Dr. Duncan McCormick

Asthma, an inflammation of the airways, is a prevalent disease that can cause life-threatening symptoms. Asthma can be diagnosed in anyone, from newborns to the elderly. While some may think that asthma is solely characterized by wheezing and treated only with an inhaler, that isn’t the case. “Asthma is much more than wheezing,” said Dr. Duncan McCormick, allergist and immunologist for Trinity Health of Minot. “Symptoms can be absent in an asthmatic patient.” “Others may think an inhaler is an inhaler,” he said. “We think it’s important for patients to realize that inhaled therapies have different effects and different roles to play in their treatment.” Asthma, McCormick explained, is an allergic lung disease, and allergic triggers are major and significant problems within asthma. Risk factors for the disease include a family history of asthma or fatal asthma, or being exposed to allergens.