Allergic asthma is often brought on by allergens (pollen, dust mites, dust mite waste and animal dander) and linked with other atopic conditions like eczema and hay fever. Nonallergic triggers like viral infections, exercise or cold air may exacerbate symptoms and make breathing even harder.
Patients suffering from allergic asthma can benefit from understanding and avoiding their allergy triggers as well as receiving treatment for both their allergies and asthma symptoms.
Symptoms
Wheezing, chest tightness, and shortness of breath are the hallmark symptoms of allergic asthma, typically brought on by inhaling pollen, grass, ragweed or animal dander; but can also be activated by cold air, exercise or respiratory infections.
Allergies are caused by a release of histamine into the body, with symptoms manifesting most directly through nose and throat areas such as sneezing, runny/stuffy noses, itchy eyes or skin rashes. Nasal sprays can provide temporary relief by decreasing inflammation and congestion in these areas.
Allergic asthma is characterized by an over-reactive immune system, leading to tightening and narrowing of airway muscles that tighten and narrow them, making breathing more difficult and leading to recurrent episodes of difficulty breathing – also known as asthma attacks. During an attack, inflamed and swollen airway muscles produce excess mucus production while contracting muscles can narrow even further narrowing airways further requiring emergency medical treatment immediately.
Healthcare professionals can diagnose allergic asthma by asking a person about their symptoms and conducting tests to measure airflow through their lungs. Lung function tests and allergy testing, such as skin or blood tests, will be utilized by healthcare providers in diagnosing it as well as determine whether seasonal or year-round allergies are contributing to asthma symptoms.
Diagnosis
Allergy blood tests can assist your healthcare provider in diagnosing the source of your allergic asthma symptoms. These blood tests examine antibodies against specific allergens like pet dander or pollen that trigger an immune system overreaction, leading to swelling and tightening in your airways, which in turn create symptoms such as runny noses, itchy eyes and sneezing – symptoms often associated with allergic or asthma conditions.
Your doctor will conduct a physical exam and ask about symptoms as well as your family history of allergies and asthma, using tools such as a stethoscope to listen to your lungs and measure height and weight to assess overall health. They may recommend a peak flow meter to track how you’re responding over time – if worsening symptoms increase when using the peak flow meter that could indicate something isn’t functioning optimally within your lungs.
Doctors will often conduct lung function tests such as spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide (FeNO). Additionally, allergy testing – either skin prick or blood testing – may also be administered. This testing can show whether seasonal (tree, grass or weed pollens) or year-round allergens such as animal dander or dust mite allergens are triggering your asthma; they can also identify genetic susceptibilities to developing allergies; they may even conduct provocation tests in which potential triggers are exposed and watch how your lungs react in response.
Treatment
Immunotherapy – allergy shots or oral tablets that teach the immune system to tolerate allergens — may provide long-term control in some people with allergic asthma.
Short-acting medications like inhaled steroids that fight inflammation and bronchodilators that open airways may provide temporary relief when symptoms flare. Leukotriene modifiers such as montelukast (Singulair) may also help alleviate symptoms associated with allergies and asthma.
Tracking when and how your symptoms occur can help both you and your doctor assess if their treatment plan is working effectively. Furthermore, follow up regularly with them.
As your symptoms shift or long-term medications no longer provide relief, your treatment plan may need to change accordingly. If symptoms become severe enough to limit speaking or walking due to shortness of breath or blue lips and fingernails, seek emergency medical assistance immediately as untreated asthma could prove fatal.
Prevention
People living with allergies and asthma can take steps to avoid complications by creating an action plan to manage symptoms. This may involve taking control medicine, avoiding triggers and getting enough restful sleep – it is also crucial that vaccinations against influenza and pneumonia remain up-to-date.
Sleeping between 7 to 8 hours each night helps strengthen the immune system, which in turn can prevent allergic reactions and asthma attacks. Avoiding allergens that make symptoms worse – animal dander, molds, pollen from trees, grasses and flowers and household dust mites among them – is another key component. In addition, wearing a medical alert bracelet will allow emergency responders to quickly identify someone suffering from severe allergies or asthma.
Environment factors and workplace chemicals may aggravate allergies and asthma symptoms, while food allergies such as peanuts, tree nuts, cow’s milk, egg and fish may exacerbate them further. People with food allergies should exercise extreme caution when adding new items to their diet.
Exercise can also help manage asthma and allergies; however, if symptoms worsen it’s wise to consult a healthcare professional prior to beginning any physical activity regimen. Recording your symptom patterns could assist healthcare providers in identifying possible triggers. Keeping a diary may also prove invaluable in this process.
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