TL;DR
Dr. Jedidiah Oldham, DO diagnoses and manages asthma and allergies for children and adults at 972 N 600 E in Spanish Fork. Evaluation includes spirometry, peak flow testing, allergy history, and targeted lab work. Dr. Oldham builds stepwise treatment plans using inhaled corticosteroids, rescue inhalers, antihistamines, and allergen avoidance strategies, with follow-up visits to adjust controller medications based on symptom control. Call (385) 265-6060 to schedule.
What Are Asthma and Allergies?
Asthma is a chronic airway disease that causes inflammation, bronchospasm, and mucus production, leading to episodes of wheezing, chest tightness, coughing, and shortness of breath. The CDC reports that approximately 25 million Americans have asthma, including 4.7 million children. Allergies involve an immune system overreaction to substances like pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold, producing symptoms that range from sneezing and nasal congestion to hives and anaphylaxis. Dr. Oldham manages both conditions at the Spanish Fork office as part of ongoing primary care, which means the same physician tracking your child’s growth chart and your family’s preventive care also adjusts your asthma controller medication and manages your seasonal allergy plan. That continuity prevents the fragmented care that happens when asthma is managed by one provider, allergies by another, and neither coordinates with the primary care record.
In Utah County, seasonal allergens peak in spring (tree pollen from February through May) and fall (ragweed from August through October), and inversion season in winter traps particulate matter that triggers asthma exacerbations. Dr. Oldham adjusts controller medication proactively before these seasonal peaks instead of reacting after symptoms flare.
How Does Dr. Oldham Diagnose Asthma?
Dr. Oldham diagnoses asthma using a combination of clinical history, physical exam findings (wheezing, prolonged expiration, accessory muscle use), and objective lung function testing. Spirometry, the gold-standard test, measures forced expiratory volume in one second (FEV1) and the FEV1/FVC ratio; a ratio below 0.70 with improvement after bronchodilator administration confirms reversible airway obstruction. For children under 5 who can’t reliably perform spirometry, Dr. Oldham relies on symptom patterns (recurrent wheezing with viral infections, nighttime cough, exercise-triggered cough) and a therapeutic trial of albuterol. The National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (NHLBI) guidelines classify asthma severity into four steps: intermittent, mild persistent, moderate persistent, and severe persistent, and Dr. Oldham uses this classification to select the starting controller regimen.
Dr. Oldham also screens for allergic triggers during the asthma evaluation, because 60-80% of asthma in children and roughly 50% in adults has an allergic component. Identifying triggers through history (pets, seasonal patterns, dust exposure) and, when indicated, referral for skin-prick or serum IgE testing directs avoidance strategies that reduce exacerbation frequency.
What Treatment Does Dr. Oldham Use for Asthma?
Dr. Oldham follows the NHLBI stepwise approach to asthma treatment, starting with the lowest therapy step that controls symptoms and stepping up only when control is inadequate after two to four weeks. Step 1 (intermittent asthma) uses a rescue inhaler (albuterol) as needed. Step 2 adds a low-dose inhaled corticosteroid (ICS) such as fluticasone or budesonide as a daily controller. Steps 3-4 increase ICS dose or add a long-acting beta-agonist (LABA) like formoterol. Dr. Oldham reassesses asthma control at every visit using the Asthma Control Test (ACT) score and adjusts the step accordingly, stepping down when the patient has been well-controlled for three or more months. Every patient receives a written asthma action plan divided into green (well-controlled), yellow (worsening), and red (emergency) zones, with specific medication instructions for each zone.
The most common reason Spanish Fork patients present with poorly controlled asthma is inconsistent use of their controller inhaler. Many patients use only the rescue inhaler and skip the daily ICS because they feel fine between episodes. Teaching inhaler technique in the office (spacer use, proper MDI coordination) and explaining why daily ICS prevents the inflammation that triggers attacks changes compliance more than adding a second medication.
How Does Dr. Oldham Manage Seasonal and Year-Round Allergies?
Dr. Oldham manages allergic rhinitis and seasonal allergies with a layered approach: allergen avoidance first, then daily antihistamines and intranasal corticosteroids, and referral for immunotherapy when symptoms are severe or year-round. First-line medications include second-generation antihistamines (cetirizine, loratadine, or fexofenadine) and intranasal corticosteroid sprays (fluticasone or mometasone), which the AAFP recommends as the most effective single agent for nasal congestion, sneezing, and postnasal drip. For patients with allergic conjunctivitis, Dr. Oldham adds an antihistamine eye drop. Avoidance strategies include HEPA filtration, keeping windows closed during high-pollen days, showering after outdoor activity, and reducing dust mite exposure with mattress encasements and weekly hot-water laundering of bedding.
Utah County’s geography concentrates allergens in the valley during inversion events, and Dr. Oldham advises patients to check the Utah Department of Environmental Quality air quality index before prolonged outdoor activity. When medications alone don’t control symptoms, Dr. Oldham refers to an allergist for subcutaneous or sublingual immunotherapy, which can reduce symptom severity by 30-40% over three to five years of treatment.
How Does Asthma Management Differ for Children Compared to Adults?
Dr. Oldham adjusts asthma management based on the patient’s age, because children and adults differ in trigger profiles, medication options, and monitoring tools. Children under 5 can’t perform spirometry, so Dr. Oldham relies on symptom frequency, rescue inhaler use, and parent-reported nighttime cough to classify severity and guide treatment. Nebulized medications (budesonide suspension, albuterol nebulizer) replace metered-dose inhalers for toddlers who can’t coordinate inhaler technique. School-age children transition to MDIs with spacers, and Dr. Oldham provides a copy of the asthma action plan for the school nurse. Adults are monitored with spirometry at diagnosis and annually, and their trigger list often includes occupational exposures, exercise, and GERD in addition to allergens.
| Children (under 12) | Adults | |
|---|---|---|
| Diagnosis tool | Symptom patterns, therapeutic trial | Spirometry with bronchodilator response |
| Controller delivery | Nebulizer or MDI with spacer | MDI, DPI, or soft-mist inhaler |
| Common triggers | Viral infections, allergens, exercise | Allergens, exercise, GERD, occupational |
| Monitoring | Parent-reported symptoms, ACT (age 12+) | ACT score, spirometry annually |
| School coordination | Action plan for school nurse, 504 plan if needed | N/A |
When Should You See Dr. Oldham for Asthma or Allergy Symptoms?
Dr. Oldham recommends scheduling a visit if you use your rescue inhaler more than twice per week, wake up at night with coughing or wheezing more than twice per month, experience seasonal symptoms that don’t respond to over-the-counter antihistamines, or have had any emergency room visit or urgent care visit for breathing difficulty in the past year. These patterns indicate that your current management plan needs adjustment. Dr. Oldham also sees patients for new-onset wheezing, exercise-triggered cough, and persistent nasal congestion that affects sleep or daily function. A first visit for asthma or allergy evaluation runs 45 to 60 minutes and includes a history, exam, spirometry (for patients old enough), and a written management plan before you leave the office.
Dr. Jedidiah Oldham, DO treats asthma and allergies inside the same primary care relationship that handles your family’s preventive care, immunizations, and chronic conditions. That means one physician, one chart, and one phone number for all of it.
Does Insurance Cover Asthma and Allergy Care?
Asthma and allergy visits are billed under standard E&M codes, and the majority of the 30+ insurance plans accepted at the Spanish Fork office cover them with a standard copay or coinsurance. Spirometry is covered as a diagnostic test when ordered for evaluation of respiratory symptoms. Controller inhalers vary in cost depending on the plan formulary: generic fluticasone MDIs typically run $30 to $60 per month with insurance, while brand-name combination inhalers can exceed $200 without coverage. Dr. Oldham prescribes formulary-preferred inhalers when clinically equivalent options exist and uses manufacturer savings programs when available. Over-the-counter antihistamines and nasal sprays (cetirizine, fluticasone OTC) are not covered by most plans but cost $10 to $20 per month at Utah pharmacies.
How Do I Schedule an Asthma or Allergy Visit With Dr. Oldham?
Book an asthma or allergy visit
New and existing patients can schedule by phone or online. Most visits are booked within one week. Mention asthma or allergy symptoms when calling so the front desk reserves the appropriate appointment length.
Call (385) 265-6060 Book online
972 N 600 E, Spanish Fork, UT 84660
Frequently Asked Questions About Asthma and Allergy Care
Can asthma be cured?
Asthma is a chronic condition without a cure, but with proper controller medication and trigger avoidance, most patients achieve well-controlled asthma with rare exacerbations. Dr. Oldham’s goal is to keep the rescue inhaler unused most weeks.
Do children outgrow asthma?
Some children experience symptom remission in adolescence, but the airway sensitivity often persists. Dr. Oldham monitors lung function through childhood and adjusts the plan if symptoms return in adulthood.
Should I get allergy testing?
Dr. Oldham recommends allergy testing when symptoms don’t respond to standard treatment or when identifying specific triggers would change the management plan. Referral to an allergist for skin-prick testing is arranged through the office.
Can allergies cause asthma?
Yes. Allergic asthma is the most common type, accounting for 60-80% of childhood asthma. Treating the underlying allergy with avoidance and antihistamines reduces asthma exacerbation frequency.
Is exercise safe with asthma?
Yes, with proper management. Dr. Oldham often prescribes a rescue inhaler 15 minutes before exercise for patients with exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. Well-controlled asthma should not limit physical activity.
Medical disclaimer: This page is informational and does not replace an in-person evaluation. Individual diagnosis and treatment decisions should be made between a patient and their physician.
Content accuracy: Clinical guidance follows current NHLBI, AAFP, and CDC recommendations. Last reviewed April 2026.