Allergic asthma is a progressive illness that requires constant management to remain manageable, potentially life-threatening if left uncontrolled. Individuals should identify their individual triggers and collaborate closely with healthcare providers to develop an individualized treatment plan for themselves.
Allergens such as dust mites, pollen, pet dander or certain foods may trigger symptoms in those suffering from allergic asthma, including coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath.
Diagnosis
For an accurate diagnosis of allergic asthma, your physician will inquire into your symptoms and conduct a physical exam, using a stethoscope to listen to your breathing and asking if anyone in your family has ever suffered from allergies or asthma. They may also inquire into any diseases or conditions you might be suffering from as well as perform chest x-rays and lung function tests to rule out diseases or conditions as potential triggers; plus allergy testing that includes skin or blood samples from you to identify pollen, mold spores or animal dander as possible allergens or triggers for possible allergy diagnosis and management.
Keep a diary to identify allergen triggers. Your physician can then advise on ways to limit or avoid exposure. This could involve hiring someone else to cut the grass if pollen allergy is the source, or installing an air purifier at home if dust mite allergies are to blame.
Based on the severity of your asthma, your doctor may also order blood and urine tests to screen for other potential conditions like liver or kidney problems. Should they detect such problems, extra precaution will need to be taken with regards to treatment so as not to damage either kidney or liver further.
Triggers
Allergic asthma is a disease in which the airways become oversensitive to certain allergens, leading them to swell and tighten upon inhalation, leading to symptoms like coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Allergic asthma is the most prevalent form of asthma and affects people of all ages; its intensity can be further aggravated by air pollutants, exercise and viral respiratory infections; its symptoms vary from person to person over time. It is considered a long-term condition.
Allergens can be found everywhere and may include dust mites, animal dander, molds and pollen. When inhaled by inhalers, inhaling these allergens causes an immune response which inflames lung passages to swell up with mucus production, leading to coughing and wheezing symptoms associated with allergic asthma.
Environmental triggers of asthma include ozone (smog), tobacco smoke, household cleaners and chemicals used in cleaning services, perfumes or other odors used for household purposes and respiratory infections. Other contributing factors may include family history of allergies/hay fever; gastroesophageal reflux disease; stress; obesity are amongst others.
Identification and avoidance of allergy-related asthma triggers is key to mitigating or alleviating its symptoms. Your healthcare provider can assist in identifying your specific asthma triggers and how best to avoid them; for instance, hiring someone to mow the lawn if grass pollen sensitivity is an issue, washing bedding weekly with hot water to wash away allergens, and using allergen-proof pillow and mattress covers may all be useful options.
Medications
Short-acting beta agonists (often referred to as rescue medications) work quickly and effectively to relieve asthma symptoms during an attack by opening or dilaterating airways in your lungs, usually within minutes. They’re the first medications your doctor will likely give for asthma – albuterol (ProAir, Proventil and Ventolin HFA), levalbuterol (Xopenex) are among the most frequently prescribed short-acting beta agonists; an allergist may prescribe long-acting beta agonists such as salmeterol or formoterol which are more effective when combined with an inhaled corticosteroid in combination.
Antihistamines can relieve allergy symptoms such as itchy skin and watery eyes. Some antihistamines may cause dizziness in older adults; consult your allergist about this possible side effect to learn how to minimize its effect.
Oral and inhaled steroids are among the most essential long-term control medications for asthma, helping reduce inflammation in the lungs while alleviating symptoms. AAAAI experts provide information about leukotriene modifiers (like montelukast sodium ) which treat both allergies and asthma; inhaled long-acting bronchodilators like salmeterol and formoterol; as well as alternative bronchodilators like cromolyn or theophylline which could serve as alternatives.
XOLAIR (omalizumab) is an injectable medication designed to treat allergic asthma by blocking the protein responsible for inflammation in your lungs. As the only effective therapy against attacks triggered by IgE produced as a response to allergens that triggers a chain reaction of tightening airways, XOLAIR provides relief.
Treatment
People living with allergies often struggle with numerous symptoms that interfere with daily living, making life a struggle. There are ways to manage these symptoms and stop them from worsening, including taking medication and avoiding allergens.
First step to effective allergy relief is understanding what triggers your symptoms. A healthcare professional can ask questions about your symptoms and perform lung function tests such as spirometry to ascertain lung health. Next, allergy testing can be done to pinpoint potential allergens which could be contributing to symptoms – this may involve skin prick tests or blood tests to ascertain whether pollen, pet dander, mold or any other allergens may be to blame.
Once your doctor has identified your triggers, they can assist in devising ways to overcome them. This could involve hiring someone to cut your grass if it triggers allergies; staying indoors during pollen season; or washing sheets and pillows regularly with hot water in order to protect from dust mites.
Some individuals with severe allergies need long-term control medications, which help reduce inflammation and airway narrowing. These drugs can either be inhaled through an inhaler or taken by mouth in tablet or liquid form. Biologics (also called targeted therapies ) can target specific inflammatory mediators in your body that cause inflammation to improve asthma control; typically these newer drugs are given as add-on therapy alongside traditional controller medications.
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