Allergic asthma can be managed effectively with medications that prevent attacks, reduce inflammation and widen airways – these include steroids and bronchodilators.
Your doctor will ask about your symptoms and family history before performing a physical exam. Your physician may also order lung function testing and allergy testing as necessary.
Symptoms
People suffering from allergic asthma experience a variety of symptoms when exposed to allergens like pollen, mold spores, animal dander or dust mites. Exposure causes inflammation and constriction of airways which makes breathing difficult; symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, coughing and chest tightness which may worsen depending on environmental factors like cold air temperature, exercise intensity or stress levels.
Your immune system’s primary role is to defend against bacteria and viruses; however, when it comes to allergic asthma, your immune system becomes overreactive, treating things such as cat dander or pollen as foreign invaders and reacting by releasing histamine into your airways, triggering an inflammatory response which leads to swelling, extra mucus production and release to flush allergens from your system. Other symptoms of an overreactive response can include runny noses or itchy eyes.
Your allergist will take several steps during diagnosis to assess if you are allergic asthmatic, including asking about your medical history and symptoms and conducting tests to confirm it – such as lung function testing, allergy skin testing, blood testing or immunotherapy for long-term control of this condition. They may also suggest immunotherapy which helps train the body to tolerate allergens over time for permanent control.
Diagnosis
Your doctor will examine you and ask about your symptoms to reach a diagnosis. They may also inquire into your family history of allergies or asthma. It is a good idea to keep a diary detailing when symptoms appear so that you can show this to the physician during an exam, including listening to your lungs with a stethoscope while watching for breathing issues.
Blood allergy tests can help your physician identify what you’re allergic to and avoid triggers that aggravate symptoms, like runny noses, itchy eyes or sneezing. Blood tests detect specific antibodies (IgE) against allergens; when exposed, these release chemicals called histamine which trigger runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing. Although skin testing may provide more comprehensive results – blood testing still can provide useful clues in finding triggers.
Your doctor will prescribe medications to manage and prevent flare-ups of symptoms, typically via inhalers or nebulizers, depending on the severity of your condition. In more serious instances, oral medication might also be prescribed to address underlying causes behind symptoms.
Allergy immunotherapy is a treatment designed to train your body to adapt over time to allergens, thus decreasing medication needs. This therapy is usually recommended for mild-to-moderate allergic asthma sufferers; typically lasting three to five years to complete its course. Be sure to regularly discuss flare-ups with your physician and how best to avoid them.
Treatment
Step one of treatment should always include avoiding allergens; your physician can advise on this matter. Medication may also help alleviate symptoms and triggers, including anticholinergics like Tiotropium Bromide (Spiriva Respimat) – used for decreasing IgE levels in people ages 6 years and over.
Allergens are substances that trigger your immune system to overreact and become inflamed and swollen, making breathing harder for you. They include dust, mold spores, pet dander and pollen.
Your doctor can recommend allergy tests, such as skin or blood tests, to identify your allergic triggers. Immunotherapy treatments – like allergy shots or tablet treatments – may also help build tolerance to allergens.
If you have allergic asthma, it is essential that you follow your physician’s care plan closely in order to keep symptoms under control and stop them from worsening. They will check on your progress at regular follow-up appointments by asking about how often and severely symptoms appear and using peak flow meters to measure lung function.
If your symptoms become severe, seek emergency room assistance immediately. This is particularly crucial if shortness of breath prevents you from speaking or walking and blue lips or fingernails appear, or breathing difficulty occurs.
Prevention
To avoid asthma flare-ups, an individual must identify his/her allergy triggers and devise a treatment plan. An allergist can provide valuable assistance by performing skin and blood tests to identify items which cause an allergic response, or individuals can seek relief through medications such as inhalers (typically steroids), bronchodilators and allergy shots. Regular follow up with healthcare providers is key since symptoms of this condition may shift over time.
People can take steps to limit exposure to allergy triggers like pet dander and pollen. Furthermore, air pollution and secondhand smoke are two elements that may exacerbate symptoms; thus it is wise to limit outdoor activities during times when air pollutants and pollen levels are at their highest. Cleaning homes regularly to remove dust mites and potential allergens as well as using allergen-proof mattress and pillow covers are other steps individuals can take.
As well, people should carry an epinephrine self-injector for emergency use during any life-threatening allergic reactions. Furthermore, it may be wise to visit an asthma specialist or immunologist who can develop an asthma action plan tailored specifically to each person’s unique triggers and symptoms, significantly improving quality of life while decreasing medication needs.
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