Allergic asthma is a long-term illness that can significantly impair your quality of life. The condition is caused by an immune system overreaction in response to allergen exposure; symptoms include coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Allergens can be found everywhere we turn, and when we breathe them in, our bodies react by producing chemicals like histamines that cause inflammation and airway narrowing.
Symptoms
Individuals suffering from allergic asthma typically exhibit symptoms like wheezing and shortness of breath upon exposure to allergens, which cause their immune systems to trigger an inflammatory response that narrows and swells their airways. Common triggers include pollen, animal dander, mold spores and certain foods – these triggers range from mild to life-threatening symptoms requiring immediate medical attention.
People may suffer seasonal allergies triggered by pollen from trees, grasses and weeds or year-round allergies due to animal dander and dust mites; or food triggers like milk, eggs, soy products, peanuts or tree nuts; in addition to environmental irritants like smoke, strong odors and air pollution which aggravate allergic asthma symptoms.
Healthcare professionals use various techniques to diagnose allergic asthma in a patient, including taking their medical and family histories, conducting physical exams and administering tests to isolate its source. Healthcare professionals may conduct tests such as lung function tests, skin and blood allergy testing and breathing testing known as spirometry to detect allergens that trigger asthma symptoms in their patients and create an asthma action plan to assist patients in identifying them and avoidance strategies. They will prescribe medicines that can be taken orally (pill form) or via an inhaler directly into the lungs – these may include both long-term control and quick relief medicines. Some individuals may benefit from immunotherapy treatments which reduce how allergic responses work by injecting small doses of allergen over time into the immune system.
Diagnosis
To properly diagnose allergic asthma, your doctor will conduct an exam and gather details regarding your symptoms. They may ask about any family history of allergies or asthma and listen to your breathing using a stethoscope while looking out for signs such as eczema or hives that could also contribute to breathlessness.
Your doctor may conduct a skin prick test to pinpoint allergens responsible for your symptoms. In this procedure, small amounts of allergens are applied directly onto the skin before being pricked with a needle; if your body reacts adversely, your skin may swell or form a welt. In addition, they can perform blood tests measuring immunoglobulin E antibodies produced by your immune system; high levels are linked with allergy and asthma symptoms.
Other diagnostic tests for asthma may include x-rays or electrocardiograms (EKG). An oxygen monitoring device is also useful in diagnosing asthma.
Mild persistent asthma is defined when symptoms appear two or more days each week and you wake up three or more nights per week, using quick-relief medicine on a daily basis to alleviate them. Your symptoms interfere with daily activities and lung function is reduced as your lung capacity declines; severe allergic attacks of asthma can even result in respiratory failure or lower oxygen levels (hypoxemia).
Prevention
Allergic asthma can be a source of great discomfort and inconvenience, hindering work, school, and social activities as well as being a serious health threat to young children whose immune systems may still be developing and may not know how to manage their symptoms effectively.
Avoid allergens, irritants and triggers of airway inflammation to reduce asthma attacks, such as mold spores, pet dander or secondhand smoke. By keeping humidity levels low and vacuuming carpets regularly with HEPA filters installed as well as regularly cleaning the house it may help keep triggers at bay. In addition, getting an annual flu shot could prevent chest infections which exacerbate attacks of asthma.
Medication can be used to effectively treat asthma. These include quick-relief medication taken as needed for instantaneous relief of symptoms and long-term control medication taken daily or weekly. Some individuals suffering from allergy-induced asthma may benefit from immunotherapy treatment, which involves gradually exposing themselves to small doses of allergens over time to reduce their response. Blood or skin testing can sometimes be used to identify allergic triggers. Treatment options also include avoiding foods known to trigger reactions in some individuals, such as wines containing sulfites (found in wine, beer, potatoes and dried fruit) as well as taking certain medications like aspirin or pain relievers and blood pressure medicines with an ACE inhibitors effect.
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