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Asthma in Long Beach

Advanced asthma care in Long Beach with expert diagnosis, cutting-edge treatments, and customized plans for lasting relief.

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Personalized Asthma Care Backed by Experience

Asthma Diagnosis and Treatment at Modena Allergy & Asthma

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we understand asthma on a personal level. Our founder, Dr. Brian Modena, has lived with asthma his entire life—fueling his commitment to advancing treatment through research, innovation, and compassionate care.

Our approach goes beyond symptom control. We dig deep to identify the root causes of your asthma, uncover hidden triggers, and deliver data-driven solutions tailored to your unique needs. From advanced testing to personalized treatment plans, our team combines cutting-edge science with years of experience treating even the most complex cases.

Whether your asthma is mild or severe, our goal is to help you breathe easier, live more freely, and regain control of your health—starting from your very first visit.

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Asthma Care at a Glance

  • Thorough Diagnosis: We take a 360° view of your symptoms to rule out other conditions that can mimic asthma, such as GERD, vocal cord dysfunction, or bronchiectasis—ensuring an accurate diagnosis from the start.
  • Same-Day Advanced Testing: Many patients receive allergy testing, lung function assessments, blood work, and inflammation markers all in one visit for faster answers and quicker relief.
  • Customized Treatment Plans: From lifestyle strategies to advanced options like monoclonal antibody therapy, every treatment plan is designed to match your unique health goals.
  • Prevention-Focused Approach: We don't just treat flare-ups—we work to stop them from happening by reducing inflammation and protecting long-term lung function.
  • Faster, Long-Lasting Relief: Many patients report easier breathing, better energy, and improved daily function within just days or weeks of starting the right plan.

Get Clarity on Your Symptoms

Is it asthma or something else?

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we take a comprehensive, personalized approach to diagnosis—because not every breathing issue is asthma. Conditions like Paradoxical Vocal Cord Dysfunction (PVCD), COPD, bronchiectasis, cystic fibrosis, and dysfunctional breathing patterns can often mimic asthma symptoms, leading to years of misdiagnosis and ineffective treatment.

Our process starts with a deep dive into your medical history—looking at past diagnoses, family history, medications, and patterns of illness from childhood to today.

  • Were you born prematurely?
  • Hospitalized for respiratory issues as a child?
  • Do you get frequent sinus infections, colds, or lingering coughs?
  • Did anyone in your household smoke?

All of these details matter—and we take the time to understand them.

By combining advanced diagnostics with thoughtful, in-depth evaluation, we eliminate guesswork and design a plan that’s tailored to your biology—not just your symptoms. You deserve answers. We’re here to find them.

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Advanced Testing for Accurate Answers

How is asthma diagnosed?

We believe early, accurate diagnosis is the foundation of long-term asthma control. That’s why we prioritize comprehensive testing—often completed the same day as your initial visit—so you can start a targeted treatment plan without delay.

Our evaluation goes beyond surface-level symptoms. We begin with in-depth questioning to uncover whether another condition, such as vocal cord dysfunction, chronic bronchiectasis, or even GERD (acid reflux), could be contributing to your breathing difficulties. GERD, for example, is a frequently overlooked asthma trigger that can be managed effectively with lifestyle changes—sometimes reducing symptoms without the need for additional medications.

To build a complete picture of your respiratory health, we may perform the following diagnostic tests:

  • Lung Function Testing
  • Allergy Skin Testing
  • Exhaled Nitric Oxide Testing (FeNO)
  • Blood Work to Assess Inflammation and Immune Activity

Each step is designed to help us understand your unique biology so we can tailor a treatment plan that brings lasting relief.

Thorough Medical History Review

Before your first visit, our team will carefully review your prior medical records, notes, and test results to gain a full understanding of your health history. To make this process easy, we’ll provide a medical release form so we can securely obtain these records in advance. This step ensures we’re building your care plan on a strong, informed foundation.

Scientific Tools

Lung function tests evaluate how well your lungs are working and measure the degree of airway obstruction. We typically perform spirometry, which assesses airflow, and FeNO (Fractional exhaled Nitric Oxide) testing, which detects eosinophilic inflammation in the lungs. These tools help us determine how much inflammation is present and whether asthma is under control or worsening—critical for tailoring an effective treatment plan.

Allergy Skin Testing

Allergies are a common and often overlooked trigger for asthma. Skin testing helps pinpoint whether allergens—like pet dander, dust mites, or mold—are contributing to your symptoms. Multiple positive results can confirm a link between allergies and asthma. In children, this testing can also help predict whether they may “outgrow” their asthma. Skin testing is quick, minimally invasive, and usually performed during your first visit. To ensure accurate results, we ask that patients stop antihistamines at least six days before testing.

Blood Testing

In some cases, we order blood tests to measure IgE levels, eosinophil counts, or biomarkers of inflammation that contribute to asthma. Blood testing can also reveal hidden triggers, immune dysfunction, or systemic inflammation that may be influencing your symptoms. These insights help us further personalize your care and determine whether you may benefit from advanced treatments like biologics.

Transforming Asthma Treatment

Asthma Treatment

Once your diagnostic testing is complete, your provider will walk you through the results and explain how they relate to your symptoms and overall health. You’ll have time to ask questions, explore your treatment options, and collaborate with your doctor to build a care plan that aligns with your goals. This shared decision-making process ensures that your treatment is both effective and tailored to your unique needs.

Asthma management has come a long way. While inhaled and oral steroids were once the mainstay of treatment, they often had unwanted side effects and weren’t ideal for every patient. Today, monoclonal antibody therapies (biologics) have changed the game, offering targeted relief by addressing the specific type of inflammation driving asthma.

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we go beyond symptom control. Our team is highly trained in the immunology of asthma and uses cutting-edge tools—such as genetic sequencing, biomarker analysis, and machine learning algorithms—to personalize your care with the most advanced therapies available.

Breathe Easier, Live Better

Results of Asthma Treatment

Finding the right asthma treatment can take time, but once the right plan is in place, most patients experience noticeable improvement within just a few days or weeks. As inflammation decreases and lung function improves, breathing becomes easier—and so does everyday life.

With consistent, personalized care, many of our patients report fewer asthma attacks, better energy levels, and the freedom to return to activities they once avoided—like walking, exercising, or spending time outdoors. Effective asthma management doesn’t just reduce symptoms; it protects your lungs from long-term damage and helps restore your confidence and peace of mind.

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we’re here to help you take back control—so you can focus less on your asthma, and more on the life you want to live.

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Help Advance Asthma Innovation

Now Enrolling: Clinical Trial for Severe Asthma

Modena Allergy & Asthma is currently enrolling volunteers for the NIMBLE clinical research study—an exciting opportunity for patients aged 12 and older who have severe eosinophilic asthma and are currently benefiting from medications like Nucala® or Fasenra®.

This study will evaluate a new investigational treatment to see if it offers the same level of asthma control as existing biologic therapies. By participating, you’ll not only gain access to cutting-edge care, but you’ll also play an important role in shaping the future of asthma treatment.

Interested in learning more or seeing if you qualify? Contact Modena Allergy & Asthma today. Let’s move forward—together—toward better, smarter asthma care.

Breathe Better. Live Fuller.

Schedule Your Consultation at Modena Allergy & Asthma

If asthma is interfering with your life—or your child’s—it’s time to move beyond basic symptom management. Asthma care has come a long way in recent years. Today’s treatments are more advanced, targeted, and effective, focusing on the underlying inflammation that drives symptoms.

At Modena Allergy & Asthma, we specialize in cutting-edge therapies that go far beyond inhalers. From biologics to precision diagnostics, we create treatment plans that not only improve day-to-day breathing but also protect long-term lung health—reducing the risk of irreversible damage.

Don’t wait to take control. Schedule your personalized consultation today and discover how expert, data-driven care can help you breathe easier, live more fully, and thrive with confidence.

Asthma

Frequently Asked Questions

Early symptoms of an asthma attack often include shortness of breath, chest tightness, wheezing, persistent coughing, and a drop in peak flow readings. Recognizing these early signs and acting quickly with prescribed medications can prevent more severe flare-ups.

Yes, not all asthma symptoms include wheezing. Some patients may experience coughing, chest tightness, or shortness of breath as their main symptoms. Silent asthma can still be dangerous and requires proper diagnosis and treatment.

Eosinophilic asthma is a severe form of asthma characterized by high levels of eosinophils—a type of white blood cell—that cause airway inflammation. It often doesn’t respond well to standard inhalers, but newer biologic therapies can help reduce flare-ups and improve breathing.

In adults, diagnosis typically includes lung function tests and a review of symptoms and history. In children, especially those under 5, diagnosis may rely more on symptom patterns, family history, and response to medications, as lung testing can be more difficult to perform accurately.

Absolutely. Many asthma cases are allergy-induced, meaning exposure to allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander can lead to inflammation and asthma symptoms. Allergy testing is often a key part of an asthma workup to help identify and manage triggers.

While some children may "outgrow" asthma, especially if symptoms are mild, many continue to experience symptoms into adulthood. Even in remission, underlying airway inflammation may persist, which is why ongoing monitoring and treatment are important.