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Dr. Luis A. Garcia, MD is a pediatrician in Worcester, MA specializing in general pediatrics. He graduated from University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine in 1976 and has 50 years of experience. Dr. Luis A. Garcia, MD is affiliated with UMass Memorial Health.
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.
Hemophilia
Hemophilia is a bleeding disorder in which blood cannot clot normally. After an injury, people who have hemophilia bleed longer because they lack certain blood proteins that are responsible for clotting, called clotting factors. Some hemophiliacs are mildly deficient in this protein, so they bleed only when injured or after surgery. Those who are severely deficient, however, may experience symptoms of spontaneous bleeding, including the following:
Most people with hemophilia have a family history of the disorder, though about 30% do not. The most common forms are hemophilia A (classic hemophilia) and hemophilia B (Christmas disease). Hemophilia A and B share certain characteristics, but different genes are involved. Acquired hemophilia is very rare and has been linked to autoimmune conditions, cancer, and multiple sclerosis.
Hemophilia may be diagnosed using a blood test. If there is family history of the disorder, testing may be done prenatally. Treatment involves regular intravenous replacement of clotting factors, which may be produced in a laboratory (recombinant) or come from blood donors. For people with milder forms of the disease, a hormone called desmopressin may stimulate the body to produce clotting factors. Other drug therapies include medications that help slow the breakdown of blood clots and medications that are applied directly to the wound to promote clotting.
Living with hemophilia can be challenging, but simple things may help prevent excessive bleeding. For example, choosing activities like walking or swimming over contact sports can prevent injuries and strengthen muscles while protecting the joints. Chances for bleeding may also be reduced by making sure that children wear helmets and elbow pads during activities like bicycle rides.
Dr. Luis A. Garcia, MD graduated from University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine in 1976. He has a state license in Massachusetts.
Medical School: University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine (1976)
Licensed In: Massachusetts
Dr. Luis A. Garcia, MD has an exceptional overall rating with an average of 4.92 out of 5 stars based on 40 ratings. We collect ratings and reviews of Dr. Luis A. Garcia, MD from all over the web to help you find the right in Worcester, MA.
Dr. Luis Garcia is a Worcester, MA physician who specializes in general pediatrics. Dr. Garcia is rated 5.0 stars (out of 5) by his patients. Areas of expertise for Dr. Garcia include warts, bleeding, and cancer. He speaks Spanish. Dr. Garcia is affiliated with UMass Memorial Health. UMass Memorial Health reports that he is not accepting new patients.
