If any of these scenarios apply to you, you should seek the care of an allergist-immunologist or a pulmonologist:. Your primary care physician may also be able to offer recommendations. When searching for an asthma doctor, look for someone who is board-certified as the doctors on the AAAAI website are , and if possible, try to find someone who is appropriate for your age group for instance, a pediatric allergist would likely be the best choice for a child.
When your asthma is under control, you may be able to drop your appointments down from once a month to a couple of times a year.
Some things you can expect from your asthma management:. By subscribing you agree to the Terms of Use and Privacy Policy. Health Topics. Health Tools. Reviewed: October 22, Medically Reviewed. Allergist-immunologists and pulmonologists may help you manage your asthma through their expertise in the following areas: Finding Triggers, Evaluating Treatment, and Tracking Progress Allergists can perform allergy tests to identify triggers, such as mold, pollen, dust, and animal dander, and educate patients on how to avoid them.
However, as long as you take the time to consider all of your options, you can find someone that fits your specific needs and is able to build a working relationship that will last for years to come. There are several different types of asthma doctors available, which you can choose from based on the factors listed above:. Most asthma can be managed by a family physician or other primary care physician such as an internist.
For parents of children with asthma, a pediatrician a medical professional with special training in caring for children is the first step to diagnosing and treating asthma. Many family practice physicians also treat pediatric patients. Pediatricians can also conduct preliminary tests, make a diagnosis, and recommend treatment options, as well as refer children to more specialized healthcare providers. A pulmonologist is a healthcare provider who specializes in preventing, diagnosing and treating lung and respiratory illnesses, which includes asthma as well as other breathing conditions.
Pulmonologists will be able to perform more in-depth testing when needed as well as give you a more comprehensive diagnosis than primary care physicians, due to their more specialized training in working with the lungs and respiratory system. A pulmonologist is either an adult or pediatric lung doctor. Allergists are commonly referred to people with allergic asthma because they are specialists who study the way that the body reacts to allergens, and what can be done to prevent responses such as asthma attacks.
An immunologist will help determine if your immune system is the cause of your asthma, or if you are instead experiencing nonallergic symptoms. Respiratory therapists treat asthma through breathing exercises that help restore the normal function of your lungs.
They also administer asthma treatments in a hospital setting as well as perform asthma education. Thankfully, there are several different steps you can take to begin the search, as well as to finalize your arrangement and begin working with a healthcare provider to treat your asthma.
It is important to consider, however, that you may not always find one practitioner that will treat your asthma. For example, many people combine the services of an allergist, primary care physician, and a respiratory therapist to take both a medicated and a more therapy-based approach to treating their symptoms. Where are some places you can look, or people you can ask for advice on how to find a healthcare provider for your asthma? Here are a few suggestions:.
One of the best places to start looking for asthma doctors is with your primary care physician or, in the case of children with asthma, their designated pediatrician. Even better, your healthcare provider or family doctor has experience with your medical history and understands the specifics of your condition, especially if you have other illnesses that need to be considered when treating your asthma; as a result, your recommended healthcare provider will be even more personalized.
Thanks to the power of the Internet, you have a wealth of information about asthma and asthma doctors at your fingertips. One of the best ways to learn about helpful and reliable asthma doctors is through personal recommendations from people you know and trust; not only are they more likely to be located in the area in which you live, but you can also approach them with the confidence of someone whose parent, friend or colleague received beneficial care and treatment with that healthcare provider.
You can ask around your social and family circles for advice, but also be prepared with several criteria to specify what you are looking for: for example, let people know that you want a practitioner who specializes in working with kids, for example. So what goes into knowing how to find a healthcare provider for your asthma? First, there are some factors that you need to consider. Although healthcare providers are prepared to treat patients of all ages and genders, you may want to consider finding a medical professional that is more specialized to fit your personal identity.
For example, older asthma patients may look for practitioners that are more experienced in working with the elderly, and parents of asthmatic children will want to have a pediatrician who specializes in working with kids as well as treating asthma. You need to be comfortable with your healthcare provider. Some people may be comfortable with a practitioner of the same gender while others will not care. In all likelihood, your healthcare provider's temperament, communication skills , and approach to medicine are more likely to be factors you will make a decision on.
Internists are skilled in treating and preventing chronic diseases in adults. After medical school, these doctors do three years of training in family medicine. They take a test to become board certified in family medicine. Some family doctors train to become board certified in two fields. Family doctors may also do additional training in specific areas. Family doctors provide care for adults and children. They treat a wide array of diseases.
After medical school, these doctors do a three-year training program in pediatrics. To become board certified in pediatrics, they must pass a test.
To maintain board certification, they must participate in five-year cycles of learning activities and take a test every ten years. Some pediatricians continue their training to specialize in one area.
Pediatricians treat a broad range of physical and mental conditions in children from birth to 21 years. Allergists and pulmonologists are specialists for asthma.
Allergists are experts in the immune system, allergies, and asthma. After medical school, these doctors go through three years of training in internal medicine or pediatrics. They take a test to become board certified in one of these fields. They do an additional two years of training in allergy and immunology. They must pass a test from the American Board of Allergy and Immunology. Allergists usually see patients outside the hospital. People with allergic asthma may be referred to an allergist.
Allergists perform allergy skin testing and prescribe allergy shots when appropriate. Pulmonologists are experts in lung disease in general.
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