Two types of doctors treat asthma: allergists and pulmonologists. It is important that you see the right one to get the most effective treatment for your condition. How can the average person discern which medical doctor to see and not waste time going to the wrong one?
To help you with this, let’s talk about the difference between an allergist and a pulmonologist.
Allergist
An allergist is a doctor that specializes in immunology. An allergic reaction is an immunological response, and an allergist has in-depth knowledge and extensive training in diagnosing and treating allergies.
You may be better off seeing an allergist if your asthma symptoms develop from environmental factors or food. Examples of environmental allergens include dust mites, mold, cockroaches, pet dander, harsh cleaning chemicals, smoke, and air pollution. Examples of food allergens include wheat, dairy, peanuts, tree nuts, and shellfish.
Do you have reason to believe that any one of the aforementioned is causing your asthma symptoms? If yes, you may have allergy-induced asthma. An allergist is most qualified to help manage this type of asthma.
Pulmonologist
A pulmonologist is a doctor with training in pulmonary medicine, which is a sub-specialty that focuses on the diagnosis and treatment of conditions that affect the respiratory system. The respiratory system is composed of organs and tissues that help you breathe, which start from the nose and end in the lungs.
Examples of conditions that a pulmonologist treats include bronchitis, emphysema, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), pulmonary hypertension, cystic fibrosis, tuberculosis, and lung cancer. A pulmonologist also treats asthma triggered by stress and exercise, not allergy-induced asthma. If your asthma symptoms do not seem to be triggered by environmental factors or food, you may be better off seeing a pulmonologist.
The severity of asthma symptoms is another key indicator of what type of asthma you have. If you’ve had a life-threatening asthma attack or have been to the emergency room for it, it’s best to see a pulmonologist, for their in-depth knowledge of lung and airway issues ensures you get the best possible treatment. Moreover, if you have a chronic lung condition or respiratory illness and disease plus asthma, a pulmonologist is most qualified to treat patients with one or more lung conditions.
Allergy and Pulmonology Treatment in Weatherford, TX
At Lung & Sleep Specialists of North Texas, our lung specialists can treat patients with both allergy-induced or non-allergic asthma. We will find out what type of asthma you have through comprehensive diagnostic testing and design a treatment plan that addresses it perfectly. Whether you have allergy-induced asthma or non-allergic asthma that’s due to stress, exercise, and other factors, our specialists can help you breathe better.
We are committed to helping you effectively manage your asthma symptoms. To schedule a consultation with one of our doctors, call our clinic at (817) 594-9993 or use our appointment request form. We look forward to serving you!
