Asthma & COPD

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are two of the most common chronic upper respiratory conditions. At his private practice in Flossmoor, Illinois, board-certified internist Sameh Nabelsi, MD, offers comprehensive care for both asthma and COPD. After an exam and discussion of your symptoms, Dr. Nabelsi can make personalized treatment recommendations. Call the office today to make an appointment or book online.

What are asthma and COPD?

Asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) are diseases that affect the lungs. They present similar symptoms, but aren’t the same thing:

Asthma

Asthma causes your lungs to become inflamed and produce excess mucus. Often, it’s triggered by something in the environment, such as pollen or pet dander. 

COPD

COPD is an umbrella term for several diseases that damage the alveoli –– tiny sacs in the lungs. The most common cause of COPD is smoking, but it can also occur because of exposure to chemicals or toxins.

What are the symptoms of asthma and COPD?

• Coughing
• Shortness of breath
• Wheezing
• Frequent respiratory infections
• Chest tightness
• Lack of energy

The severity of symptoms affects everyone differently. For some people, they’re a minor annoyance, but for others, they’re severe or potentially life-threatening.

How are asthma and COPD diagnosed?

Dr. Nabelsi reviews your medical history and asks about your symptoms and lifestyle, including if you smoke or have been exposed to other lung irritants. Next, he listens to your lungs with a stethoscope and orders several pulmonary function tests, including:

Spirometry

This test measures how much air your lungs can hold and how quickly you can breathe out (exhale). Lower-than-average readings often indicate a problem with the lungs.

Peak flow

This test measures how forcefully you can exhale (breathe out). A lower-than-average reading means your asthma is getting worse.

Dr. Nabelsi may also order chest X-rays or a CT scan to get a closer look at your lungs and lung tissue.

How are asthma and COPD treated?

There’s no cure for asthma or COPD, but various treatments can reduce uncomfortable symptoms and improve your quality of life. 

Asthma

If you have asthma, Dr. Nabelsi recommends avoiding things that trigger your symptoms and taking prescription medication to keep your symptoms under control. Several drugs are used to treat asthma, including corticosteroids, combination inhalers, and leukotriene modifiers.

COPD

If you have COPD, Dr. Nabelsi encourages you to quit smoking. This can be hard, but it’s absolutely necessary to prevent lung damage from worsening. Dr. Nabelsi may also prescribe medication to reduce uncomfortable symptoms, such as bronchodilators or inhaled corticosteroids.

Call the practice of Sameh Nabelsi, MD, today to receive treatment for asthma or COPD, or book your appointment online.