Healthy Steps
If you or a loved one suffers from asthma, you want experienced medical care you can trust. At Healthy Steps in Silver Spring, Maryland, Dr. Husna Baksh diagnoses and treats patients suffering from asthma symptoms. Healthy Steps offers diagnostic testing to determine lung function and health. Dr. Baksh and her medical team use these tests to recommend treatment plans that control asthma symptoms, giving patients improved quality of life.
"Everyone at this practice is very professional, detail oriented, and friendly. They really hear your concerns and thrive to make you feel 100% taken care of."
Dr. Husna Baksh is amazing and she keeps awesome people around her. She's knowledgeable, funny, and full of energy. She truly cares about her patients and thoroughly makes sure her patients are doing well.
"I just had a wonderful experience at Healthy Steps. I have many chronic health issues that can be complex and difficult to manage. Dr. Baksh took the time to listen and work with me to determine the best course of treatment. It was a very collaborative appointment."
"I'm thankful for Dr Baksh and her staff who provide extraordinary care and competence."
"The staff at Healthy Steps is excellent. They introduce themselves; explain what they are doing and why; and always treat me with respect. They listen to my questions and answer them fully."
Asthma Q & A
What is asthma?
Asthma is a common chronic disease that impacts your ability to breathe. People with asthma experience periods of coughing, wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. The condition is often diagnosed in childhood. Current statistics show that over 25 million people in the United States suffer from asthma.
When asthma flares up, it’s often called an “asthma attack.” During an attack, your airways become inflamed and swollen, blocking the passage of air to your lungs. Without intervention, your airways may continue to tighten and symptoms can become severe and even fatal. If you experience a severe asthma attack, you need to seek immediate emergency medical care.
What triggers asthma symptoms?
There are many common triggers for asthma, and knowing which ones you’re sensitive to can help deter sudden attacks. For many people, exposure to pollen or airborne pollutants can trigger an asthma attack. Animal hair and dander are also common allergens linked to asthma. For some people, physical activity can also cause wheezing and shortness of breath associated with asthma. Stress, sinus infections, and even sleep apnea have also been linked to asthma symptoms.
How is asthma treated and controlled?
Asthma is a chronic condition, but it can be managed and controlled. At Healthy Steps, treatment plans are customized for each patient and may include daily medication, lifestyle modifications, and fast-acting inhalers. Dr. Baksh may also recommend immunotherapy if your asthma is triggered by allergies.
Asthma treatment plans can improve or prevent the following:
- Symptoms like wheezing and coughing
- Dependence on fast-acting inhalers
- Poor lung function
- Allergy-induced symptoms
- Sleep problems
- Serious attacks that result in ER visits
How do quick-relief asthma medications work?
If you feel the symptoms of asthma coming on, you want to breathe easier as quickly as possible. At Healthy Steps, Dr. Baksh offers prescription medications that quickly relieve wheezing and shortness of breath. Quick-acting inhalers are the most common treatments for asthma because they relax bronchial muscles and open constricted airways fast. Although these types of medications are very useful, if you rely on them more than twice a week, talk with Dr. Baksh about a treatment plan that effectively controls asthma by reducing inflammation.
