Asthma doctors in Charlotte
Asthma that keeps you up at night coughing, or has you reaching for your rescue inhaler too often, isn’t under control. Our providers in Charlotte test your breathing in the clinic, give breathing treatments for flare-ups, and help you build a plan with the right inhalers so you have fewer and milder attacks.
- ✓ Breathing tests (spirometry) done in the clinic
- ✓ Breathing treatments and corticosteroids when clinically appropriate
- ✓ Rescue and controller inhalers prescribed and adjusted
- ✓ A written asthma action plan
- ✓ Two Charlotte clinics, open 7 days a week, walk-ins welcome
- ✓ Referral to a lung or allergy specialist when you need one
For a non-severe flare-up, walk in for assessment. Follow your asthma action plan and use your prescribed reliever. Call 911 if breathing is very difficult or your medicine is not relieving the attack. Do not wait for an appointment. For long-term care, apply to be a primary care patient; our team aims to call within 1 to 2 business days.
On this page
SymptomsWhy treat itBreathing testsHow we treat itWhen to call 911Near youBecome a patientInsuranceOur clinics
Asthma symptoms and triggers
Asthma narrows the airways in your lungs and makes it harder to breathe. The CDC lists:
- Wheezing
- Shortness of breath
- Chest tightness
- Coughing, especially at night or early in the morning
Source: CDC, About Asthma
Things like pollen, exercise, colds and other viral infections, or cold air can set off or worsen asthma. Knowing your triggers is part of your plan.
Source: NHLBI, What Is Asthma?
Why get asthma under control, even when you feel fine
Asthma has no cure, but it can be controlled. Without the right treatment:
- Attacks can come on quickly or slowly, and NHLBI says they may be life-threatening
- Asthma that isn’t well treated can bring attacks more often
- Night coughing and shortness of breath can keep you from sleep, work and exercise
Source: NHLBI, Asthma Attack
The good news: the CDC says controller medicines help you have fewer and milder asthma attacks. If you use your rescue inhaler often, that’s a sign your asthma needs a better plan.
Source: CDC, About Asthma
Breathing tests in the clinic
Your provider listens to your lungs and asks about your symptoms and triggers. A breathing test called spirometry shows how well your lungs are working. We offer spirometry in the clinic when appropriate. Some patients need additional testing or specialist evaluation; young children may not be able to perform the test reliably.
Source: CDC, About Asthma
How we treat asthma
| Step | What it means for you |
|---|---|
| Flare-ups | After assessing your breathing, your provider may give an inhaled breathing treatment to open the airways and prescribe a short course of corticosteroids, by mouth or injection when appropriate, to reduce inflammation. Severe attacks need emergency care. |
| Rescue inhaler | Reliever medicine treats symptoms when they occur. Follow your written action plan for which inhaler to use and when. |
| Controller medicine | Controller treatment reduces airway inflammation and helps prevent attacks. Some prescribed combination inhalers serve as both controller and reliever; your provider explains the plan that fits you. |
| Your action plan | A written plan that says which medicine to use, when, and what to do if symptoms get worse, including when to get help. |
| Your triggers | Your provider helps you find and avoid what sets off your asthma. |
| Specialists | If your asthma stays hard to control, we’re happy to find you higher-level care with a lung or allergy specialist. |
Sources: NHLBI, Asthma Attack and CDC, About Asthma
Smoker, or over 40 with a cough that won’t go away? Ask about COPD. See all the chronic conditions we manage.
When to call 911
- Your medicines aren’t relieving your symptoms during an attack
- Breathing is still very hard
- Lips or skin look blue
- Someone seems drowsy, confused or has a very fast heartbeat
- Anything seems life-threatening
Source: NHLBI, Asthma Attack
Asthma care near you in Charlotte
Looking for an asthma doctor near you? Walk in for a non-severe flare-up assessment or an appropriate breathing test. Call 911 for severe breathing difficulty or an attack not relieved by your prescribed medicine. Plaza Midwood is a short drive from NoDa, Elizabeth and Uptown. Steele Creek is close to Berewick, Lake Wylie, Fort Mill and Ballantyne.
| Clinic | Close to |
|---|---|
| Steele Creek | Steele Creek, Berewick, Rivergate, Lake Wylie, Fort Mill, Pineville, South Charlotte, Ballantyne and southwest Charlotte |
| Plaza Midwood | Plaza Midwood, NoDa, Elizabeth, Midtown, Uptown, Villa Heights and east Charlotte |
Become a patient for asthma care
Apply online, and our team calls you within 1 to 2 business days. Your first visit is an annual physical at our Steele Creek clinic, where your provider reviews your history, medicines and labs. After that, follow-ups can be at either clinic, and you can walk in for non-severe worsening symptoms. For severe breathing difficulty or an attack not relieved by your medicine, call 911.
Our primary care is for adults, so children’s long-term asthma care should be with a pediatrician. For non-severe asthma flare-ups, our urgent care sees patients 3 months and older. Severe attacks need emergency care.
Insurance
- Copay: paid at your visit.
- Coinsurance: collected at your visit.
- Deductible: if you still owe part of your deductible, we bill your insurance first, then send you a bill for the rest.
Insurance: Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO plans, Aetna, Cigna, UnitedHealthcare, Humana and TRICARE East. We don’t take HMO plans tied to one doctor or hospital system.
Medicare: Original Medicare and most Medicare Advantage plans.
Check with your insurance plan about your coverage, including for lab tests. HSA and FSA cards are accepted.
Our clinics in Charlotte
| Clinic | What’s here |
|---|---|
| Steele Creek | 2114 Freeman Park Dr, Suite 105, Charlotte, NC 28273. (980) 880-5588. First visits (annual physicals), follow-ups, walk-ins. |
| Plaza Midwood | 2017 Central Ave, Suite 103, Charlotte, NC 28205. (704) 731-8656. Follow-ups and walk-ins. |
| Hours (both) | Monday to Friday 8am to 8pm; Saturday and Sunday 9am to 5pm |
Apply to be a patientCome in today
Sources
This page is general information, not medical advice for your situation. Your provider decides the treatment that fits your health.
Related care
Chronic careCOPDPrimary careAnnual physicalsLab work
Updated
Related care: COPD testing, flare-up assessment and ongoing care.
