Asthma can often be a challenge for many people to overcome. The maintenance that is required to handle asthma on your own can be difficult and can even cause you to feel isolated from the rest of the world. You may not be up for the outdoor adventures that your family and friends want to go on and may find yourself feeling reclusive more often than not. Fortunately, you don't have to manage your asthma alone. Dr. Arthur Katz has been treating asthma patients in the in Merrillville and Munster, IN, and Olympia Fields, IL area for years and wants to extend his knowledge of treating asthma to you and how he can help you overcome the challenges you are facing.

Treating Asthma

While there is no cure for asthma, there are dozens of treatment options available that can help you manage your condition. Let's take a closer look at some of the treatment options that we have available here at our practice.

Inhalers

Inhalers are a major part of asthma treatment. They can help you experience immediate relief whenever asthma symptoms begin to pop up and can even prevent symptoms from worsening. Here are a few different inhaler types you can use.

• Reliever inhalers are oftentimes blue and they are the aforementioned type of inhaler that can help relieve symptoms whenever they begin to occur.
• Preventer inhalers can help prevent the symptoms from happening and are often recommended if you are constantly using a reliever inhaler. These can stop inflammation that is common in the airways of an asthmatic patient.
• Combination Inhalers are usually a third option if the previous two options do not work for you. This will help you control your asthma more effectively and is important to use regularly.

Tablets

Tablets can be taken in tandem with inhalers depending on the severity of your condition. Here are some of the most common types of tablets that are available for treatment purposes.

• Leukotriene receptor antagonists (LTRAs) are daily tablets that are taken to reduce the symptoms of asthma.
• Theophylline is another type of tablet that may be recommended depending on the severity of your asthma.
• Steroids may be a third option for immediate relief if your asthma is not being controlled by the previous two tablets.

Other Options

Finally, there are other more specialized options available for you if you need to seek relief from asthma. These are recommended by your doctor here in Munster, IN depending on the severity of your asthma.

• Injections can be used that are usually referred to as biological therapies that are taken every few weeks to help control the symptoms of asthma.
• Surgery can be offered as a last resort to pass a tube into your throat that can prevent the narrowing of airways that is exacerbating your condition.

Whatever the reason is, let Dr. Katz help you with your asthma treatments. Dr. Arthur Katz in Merrillville and Munster, IN, and Olympia Fields, IL invites you to visit our practice so he can extend his hand to you in your time of need. Contact us today to schedule your appointment or to inquire about anything asthma related. We'll be ready to help you when you need help with the problems that asthma brings. Call today for more information at (219) 934-9396 for the office in Munster, IN, (219) 769-8441 for the office in Merrillville, IN, and (708) 747-6900 for the office in Olympia Fields, IL.