Asthma

If you or your child has asthma, expert medical care is essential. At Henry Ford Health, you have a dedicated team of specialists, such as allergists, pulmonologists (lung specialists) and otolaryngologists (ear, nose and throat or ENT doctors) on your side. We use our combined expertise to deliver exceptional asthma care that focuses on your well-being and quality of life.

Why choose Henry Ford Health for asthma treatment?

We provide leading-edge diagnostic testing and asthma treatment for children and adults. Highlights of our care include:

• Partnership with pulmonology medicine: Patients with complex or challenging asthma cases benefit from our Comprehensive Asthma Program. This specialized clinic brings together allergists and pulmonologists, allowing us to address both allergic and lung-related concerns in a single visit.
• Advanced diagnostic tools: We provide a range of advanced tests to diagnose asthma, including advanced lung function tests that aren’t commonly available. We perform many of these tests in our office, making it easier and more convenient to get the answers you need.
• Comprehensive asthma education: Part of your care involves learning how to manage asthma in your everyday life. Our team answers your questions and provides the information and compassionate support you need to feel your best.
• Personalized treatment: Asthma affects everyone differently, so you need customized testing and therapy. We develop an asthma management plan tailored to your specific medical needs and lifestyle.
• Innovative research: Our physician-scientists are involved in leading-edge asthma research. As our patient, you have access to the latest therapies in our clinical trials before they become widely available.

How we diagnose asthma

Our experts offer state-of-the-art testing to determine the root causes of asthma and ensure a detailed diagnosis. The right tests are important because asthma can mimic other conditions, such as chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).

We support you throughout testing to ensure your safety and comfort. Tests we offer include:

FeNO (fractional exhaled nitric oxide) test

This noninvasive test measures inflammation in your airways, which can diagnose or rule out asthma when other tests have been inconclusive. FeNO testing also helps identify asthma triggers, which helps us determine the best treatment plan for you.

Nasopharyngoscopy

During this procedure, an allergy specialist guides a thin, flexible tube into your nose and throat to examine your airways. This test can help diagnose issues in your nose, throat, and voice box that may be contributing to breathing problems.

Pulmonary function tests

Our team offers specialized pulmonary tests, which provide detailed information about how your lungs are working. These tests can include:

• Cardiopulmonary tests, which show how well your lungs work when you’re active
• Lung diffusion tests, which determine how well your lungs move oxygen into your bloodstream
• Lung volume measurements, which measure how much air your lungs can hold
• Spirometry, which tracks the amount and speed of air moving in and out of your lungs

Asthma treatments we provide

Our team carefully evaluates your test results and health history to determine the best therapies for you. We also partner with other specialists when needed if you have other health conditions contributing to your asthma. From there, we create a detailed asthma action plan that gives you as many options as possible to help you avoid triggers and feel your best. These many include medications, allergen avoidance, and allergy shots.

Asthma medications

Most people with asthma need a control medication (to prevent attacks) and a rescue medication (to treat attacks). Many different medications are available, and each one addresses specific asthma triggers and types. That’s why an experienced asthma team is essential when choosing the medications that will work best for you.

Our specialists are at the forefront of the latest asthma medications. With our expertise, you can be confident that your therapy will be exactly tailored to your needs. We also partner with a specialized pharmacy team to provide advanced medications, such as biologics, for severe asthma. These medications target specific parts of your immune system to help stop inflammation that causes asthma symptoms.

Asthma education

Understanding how to manage asthma is a key part of your treatment. Our team provides the highest level of education and support to help you live your healthiest life. Our certified asthma educators guide you through how to:

• Use your inhaler
• Avoid your triggers
• Monitor your symptoms
• Set goals