Allergic asthma is a lung disorder characterized by repeated episodes of wheezing and shortness of breath that are triggered by environmental factors like dust, pet dander or pollen.
These triggers lead to the release of certain inflammatory substances known as leukotrienes that contribute to narrowed airways and excess mucus production, while allergic asthma symptoms can be controlled using medications and lifestyle modifications.
Symptoms
Allergic asthmatics may be susceptible to asthma-inducing dust mites, pet dander and mold spores that tighten airways leading to difficulty breathing. Affected individuals may also experience itchy eyes and runny nose. Other signs include whistling sound while breathing as well as chest tightness or fatigue due to increased work required to breathe properly.
First step to diagnosing allergic asthma: visit a doctor or allergist. A physician or allergist will ask about symptoms and family history before performing a physical exam and taking lung function tests. Furthermore, allergy testing (skin and blood testing) will be done in order to find what triggers an allergic response.
Your doctor will likely prescribe asthma control and quick-relief medicines that must be taken on a regular basis through an inhaler device, nasal spray or saline rinses that reduce mucus production as well as allergens in the nose; allergy shots which help the body become less sensitive to allergens that trigger attacks may also be suggested, either subcutaneous injections or sublingual tablets which dissolve under your tongue; such treatment methods are sometimes known as immunotherapy or biologics.
Diagnosis
Healthcare professionals take an in-depth patient history when diagnosing allergic asthma. In addition, a physical exam and listening with a stethoscope are performed along with lung function tests.
People suffering from allergic asthma often find their immune systems overreact to allergens like pet dander, dust mites and pollen. When these allergens are encountered, the immune system releases histamine-laden chemicals like histamine to target these allergens, leading to airway swelling and narrowing and making breathing more difficult.
Asthmatic symptoms can be exacerbated by irritants like tobacco smoke, cold or dry air and exercise. Work-related allergens like flour, grain dust, isocyanates (chemicals used in paint production), or wood dust are also known to exacerbate asthma symptoms and healthcare professionals advise keeping a symptom diary to identify triggers.
Other symptoms and factors that increase the likelihood of allergic asthma include family history of allergies or eczema, symptoms that worsen during childhood and the presence of gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) or heartburn. Healthcare providers will typically administer an inhalation test called FeNO to verify a diagnosis; this measures the levels of nitric oxide gas produced when inhaling bronchodilators such as BROH-ko-DIE-uh-tor medicine is inhaled into your lungs before and after inhalation; low levels could indicate airway inflammation or swelling.
Treatment
There is no cure for allergic asthma, but treatments can help relieve symptoms and avoid flare-ups. Your doctor may prescribe quick-relief medication (known as rescue medication) that you take when symptoms worsen; or other long-term control medications like corticosteroids or bronchodilators – some even combine steroids and bronchodilators together into one pill.
Your doctor can use a methacholine challenge test to identify whether your asthma symptoms are caused by allergies such as mold spores or pet dander. Inhaling an inhaled solution that narrows airways slightly will be used; if any reaction occurs from inhaling this solution it indicates an allergy against one or more triggers contributing to symptoms and their severity.
People suffering from severe allergies may opt for immunotherapy, a series of injections which gradually lessen your immune system’s reaction to allergens such as pollen or dust, over time. Sublingual immunotherapy (SLIT), on the other hand, involves sublingually administering allergen-containing drops under your tongue on a daily basis. Furthermore, newer biologic injectables like omalizumab (Xolair) and mepolizumab (Nucala) help lower levels of eosinophils which cause asthma symptoms.
Prevention
Air pollution has been linked with an increase in asthma symptoms, including wheezing and shortness of breath. Furthermore, long-term inflammation changes airway structures causing permanent damage with reduced lung function as a result.
Allergic asthma symptoms can be managed through regular medical visits, medication and adherence to an asthma action plan. This plan may involve using quick-relief medicines like inhalers at the first sign of symptoms; long-term control medicines like bronchodilators and corticosteroids may help reduce inflammation and prevent attacks; leukotriene modifiers reduce chemical production that cause airway tightening.
Avoiding allergens is also one way to reduce asthma symptoms, with healthcare professionals helping identify specific triggers, like pet dander and mold. They then devise ways of minimizing exposure. This may include hiring someone to cut the grass if lawn pollen is an issue; using allergen-proof pillow and mattress covers; washing bedding regularly in hot water, or hiring someone else to cut grass as necessary.
Exercise can also be immensely helpful for those living with allergies and asthma, helping reduce anxiety which is known to worsen asthma symptoms. It is also important to keep in mind that asthma is a chronic condition; while symptoms may temporarily improve or go away over time, there is always the potential for them returning at some point in the future.
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