Asthma Center
The Asthma Center unites world-renowned physicians in multiple fields and the most advanced technologies in patient-centered facilities to provide the highest quality asthma care. We focus on several areas:
- Educating patients on asthma
- Serving patients with the most current therapies for asthma
- Implementing patient tailored asthma management plans
Despite the development of effective treatments for asthma, many aspects of asthma are not fully understood, and there is no cure. The Asthma Center also conducts asthma research to advance our understanding of the disease. A better understanding of asthma will lead to new treatments, which will help asthma patients live longer and healthier lives.
WHAT IS ASTHMA?
- Asthma is a disease of chronic airway inflammation
- The airways become inflamed and narrowed which can restrict air into and out of the lungs.
- Although asthma cannot be cured, it can be controlled
SYMPTOMS:
- Wheezing
- Coughing
- Chest tightness
- Shortness of breath
Specific triggers to symptoms may be:
- Colds and viral infections
- Allergies like dust mites, molds, pollen or animals
- Bacterial infections like sinusitis
- Secondhand smoke
- Physical exertion or excitement
- Stress
Our Services
HOW IS ASTHMA DIAGNOSED?
The staff of the UI Hospital Asthma Center take many factors into account including medical history, physical examination and laboratory tests.These lab tests may include:
- Pulmonary Function Test
- Allergy Skin Tests
- Inhalation Challenges: Methacholine
- Exercise with pulmonary function testing
- Vocal cord evaluation
HOW IS ASTHMA TREATED?
Today, multiple options are available to treat people easily and safely.
- Long-term control medications: used on a daily basis to prevent attacks, not for treatment during an attack
- Quick relief/rescue medications: used to relieve symptoms during an attack
Following an asthma management plan developed with the staff of the UI Hospital Asthma Center will reduce the risk of serious attacks.
Our Team
Despite the development of effective treatments for asthma, there is no cure. A better understanding of asthma will lead to new treatments, which will help asthma patients live longer and healthier lives.
We have an active research program in asthma. Study participants can benefit by learning more about asthma, being evaluated by experts and getting lung function testing.
CURRENT ASTHMA RESEARCH:
- Effect of aging on asthma
- Role of life stressors in asthma
- Differences in airway inflammation in asthma
Asthma Center Faculty and Staff
- Sharmilee Nyenhuis, MD, Allergy/Immunology
- Naveed Akhtar, MD, Allergy/Immunology
- Susan Corbridge PhD, APN, AE-C, Certified Asthma Educator
- Gye Young Park, MD, Pulmonary
- John Christman, MD, Pulmonary
Our Locations
UI Hospital Asthma Center
Nutrition and Wellness Center
1800 W. Taylor St., Suite 1C
Chicago, IL 60612
To make an appointment, please call 866.600.CARE