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Dr. Ahmad Chatila, MD is a pediatrician in Evergreen Park, IL specializing in general pediatrics. He graduated from American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine in 1988 and has 38 years of experience. Dr. Ahmad Chatila, MD is affiliated with Advocate Health Care, Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago and OSF Healthcare.
Asthma
Asthma is a chronic lung disease where the tissue and airways of the lungs become extremely sensitive to certain substances. When these substances are breathed in, the lungs become inflamed. The muscles around the airways tighten and squeeze the lungs, and passages within the lungs swell and tighten. The airways themselves produce mucus, which further clogs the tightened, swollen airways. A person having an asthma attack finds it very difficult to breathe, and a severe attack can even be fatal.
Asthma affects people of all ages, but people with asthma are most often diagnosed as children. Symptoms can include wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest, shortness of breath, and coughing. Some people have mild symptoms all the time, and some people have no symptoms at all, but everyone with asthma is susceptible to occasional severe attacks or flare-ups of symptoms when they are exposed to triggers. Triggers vary widely but can include:
Treatment for most asthma patients involves three steps. Patients learn what their asthma triggers are and avoid them. They take a daily control medication, usually an inhaled corticosteroid, to reduce inflammation in the lungs. Also, they have rescue medication with them at all times to take in case of a severe attack. These quick-acting inhaled medications relax the muscles around the airways and allow the lungs to open up for air.
There is no cure for asthma, but with treatment it should not interfere with daily life and activities.
Lung Issues
Every cell in the body requires oxygen to function and produces carbon dioxide as a waste product. In order to keep the body's tissues constantly supplied with fresh oxygen and to keep waste from building up, the lungs pump air in and out, even while sleeping or unaware. Unfortunately, diseases and disorders affecting the lungs are some of the most common medical problems afflicting people around the world. Some of the most common lung problems include asthma, COPD, pneumonia, and lung cancer.
Asthma is a chronic disease where swollen, inflamed airways make it hard to breathe. It is often brought on by specific triggers. While asthma is a common condition, affecting millions of people, it can also be serious and even fatal in severe cases. Treatment involves avoiding triggers and using inhaled corticosteroid medications.
COPD, or Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease, is the name given to two illnesses that both cause difficulty breathing: emphysema and chronic bronchitis. In emphysema, the air sacs of the lungs become damaged, while with bronchitis they become clogged with mucus. COPD is the fourth leading cause of death in the United States. It is almost always caused by breathing irritants into the lungs, such as smoking or heavy pollution.
Pneumonia is a lung infection that can be caused by bacteria, a virus, or fungi. Most healthy people recover from pneumonia in a week or two, but for some people pneumonia can be fatal. There are treatments available for pneumonia, but the best treatment is to prevent getting sick in the first place. People who are at risk should make sure they get a flu shot every year. There is also a vaccine available for the type of bacteria that causes pneumonia.
Lung cancer occurs when abnormal cells inside the lung grow into a tumor, destroying healthy tissue. Because it is so difficult to detect lung cancer in early stages when it has few symptoms, it is the deadliest form of cancer, responsible for the most cancer deaths both in the U.S. and worldwide. Most lung cancer is caused by exposure to tobacco smoke, but between 10-15% of cases are not linked to smoking.
Some problems with the lungs are minor and are not cause for concern. However if symptoms have lasted for a month or more, even if they are minor, it is worth checking with a healthcare professional. A cough, shortness of breath, or excess mucus production that lingers for weeks are all worth getting looked at.
Dr. Ahmad Chatila, MD graduated from American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine in 1988. He completed residency at SUNY Down State Health Sciences University College of Medicine. He is certified by the American Board of Pediatrics American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology and has a state license in Illinois.
Medical School: American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine (1988)
Residency: SUNY Down State Health Sciences University College of Medicine (1991)
Board Certification: American Board of Pediatrics American Board of Pediatrics, Pediatric Pulmonology
Licensed In: Illinois
Dr. Ahmad Chatila, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
Dr. Ahmad Chatila, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: CIGNA Choice Fund PPO, United Healthcare Select Plus POS, United Healthcare Select HMO, United Healthcare Select EPO, United Healthcare Options PPO, United Healthcare Indemnity, Aetna POS, Aetna QPOS, TRICARE Prime, Aetna Open Choice PPO, Aetna Open Access HMO, Aetna Medicare HMO, Golden Rule, TRICARE, Coventry, Aetna Open Access Aetna Select, Aetna Select, Aetna EPO, Aetna HMO, Blue Advantage PPO, Aetna Medicare PPO, United Healthcare Select Plus HMO, United Healthcare Choice Plus PPO, AARP, Medicare Advantage, Humana Medicare Choice PPO, United Healthcare Choice Plus HMO, Blue Cross PPO, Blue Advantage HMO, Blue Cross Medicare Advantage PPO, Coventry PPO, United Healthcare, Medicaid, Humana, Cigna, United Healthcare Navigate HMO, First Health, HealthLink PPO, HFN EPO, HFN PPO, HFN Platinum EPO, HFN, PHCS PPO, MultiPlan PPO, SEIU - Local 4 PPO, Union Medical (Local 1546) HMO, Aetna Medicare Prime HMO-POS, Union Medical Care PPO, Aetna Elect Choice HMO (includes Aetna Health Funds), AAH UMR Select - Team Member Plan, Aetna Medicare POS, Aetna State of Illinois Open Access Plus, Aetna Open Choice POS, Health Services and Technology, HST Care Connect PPO, Aetna Open Choice PPO - State of Illinois - SOI, United Surest (previously Bind), Aetna Managed Choice (MC) POS, Union Health Services, Inc., Aetna Open Choice POS II, Aetna State of Illinois PPO, Aetna Health Network Option, Health Services and Technology, HST Care Connect EPO, AAH UMR Preferred - Team Member Plan, Aetna Signature Administrators PPO (ASA or SRC) PPO, Aetna Upfront Advantage, Aetna Signature Administrators PPO, SEIU - Local 4 HMO, Aetna Open Access Elect Choice (includes Aetna Health Funds), Aetna NAP - PPO, Aetna Value Performance Network, Aetna Premier Care Plus Network, Blue Cross Community MMAI, BlueCare Direct HMO, Aetna Health Network Only, Aetna Premier Care Network, Blue Cross Medicare Supplement PPO and SIHO PPO.
According to our sources, Dr. Ahmad Chatila, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
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Dr. Ahmad Chatila is a physician who specializes in general pediatrics. In his practice, Dr. Chatila focuses on bronchopulmonary dysplasia and asthma. He appears to be an in-network provider for Aetna EPO, Blue California, Coventry, and more. He studied medicine at American University of Beirut Faculty of Medicine. For his residency, Dr. Chatila trained at a hospital affiliated with SUNY Downstate Medical Center. In addition to English, Dr. Chatila (or staff) speaks Arabic and French. Dr. Chatila is affiliated with Ann & Robert H. Lurie Children's Hospital of Chicago, OSF Healthcare, and Advocate Christ Medical Center.
