The welcome colors of spring—the brilliant reds, yellows, pinks and blues—have luxuriously spread in our gardens and storefronts. These colors signal the approach of summer and the promise of beautiful days to come. But for some, the fresh growing season brings an unwanted complication—breathing difficulties.
I’m having trouble breathing
When you suffer from allergies to dust, pollen, food or insect bites, or when your asthma flares up, your chest can feel tight, your breathing can become restricted, and you can begin wheezing or struggling for breath. For some people, these symptoms can start suddenly and can rapidly become serious.
I’ve never had problems before
“Breathing difficulties related to seasonal environmental factors can develop at any stage in life,” said Advance ER physician Dr. Nick Peters. “When you start to feel any kind of difficulty breathing, you should come in right away and let us take a look. Most cases can be treated quickly before they become problematic.”
If left untreated, some severe allergy symptoms run the risk of escalating into anaphylaxis, which can be a life-threatening condition. Anaphylaxis occurs when the body goes into shock as a reaction to the irritant. The patient’s blood pressure drops, the pulse becomes rapid and weak, breathing is short and difficult, and nausea and vomiting can occur. The patient may lose consciousness and faint.
What next?
Patients with a known history of severe reactions may find it crucial to carry an epinephrine auto-injector. “If you have a history of breathing difficulties, your doctor may prescribe an EpiPen®. When you come to Advance ER, we can also administer the necessary medications and treatments to follow up your care,” said Dr. Peters.
I need help now
When it comes to problems with breathing, you want help fast. Our two convenient Dallas locations in Park Cities and Galleria Area are open 24/7 with No Wait, giving you the immediate access to board-certified emergency medicine physicians and advanced technology needed to address your breathing difficulties. Come right away for fast care. At Advance ER, you get the right care in the right place at the right time.
Meet Dr. Nick Peters
Nick Peters, M.D., FACEP, is board-certified in emergency medicine. He received his medical degree from Creighton University School of Medicine, Omaha, NE, and he completed residencies in emergency medicine from LAC King/Drew Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, and University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ.
Dr. Peters’ two decades of experience includes his past positions as the Medical Director and Chairman of Emergency Medicine for a major hospital, Regional Medical Director, and Vice President of Medical Operations for a national health care provider. He transitioned from corporate medicine to become a founding Managing Partner and the Chief Medical Officer for Advance ER where his commitment to quality patient service continues.
