lf you live in Oklahoma, you may think that it's "normal' to sneeze, have nasal congestion, post-nasal drip, cough all the time.
Oklahoma City is the number one city in the United States for allergies and asthma. Because the crazy winds on the plains bring all the allergens to us all day long (pollen, grasses, etc) and our sinuses and lungs become affected by that. lt may only take a few months or you may succumb to allergies and asthma symptoms after you've lived in Oklahoma for many years, depending on the individual.
If you cough for more than 7 days when you get a "cold" virus, or get frequent "colds" or get pneumonia, or can no longer walk or run as far as you used to, chances are good that you have at least a mild case of asthma. This can happen very gradually such that you might not realize the impact on you, until you realize that you are tired and you are no longer moving around much.
I am happy to work a patient in "same day" for these symptoms. It's not necessary for you to go to the emergency room to get help., and even if you do, you will only get help for THAT day. You will likely need help for the days and possibly weeks after that in many cases.
lf you go to an allergy clinic you might see a nurse there and allergy doctors do not hospitalize patients for asthma. I always see every patient myself and if the occasional case gets out of control, I have the training to do the hospitalization care too. Pulmonary doctors do see asthma patients in the office but spend most of their time seeing asthma patients in the hospital, because large numbers of patients are not under treatment for their asthma or have very severe asthma and end up needing to be on ventilators in the lCU. ln some cases, no office doctor has ever taught them how to improve their asthma/treat their asthma.
I get a iot of satisfaction in teaching patients how to bring their asthma under control because I see what a big difference in can mean in the quality of their lives.
