Allegheny Health Network Opens New Center for Treatment of Advanced Asthma & Allergies at AHN North Fayette Health + Wellness Pavilion

North Fayette, Pa. – Allegheny Health Network (AHN) has launched a new clinic at the AHN North Fayette Health + Wellness Pavilion, dedicated to providing specialized care for patients with complex asthma, allergies and related diseases. The ‘AHN Center for Asthma, Allergy and Eosinophilic Lung Diseases’ offers cutting-edge therapies as part of tailored treatment plans for those who have been unable to successfully manage their conditions with standard therapies.

More than 100 million people in the U.S. have asthma and/or allergies, according to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America. Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the airways, causing them to narrow and restrict airflow to the lungs. Allergies can act as triggers for asthma symptoms, making proper management of allergies often an important part of managing asthma. Asthma is among the costliest diseases in the U.S.; often associated with frequent emergency department visits and hospitalizations.

Eosinophils, meanwhile, are a type of white blood cell and part of the immune system, and play a key role in fighting allergic reactions and certain infections.

When first-line treatments such as inhaled glucocorticoids prove ineffective, more comprehensive, advanced care is required to properly treat asthma and allergies, says Tariq Cheema, MD, division chief of pulmonary, critical care, sleep and allergy medicine, part of the AHN Medicine Institute.

“Severe cases of these chronic diseases can significantly interfere with everyday activities and overall quality of life,” said Dr. Cheema. “From one location, we are pleased to offer the most advanced therapeutics for the diagnosis and treatment of asthma, allergies and other related lung diseases to help patients more effectively manage their symptoms and get back to living active, fulfilling lives.”

The center is led by pulmonary and critical care specialists Billie Barker, MD, and Adeel Nasrullah, MD, and allergy/immunology specialist Thomas Makin, MD. The physicians work alongside a dedicated team of respiratory therapists and registered nurses specially trained in therapeutics to provide comprehensive, patient-centered care.

Utilizing advanced testing methods, including breathing tests, X-rays, CT scans and allergy-focused blood work, the clinic's specialists gain a thorough understanding of each patient's condition and its triggers. Based on these insights, a tailored treatment plan is developed, which may include inhalers, oral medications and/ or injections, including the latest biologic therapies, to reduce airway inflammation.

Beyond providing clinical care, the clinic will also serve as a vital research hub, actively engaging with its patient population to deepen the understanding of asthma and allergies. The efforts will focus on identifying key factors that influence disease progression, evaluating the effectiveness of existing therapies and developing innovative new treatments to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.

To access the specialized care offered at the AHN Center for Asthma, Allergy and Eosinophilic Lung Diseases, patients should first schedule an appointment with their AHN primary care physician, pulmonologist or allergist by calling (412) DOCTORS or via MyChart. If the physician determines that the clinic's services would be beneficial, they will provide a referral.

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