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Dr. Kari Alayne Gillenwater, MPH, MD is a preventive medicine doctor in Kent, WA specializing in preventive medicine, adolescent medicine, general pediatrics and nutrition. She graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine. Dr. Kari Alayne Gillenwater, MPH, MD is affiliated with University of Washington (UW) Medicine and Seattle Children's.
23213 Pacific Highway S
Kent, WA 98032
325 9th Avenue
Seattle, WA 98104
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. Kari Alayne Gillenwater, MPH, MD graduated from University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine. She completed residency at Johns Hopkins University Affiliated Hospitals. She is certified by the Board Certification: Pediatrics and has a state license in Maryland.
Medical School: University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine
Residency: Johns Hopkins University Affiliated Hospitals
Board Certification: Board Certification: Pediatrics
Licensed In: Maryland
Dr. Kari Alayne Gillenwater, MPH, MD is associated with these hospitals and organizations:
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Dr. Kari Gillenwater's areas of specialization are nutrition, adolescent medicine, and general pediatrics. Dr. Gillenwater's areas of expertise include primary care, telehealth services, and preventive care. After completing medical school at the University of Texas Medical Branch School of Medicine and Tulane University School of Medicine, she performed her residency at a hospital affiliated with Johns Hopkins University. Her hospital/clinic affiliations include the University of Washington (UW) Medicine and Seattle Children's.