Pollen, pet dander and mold allergens can exacerbate asthma symptoms for some individuals. An allergy occurs when immune system proteins known as antibodies mistakenly identify harmless substances as invading invaders; this triggers your body’s production of chemicals that cause congestion, runny nose and sneezing symptoms.
Doctors can diagnose allergic asthma with physical exams and lung function tests. Treatment options may include quick relief medicines, long-term control medicines and allergy immunotherapy to decrease sensitivity to allergens.
Symptoms
Allergens are harmless substances inhaled by people with allergic asthma and cause their immune systems to overreact, inflaming their airways and narrowing them, leading to frequent episodes of breathing difficulty known as asthma attacks – these episodes may range from mild to severe episodes characterized by chest tightness, wheezing and coughing; flare-ups may even require immediate emergency care in severe cases.
As soon as a person comes in contact with allergens such as pet dander, dust mites, pollen, mold spores or cockroach allergens, their immune systems release potent chemicals called mediators into their lungs to cause airway inflammation, swelling and mucus production – making breathing hard. Immune cells also release proinflammatory substances such as histamines, leukotrienes and cytokines which dilate blood vessels while leukotrienes and cytokines promote bronchoconstriction while leukotrienes/cytokines promote bronchoconstriction while leukotrienes/cytokines promote bronchoconstriction while increasing mucus production – making breathing hard!
Allergic asthma symptoms typically manifest after exposure to allergens and include coughing, wheezing or shortness of breath. Exercise, cold air exposure, viral/bacterial infections or related conditions like gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD). Your physician will review your symptoms, family history and perform a physical exam; depending on their severity they may prescribe quick relief medicines that you inhale via an inhaler device and long-term control medicines to manage inflammation daily.
Diagnosis
People suffering from allergic asthma react to allergens such as pollen, pet dander or mold by activating their immune systems to release chemicals which tighten airways and produce extra mucus, making breathing difficult. Their breathing may become rapid and shallow causing wheezing and coughing as their airways tighten further.
Your doctor can diagnose allergic asthma based on both your medical history and physical exam. He or she will listen to your lungs with a stethoscope while watching how your chest and belly move when breathing; also asking about family allergies/asthma history; checking skin for signs of eczema/atopic dermatitis which increases risk for asthma development; as well as performing other tests for signs of allergic disease in general.
Allergen triggers can be found both indoors and outdoors, such as molds, dust mites, animal dander, tree pollen, grass pollen and weed pollen. Your doctor can help identify your triggers and develop ways of avoiding them such as hiring a lawn service when grass pollen counts are high or using saline nose rinse when around pets; doctors also provide prescription medicines to manage disease or treat flare-ups quickly as well as quick relief medicines; additionally they may recommend immunotherapy treatments to increase tolerance against specific allergens.
Treatment
There may not be an effective cure for allergic asthma, but treatment can reduce symptoms and protect from severe attacks. Your allergist will recommend avoiding triggers, taking medication as prescribed and creating an emergency action plan as part of their advice; additionally they may suggest purchasing a peak flow meter so as to monitor how effectively your airways are functioning.
Allergy shots (immunotherapy) may provide relief for individuals suffering from uncontrolled allergic rhinitis and asthma. By gradually exposing small amounts of allergen to your body, allergy immunotherapy gradually desensitizes it so as to alleviate allergy symptoms over time. These shots must only be administered by licensed allergists for at least 3-5 years in order to be effective.
Antihistamines like Azelastine nasal spray (Astepro) and Cetirizine pills (Zyrtec) may help relieve asthmatic symptoms by blocking histamine, the primary mediator responsible for allergies. Nasal steroid sprays like Fluticasone (Flonase) or leukotriene modifiers may reduce inflammation in the airways to make breathing easier and can also make treatment more manageable.
Inhaled corticosteroids can help to control airway inflammation and asthma symptoms in short or long-acting forms. New medications called biologics may also modify and enhance immune systems in order to decrease inflammation and asthma symptoms, providing injectable treatments suitable for people who do not benefit from other available therapies – talk to your allergist about possible advantages or risks when considering these treatments.
Prevention
Allergic asthma can have serious life-threatening complications if left untreated, including low oxygen levels and respiratory failure. The best way to combat allergic asthma is avoiding triggers and taking your medication as directed; additionally, it’s important to remember there’s no cure but symptoms can be managed over time with proper management and treatment plans.
Allergy immunotherapy (allergy shots) is an ongoing therapy designed to lower your immune system’s reaction to allergens, thus potentially decreasing or even eliminating your need for medications that treat allergy or asthma symptoms.
Medication prescribed to manage allergic asthma includes quick relief medicines used for acute symptoms, long-term control medications used daily to reduce inflammation and allergy-oriented treatments such as nebulizers or inhaled corticosteroids; allergy immunotherapy may reduce their need as well.
As part of managing your allergies and asthma symptoms effectively, it’s essential that you know what triggers them. This includes avoiding contact with things like pet dander and pollen that could trigger allergic reactions; smoke or strong odors could also be potential triggers. Regular visits with your physician and an understanding of both personal and environmental triggers will help ensure the appropriate management strategy.
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