Dr. Joseph Howard Smart, MD is a pediatrician in San Diego, CA specializing in general pediatrics. He graduated from University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. Dr. Joseph Howard Smart, MD is affiliated with Sharp HealthCare, Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns.
Sharp Mary Birch Hospital for Women & Newborns
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.
Dr. Joseph Howard Smart, MD graduated from University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. He completed residency at University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Affiliated Hospitals. He is certified by the Pediatrics and has a state license in Ohio.
Medical School: University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine
Residency: University of California, San Diego (UCSD) Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: Pediatrics
Licensed In: Ohio
Dr. Joseph Howard Smart, MD appears to accept the following insurance providers: Blue Shield of California, Medicare Advantage, HealthSmart, United Healthcare, Sharp Health Plan, Humana, Cigna, Anthem, Beech Street, Self-Pay/Uninsured, Aetna: HMO, Aetna: POS, Health Net: PPO, Medicare: All Medicare supplement (Medigap) plans, TRICARE: TRICARE for Life, Whole Foods Market: PPO, Aetna: EPO, Medicare: Medicare Parts A and B (Original Medicare), Aetna: PPO, Health Net: HMO and Health Net: POS.
According to our sources, Dr. Joseph Howard Smart, MD accepts the following insurance providers:
Dr. Joseph Howard Smart, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.7 out of 5 stars based on 90 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Joseph Howard Smart, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in San Diego, CA.
We absolutely love Dr. Smart! He listens to our concerns and never really overreacts to things that may come up. One of my children had a heart palpitation and he did everything he could to help us through the processes of getting things checked.
These charts describe general payments received by Dr. Joseph Howard Smart, MD. Doctors may receive payments for a number of reasons, including meal compensation, travel compensation, and consulting.
| MedImmune, LLC |
$65
$65 |
|---|---|
| SANOFI-AVENTIS U.S. LLC |
$15
Auvi-Q $15 |
| Food and Beverage | $79 |
|---|
Dr. Joseph Smart is a specialist in general pediatrics in San Diego, CA. Clinical interests for Dr. Smart include down syndrome, enuresis (bed wetting), and preventive care. Patient ratings for Dr. Smart average 4.5 stars (out of 5). Dr. Smart appears to be an in-network provider for Anthem, Blue California, and HealthSmart, in addition to other insurance carriers. Dr. Smart studied medicine at the University of California, San Diego (UCSD), School of Medicine. He trained at a hospital affiliated with the University of California, San Diego (UCSD) for his residency. In addition to English, he speaks German. His professional affiliations include Sharp Memorial Hospital and Sharp HealthCare. According to Sharp HealthCare, new patients are welcome to contact Dr. Smart's office in San Diego, CA.