POLLEN COUNT
You may not know this, but there is a direct correlation between asthma and obesity: obesity can actually cause asthma. Approximately 11% of obese adults have asthma, as compared to just 7% of adults who have a normal BMI (body mass index). BMI is calculated by a person’s weight divided by their height.
Obesity is a medical condition that requires treatment – not just to improve the patient’s quality of life, but also to reduce the health risks associated with obesity. These risks include heart disease, premature osteoarthritis, and respiratory conditions such as asthma.
Let’s talk about how losing weight can help you improve your asthma, and where you can go for an efficient evaluation and treatment of your asthma symptoms.
How Your Weight Can Affect Your Asthma
Enlarged fat cells produce inflammatory compounds that can cause widespread chronic inflammation in the body. Because asthma causes the airways to become inflamed, an obese person is also more likely to suffer from worse asthma symptoms than someone with a normal BMI. Moreover, excess weight in the abdomen contributes to constriction of the lungs, which can make it harder to breathe.
How Treating Obesity Can Improve Asthma Symptoms
Asthma treatment for obese patients should therefore include medical intervention for obesity. This is more than just diet and exercise, but also gradual lifestyle changes – gradual so as to not shock the body, and to be effective over the long term.
Medical weight loss involves nutrition counseling, recommendations for behavioral or lifestyle changes, and prescription weight-loss medication to be used on a short-term basis. The medication is formulated to thwart hunger.
Obese patients with asthma who have undergone treatment for obesity, specifically regular physical activity over 12 weeks, reported a noticeable improvement in their nighttime asthma symptoms. As an obese asthmatic patient loses weight, there will be a natural decrease in inflammation throughout the body, including in the lungs and airways.
Asthma and Allergy Treatment in Northeastern Illinois
Our board-certified medical allergists here at Oak Brook Allergists take a holistic approach to treating our asthma patients. This involves treating asthma patients who have all kinds of other underlying health issues. We have many decades of combined experience in diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma, and we are here for you and your whole family.
Each patient’s treatment is personalized, and we do treat patients of all ages. Our goal is not just to help you breathe better, but also to help you become healthier overall.
If you have any questions or would like to consult with one of our allergy doctors, contact our friendly staff today by calling us at (630) 574-0460 or by filling out our easy-to-use appointment request form online now. We look forward to being your healthcare partner!
