Mayo Clinic. If you want to try acupuncture for your asthma symptoms, be sure to consult an experienced and licensed acupuncturist, preferably one that works with medical doctors. Not everyone will require every member of an asthma treatment team, but the more severe your asthma, the more care — and specialists — you may need. The goal of the asthma treatment team, no matter who the players are, is to work together to help bring your asthma symptoms under control. Additional reporting by Katherine Lee.
