Allergy triggers cause the immune system to release inflammatory substances that inflame airways and promote mucus production, further narrowing and inflaming them. Furthermore, these substances also increase mucus production.
Medication can help manage allergic asthma symptoms and prevent flare-ups. Individuals should work closely with their doctor to create personalized treatment plans that include avoiding allergens while taking inhaled steroids or bronchodilators as necessary. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) may also help lessen allergy and asthma symptoms over time.
Medications
Though asthma cannot be cured, it can be well managed with our allergist’s assistance. They will teach you to identify triggers and manage symptoms using both quick-acting (rescue inhalers) and long-term control medications (or preventives).
Rescue inhalers provide temporary relief by opening airways and decreasing swelling for at least 12 hours, such as albuterol (ProAir HFA, Proventil HFA and Ventolin HFA), or epinephrine (Atrovent). For rapid relief drugs that provide more long-term effects such as combination quick relief drugs using both short-acting beta agonists like Ipratropium (Atrovent) as well as anticholinergics like Atrovent (ipratropium), they prove more effective than either drug alone.
These medicines reduce inflammation in your lungs and can be taken daily to keep symptoms at bay. Corticosteroids such as fluticasone, budesonide, mometasone, beclomethasone and ciclesonide are particularly helpful, though other long-acting control medications such as leukotriene modifiers like montelukast sodium, zafirlukast sodium and zileuton as well as the nitric oxide inhibitor terbutaline (Benair BT).
These medications work by altering how your immune system responds to allergy triggers. Your allergist will conduct blood tests to identify which one would be the most suitable; once chosen, injection or sublingual administration every two to eight weeks is recommended. Additional options for managing allergies include immunotherapy involving regular shots of allergens to build tolerance over time and omalizumab (Xolair), which targets proteins released when exposed to allergens.
Lifestyle Changes
Implementing an asthma action plan and taking appropriate medications are both key elements to keeping symptoms under control. A well-rounded plan should include prescription for long-acting controller medications as well as instructions on when and how to take quick-relief drugs – consult with your physician regarding which ones you need, any side effects they might cause and what actions to take should your symptoms worsen.
Avoid things that could aggravate asthma symptoms, known as allergens. These allergens include pollen, dust mites, animal dander, mold and strong scents; when inhaled these allergens stimulate one’s immune system to release chemicals which irritate airways and make breathing difficult.
At its worst, an asthma attack can be very dangerous. They may lead to permanent narrowing of lung passages – known as airway remodeling.
An allergist can assist in identifying allergens that trigger asthma symptoms and provide treatments to lessen them, including allergy blood tests that identify specific substances triggering immune reactions, allergy shots or sublingual tablets (immunotherapy) to lessen their impact, and eventually enable patients to resume active lifestyles unrestricted by their asthma symptoms. The goal of treatment should be allowing a full and active lifestyle unhindered by asthma attacks.
Avoiding Triggers
Allergens can be found anywhere, and inhaling them can trigger symptoms such as runny nose, sneezing, itchy eyes or shortness of breath. Your immune system responds by producing chemicals which irritate airways leading to asthma symptoms – different people have unique triggers which should be avoided as part of managing asthma effectively.
Your doctor can assist in recognizing allergy triggers and providing solutions to avoid them. Allergy tests may also prove useful in pinpointing specific allergens.
Dust mites, pet dander and mold are common indoor triggers of asthmatic symptoms; allergens released into the air such as pollen from trees or grass may also trigger asthmatic reactions. People with allergic asthma should stay inside during high pollen or mold counts by closing windows and turning on air conditioning – otherwise their asthmatic symptoms could worsen further.
Other common triggers include strong odors, tobacco smoke and exercise. Foods containing sulfites (potatoes, dried fruit and wine) may also trigger symptoms in individuals who are sensitive to them.
An allergy test can identify your individual allergens and help identify an effective plan to manage asthma symptoms. When combined with detailed history, physical examination, and medication assessment, an allergy test can assist healthcare providers in creating the ideal plan to reduce medication requirements, avoid flare-ups, and improve quality of life.
See Your Doctor
Symptoms such as wheezing, shortness of breath, mucus-producing coughing or tight chest should be evaluated immediately by a family doctor or specialist. He or she will review medical histories as well as perform physical exams; additionally specialized testing such as breathing tests may be suggested by your provider.
An IgE blood allergy test can help your doctor identify which allergens are triggering reactions and prescribe treatments to minimize exposure. They may also explain how using both quick-acting medication and lifestyle modifications to avoid triggers may help alleviate asthma symptoms while decreasing long-term medication requirements.
Your doctor will assess the severity of your asthma by looking at how often its symptoms manifest themselves. Intermittent asthma symptoms occur up to two days per week or twice each month at night, while mild persistent symptoms appear daily or more than three times each week during the day, while moderate persistent symptoms affect daily activities more significantly than its counterparts.
Your doctor will create an action guide detailing all of your medications and when and how you should take them. This should include instructions on when and how often you should use a quick-relief inhaler as well as when and how often to check symptoms, like wheezing or tightness of chest. Furthermore, this action guide should outline steps you can take if your symptoms worsen, such as calling emergency services or going to an emergency room.
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