Allergic asthma is one of the most prevalent forms of asthma and often caused by allergens like dust mites, pollen and pet dander. Its symptoms include wheezing, coughing and tightness in the chest.
Treatment should include identifying and avoiding allergens that trigger symptoms, and taking long-term control medications that reduce inflammation in the airways – whether orally in pill or liquid form or through an inhaler device.
Symptoms
Allergens like animal dander, pollen or dust mites may trigger asthma symptoms. When your immune system overreacts to these allergens and makes airways inflamed and swollen, muscles surrounding the airways tighten to further narrow them; additionally, extra mucus produced from within your airways further clogs your breathing space resulting in shortness of breath, coughing or wheezing as oxygen becomes scarcer in your system.
Asthma is a long-term condition that does not go away on its own. But there are ways you can manage its symptoms effectively.
Your doctor will discuss your symptoms and family history before conducting a physical exam, conducting breathing tests and potentially ordering blood, skin, or allergy tests to identify possible allergies.
Some allergens that can trigger asthma are seasonal, including pollen from trees, grasses, weeds; mold spores; and animal dander. Other allergens that could exacerbate asthma symptoms year-round include dust mites as well as dust mite feces or saliva from cockroaches feces or body parts feces, saliva or body parts from them cockroaches (known as occupational asthma). If your asthma symptoms worsen when at work or where else it could triggers for you a plan to avoid asthma triggers and keep symptoms under control. Talking to your healthcare provider could help create an action plan for controlling symptoms at an earlier stage for improved quality control.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and conduct tests such as lung function tests to identify whether you have allergic or non-allergic asthma, along with seasonal allergies or year-round allergens (like pet dander) which could worsen it. They may also perform allergy testing including skin or blood samples to ascertain which allergens or seasonal allergies are worsening the situation.
Antihistamines and steroid medications that reduce inflammation are the primary approach to treating allergies, while your doctor may also suggest avoiding triggers like tobacco smoke, mold spores, pollen, dust mites or animal dander that worsen your symptoms. People living with allergic asthma also may need quick-relief medicines like inhalers for quick relief when their symptoms flare up.
Your symptom diary can help you and your doctor keep tabs on symptoms and triggers, providing insight into when treatment plans or changes to medication should begin. If your symptoms become severe – for instance difficulty breathing or persistent wheezing cough – please call emergency services as it could require admission into hospital for treatment. Severe asthma attacks can disrupt work, school and social activities while increasing anxiety by making you worry when the next one will strike.
Treatment
Medication can effectively relieve asthma symptoms while simultaneously protecting against allergic reactions and airway inflammation. There are various options available, including short-acting inhalers (rescue medications), long-acting inhalers and injections known as biologics.
Quick-relief medicines (also called rescue inhalers) provide immediate relief when symptoms such as wheezing or shortness of breath arise, including albuterol, ipratropium bromide and leukotriene modifiers. Long-acting muscarinic antagonists (LAMAs) or anticholinergics may be effective long-term controls of asthma. Available as tablets, capsules, solutions, or syrup to be taken orally such as Zafirlukast and Montelukast as examples of LAMAs/anticolinergics. Controller medications – or maintenance medications – help reduce lung swelling and extra mucus by offering daily support in the form of tablets, liquids or pills such as montelukast; leukotriene inhibitors like montelukast are particularly helpful as they ease inflammation while relaxing pulmonary muscles to make breathing easier.
Nonmedical treatments for allergies and asthma include avoiding allergens that trigger symptoms, such as keeping pets out of the home and sleeping with an air purifier, keeping a symptom diary to identify possible triggers, and immunotherapy – where small doses of allergy-causing substances over a prolonged period build resistance over time – and inducing antibodies with allergy shots or under-the-tongue immunotherapy tablets which dissolve quickly in your mouth. This approach may only be recommended in case of allergic asthma; allergy shots or tablets which dissolve rapidly can deliver this treatment effectively.
Prevention
Long-term control medications that keep airways clear are the most effective way to stop asthma attacks from happening, with bronchodilators and anti-inflammatory medicines among the most frequently taken types. Leukotriene modifiers also play a vital role, by decreasing production of chemicals which cause inflammation that trigger allergic asthma reactions.
Preventive measures also involve eliminating allergens that exacerbate asthma symptoms, including dust mites, pet dander and pollen. This can be accomplished by washing bedding and stuffed animals in hot water before vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner and removing carpets from bedrooms. People sensitive to mold spores may use dehumidifiers regularly in basements, attics, garages and behind large appliances; using steroids or inhaled beta-agonist medication is another possible strategy to alleviate their symptoms; taking medication like steroids or an inhaled beta-agonist may help alleviate symptoms associated with their condition as well.
Maintaining a healthy weight, exercising regularly and avoiding tobacco smoke are all effective measures in the fight against allergic asthma. Knowing your family history is also vital – children with one or both biological parents who suffer from allergies or asthma are at increased risk of having similar issues themselves. Finally, an Asthma Action Plan developed with your doctor provides instructions on how to treat symptoms associated with asthma or allergy attacks.
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