subject: Choose Your Asthma Doctor With Care [print this page] Choose Your Asthma Doctor With Care
Asthma is a chronic illness, meaning this condition is recurring and long lasting. Every year, a significant number of deaths occur in the United States as a result of asthma, and more than 500,000 Americans are hospitalized with severe symptoms. At the very least, an asthmatic person may feel miserable if an asthma attack is left untreated; while the very worst outcome may lead to hospitalization for a severe asthma attack.
Choosing a doctor with whom you are comfortable plays a significant role in your health care. Asthma sufferers will have a lot more considerations to think about when choosing a doctor. However, it has to be noted, that about 90 percent of children and 50 percent of adults who suffer from asthma, have asthma that is triggered by some underlying allergy. Identifying and learning to control these allergies, and allergens, can lead to better control of asthma.
When asthma becomes severe, it is not advisable to allow a general practitioner or any other physician to handle the matter. Instead, you should look for an asthma specialist to address this issue. A pulmonologist/ allergist who has specialized knowledge of pulmonary (lung) conditions is the type of asthma specialist you want to choose to treat your condition.
In order to locate the best specialist for your condition you can seek referrals from your regular doctor or search the Internet. Besides personal and professional recommendations, other things to consider when choosing a doctor include:
Is the doctor is a good communicator or not? The doctor should listen carefully, answer your questions to your satisfaction, and explain things clearly.
See if the recommended specialist has the proper credentials. He or she should be accredited and board certified.
The asthma specialist should be conveniently located, and should also have convenient office hours that fit your schedule.
Your choice of an asthma specialist should also take into account insurance coverage. Find out which insurance plans are accepted by the specialist.
Find out how comfortable you are with their office and billing staff.
Each of the above factors can have varying importance for anyone with a pre-existing asthmatic condition. It is important that your doctor monitor you very carefully when prescribing any new medication. You may need a second opinion if your symptoms are still interfering with your daily activities or giving you sleepless nights.
Finally, in order to cope with a chronic illness such as asthma, it is essential to establish a trusting and comfortable relationship with an asthma specialist who is experienced in treating patients with the disease.
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