Do you wake up in the middle of the night coughing or short of breath? Do use your albuterol inhaler more than three or four times a week? Have you recently gone to the ER because of your asthma? If you answered yes to any of these questions, your asthma is likely not under control.
The Saint Louis University Health Resource Center’s Allergy and Asthma Clinic operates free of charge to patients who are looking to manage their asthma and allergies. All visitors to clinic will see Dr. Raymond Slavin, professor emeritus of Allergy and Immunology at Saint Louis University. Slavin has been practicing medicine for over 50years and has won multiple community awards for his efforts in helping those who battle with allergies and asthma.
Slavin said he enjoys continuing to practice medicine at the clinic, especially knowing he is treating a group of people that may find it hard to obtain care.
“We’re dealing with reversible diseases that almost uniformly benefit from care and environmental control. The great majority of allergic patients can feel better,” he said.
There are steps that asthma and allergy sufferers can take to help control their symptoms.
“The most important approach is environmental control, or reducing the exposure of the individual to the substances that trigger their asthma.” said Slavin. “If you have an allergy to seasonal inhalants like grasses, weeds, trees and mold, the windows should be kept closed both at home and in the car.”
In addition to environmental control, medications are an important part of managing asthma.
“Patients need to take medications on a regular basis,” said Slavin. “One of the hardest things to understand is that you have to continue to take a controller inhaler even when you feel fine.”
Many patients tend to rely on their albuterol inhaler, which is designed to be a rescue for emergencies and is not for everyday use.
Persons interested in an appointment should reach out to the HRC’s Allergy and Asthma Clinic at 314-266-7661. It is located on the second floor of the old Victor Roberts Building, Suite 213, 1408 N. Kingshighway. The clinic is held every other Wednesday from 1 p.m. to 4 p.m. by appointments only.
The clinic provides breathing tests, allergy skin tests, medications and counseling on long-term health maintenance for adults as well as children 5 years and older, all free of charge.
Upcoming clinic dates are Sept. 21 and Oct. 5. Call 314-266-7661 to schedule an appointment.
