Allergy and Asthma Specialists at AFC Urgent Care

Note: If you are unable to breathe, walk, or stand, or you notice blue coloring around your mouth, seek IMMEDIATE MEDICAL ATTENTION and go to an emergency room.

Asthma is a chronic lung condition that affects many children and adults. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing (whistling sound heard when breathing), chest tightness, and shortness of breath, making breathing difficult. Symptoms vary by person and may be infrequent and occur only with certain triggers -such as exercise or allergies- or may be a persistent condition with symptoms present all the time. Severe attacks can even be life-threatening.

Asthma is challenging enough to deal with, preventing you from engaging or participating freely in a host of activities and causing you to live with uncertainty as to when the next attack might occur. At AFC Urgent Care locations, our board-certified providers, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, and medical professionals all have extensive experience in dealing with asthma. We would be happy to provide you with excellent care!

What Treatments Exist For Asthma?

There are a variety of treatments for asthma. At AFC Urgent Care locations, our providers are always here to evaluate and address patients to understand a patient’s history with asthma and determine options to address the symptoms. There are quick relievers and long-term control medications. There are bronchodilators and other anti-inflammatory medications. Consultations with our providers will, some of which are quick relievers to long-term control medicines, and those that use inhalers, nebulizers, or another medium:

Even with treatment, you will still need to do your best to avoid triggers as much as possible to mitigate symptoms and prevent an asthma attack. For more information on asthma treatments and those we provide contact your local AFC Urgent Care center.

When Should You See A Provider For Asthma?

While seeing your provider at least once a year if you have asthma is essential, it is not always clear whether you should see a provider for specific symptoms you may be experiencing! For your convenience, here are a few signs to look out for which indicate that you should seek the medical attention of a medical provider as soon as possible:

• Abnormal wheezing whenever you breathe in or out
• Difficulty performing day-to-day tasks, such as cooking, laundry, or taking out the garbage
• Dizziness, faintness, or weakness
• A persistent cough that won't go away
• Wheezing that worsens after you have taken medication and given time for it to start working

While the above are signs that an asthma attack may be imminent, the following are symptoms that an asthma attack has already begun, for which you must receive medical attention immediately, either at an urgent care clinic or the emergency room:

• Bluish color on the face, lips, or nails
• Collapsing or fainting
• Confusion or exhaustion
• Difficulty speaking
• Gasping
• Intense shortness of breath
• Rapid breathing, coughing, or wheezing
• Straining chest muscles while trying to breathe

Can I Go To Urgent Care For Asthma?

You certainly can! In fact, urgent care centers are an excellent place to go for any sudden asthma symptoms you experience because they allow walk-in appointments, operate on a first-come, first-served basis, and are significantly less expensive than emergency room services. As such, urgent care centers offer the same convenience as an emergency room without the inconvenience of long wait times and high costs. Moreover, attending an urgent care center does not mean receiving medical attention from less qualified providers, as AFC Urgent Care locations has at least one board-certified provider on-site! We can also forward any information regarding your appointment with us to your primary care provider.

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