Individuals living with allergic asthma develop long-term inflammation in their airways and experience frequent attacks that interfere with daily activities and increase anxiety levels.
Control of symptoms can be accomplished through avoidance of allergens, taking asthma control medications (including steroids to reduce inflammation and bronchodilators to open airways) and regular monitoring of asthma and allergy symptoms. Allergy shots (known as immunotherapy) may also prove useful.
Symptoms
An individual with allergic asthma is susceptible to allergens like dust mites, pollen, mold and pet dander which cause their immune system to overreact, leading to inflammation of their airways and overproduction of mucus which makes breathing difficult. Triggers for this form of asthma include physical activity, respiratory infections or irritants such as smoke, perfumes or chemicals as well as certain medicines as well as exposure to cold or dry air and extreme emotions or activities.
Wheezing, chest tightness and shortness of breath are the three hallmark symptoms of allergic asthma. Wheezing is a squeaky sound heard when listening to airways with a stethoscope or through video exams (see the Asthma Screening Video below). Breathing difficulties may last for several minutes and reduce one’s ability to work or play; fatigue and difficulty sleeping are other frequent manifestations.
Some individuals experience mild asthma symptoms on three to six occasions per week or less; those living with moderate persistent asthma have symptoms daily which interfere with daily activities and interfere with participation in everyday tasks. If an individual experiences severe or life-threatening symptoms they should seek emergency medical help immediately; people suffering from allergic asthma tend to also have issues like eczema and hay fever which runs in families, making their condition all the more likely.
Diagnosis
Allergic asthma symptoms are typically brought on by allergens like pet dander, mold spores and pollen that trigger airway obstruction and tightening, making breathing difficult. Other triggers may include cold dry air or exercise – it is important to identify and avoid these triggers even if allergy testing shows you don’t react negatively to them.
Doctors typically diagnose allergic asthma based on medical history and physical exam, along with breathing tests such as spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) tests. Lung function testing includes spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO) tests as well as allergy skin prick tests or blood tests to detect antibodies to common allergens like dust mites, mold, pet dander or pollen antibodies. An allergist may suggest immunotherapy which allows your body to build tolerance over time or allergy shots as treatment options.
Maintaining a symptom diary can help both you and your doctor identify triggers. Working together, both doctors and healthcare providers should create an asthma action plan in order to manage symptoms more effectively. There are various medications available that can be used to control allergy and asthma such as inhaled steroids which reduce inflammation and bronchodilators which open airways; both can be obtained over-the-counter or with a valid prescription. It is also highly advised to utilize humidifiers within your home and regularly wash hair/pillowcases/pillets/etc.
Treatment
No one knows a cure for allergic asthma, but with proper treatment you can manage symptoms and avoid attacks by avoiding triggers, taking quick-relief medicines as needed and developing a long-term control plan involving regular use of asthma medication.
With allergic asthma, immune system responses to allergens cause inflammation that narrows airways. Furthermore, inflammation causes chemical releases that tighten them further – all these factors combine to make breathing difficult, leaving people exhausted.
Healthcare professionals can diagnose allergic asthma through asking about symptoms, performing a physical exam and reviewing medical history. In some cases, skin testing may also be used to identify allergens which trigger it.
Once allergens are identified, doctors can prescribe medicines to both prevent and treat asthma symptoms. Such medicines include inhaled steroids that reduce airway inflammation and bronchodilators that open up airways; leukotriene modifiers reduce production of chemicals which trigger an allergic response; these pills or liquids can be taken orally with a device known as a nebulizer for direct delivery directly into lungs.
Immunotherapy can train the body to adjust over time and adjust allergen tolerance levels, ultimately decreasing symptoms of allergic asthma. It involves getting shots or tablets that dissolve sublingually (sublingual immunotherapy). Alterations to lifestyle habits such as quitting smoking, losing weight and avoiding foods which trigger food intolerance as well as treating any underlying conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) are also effective ways of improving allergic asthma symptoms.
Prevention
Although there is no cure for allergic asthma, you can manage symptoms by minimizing exposure to triggers. Avoidance strategies include keeping your home dust-free by regularly cleaning using HEPA filters on vacuums and washing bedding regularly; keeping windows closed to reduce air pollution during pollen, ozone or wildfire events; as well as limiting outdoor activity at times when peak levels exist – such as pollen counts. Also try to limit food with added sulfites (found in potatoes, shrimp, dried fruit beer wine vinegar). If sensitive then avoid these processed products added for their inclusion as they contain added sulfites which should be avoided as they contain added ingredients used as additives e.g. potatoes shrimp dried fruit beer wine vinegar etc).
If you suffer from allergy-induced asthma, part of your immune system works too hard and attacks harmless substances called allergens. When allergens enter the body they cause chemicals like histamine to be released and cause irritation of lung tissues; leading to symptoms like wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath.
Allergens can be found anywhere from air quality and clothing materials, to our homes and workplaces, pet dander, mold spores, pests such as cockroaches or rodents and tobacco smoke – and can trigger asthma in anyone, regardless of age, race or socioeconomic status. Allergy testing can identify which allergens trigger your symptoms so you can make lifestyle changes to manage them more effectively; quick relief such as inhaled corticosteroids or bronchodilators medications can prevent or treat an attack; while long term control such as sulfites or steroid injections help keep allergy-induced asthma under control and reduce its potential risk of attacks altogether.
Comments are closed