UCLA Health has opened a new program dedicated to the diagnosis and treatment of asthma and chronic breathing problems at its UCLA Health Thousand Oaks Hampshire Primary & Specialty Care clinic.
The Adult Asthma Program, led by pulmonologists Maryum Merchant, MD, Samuel Haslam, MD, May-Lin Wilgus, MD, and Jonathan Chan, MD comprises a diverse team of healthcare providers including respiratory therapists, sleep specialists, allergists, ENTs and integrative medicine practitioners working collaboratively to provide patients with multi-disciplinary and personalized approach to asthma care, management and prevention.
Asthma is a chronic lung disease caused by inflammation and muscle tightening around the airways. Symptoms include trouble breathing (shortness of breath), wheezing, coughing (especially at night or during exercise) and tightness or pain in the chest. It is commonly diagnosed in childhood, but many people develop the condition as adults. The condition affects approximately 22 million nationwide, and more than 5.7 million people California.
“While asthma can be triggered by allergens or in response to respiratory infections, pollution and exercise, the current extreme heat, dry winds and wildfire smoke increases health risks and asthma attacks,” says Dr. Wilgus, who recently published research on the impact of wildfire pollution on people with severe asthma and COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease). “And since wildfire pollution can affect people over an area 10 to 15 times larger than the actual fire, more people may be at risk for developing breathing problems.”
Patients seen at the Adult Asthma Clinic will have access to a variety of testing and treatment options, including an on-site pulmonary function laboratory to establish diagnoses, monitor treatment and track progress; pulmonary respiratory therapy education, including proper inhaler use and management of disease triggers; and newest medications including inflammation-reducing biologics to manage symptoms.
“Appropriate education, prevention strategies and the latest treatment options can prevent or reduce attacks – and can help patients have a better quality of life,” said Dr. Merchant. “Since one in four people in California have been diagnosed with asthma, this program can make a real difference to the people in Los Angeles and Ventura counties.”
The UCLA Health Adult Asthma program is open Monday – Friday from 8 am to 5 pm and is located at 248 Hampshire Road, Suite 100 in Thousand Oaks. To make an appointment or for more information, call (805) 370-0040 or visit UCLA Health Thousand Oaks Primary & Specialty Care.
