Allergic asthma is typically triggered by inhaling allergens like dust mites, pet dander, mold spores and pollen. Once an allergen enters the body, antibodies bind with it and trigger release of chemicals that create symptoms of allergic asthma.
These chemicals may also trigger asthma attacks, leading to wheezing and shortness of breath. Your doctor may suggest treating allergy symptoms using antihistamines or corticosteroid medicines for treatment of allergic asthma.
Symptoms
Pollen and pet dander allergies can trigger asthma attacks in certain individuals, often manifested through wheezing – a high-pitched noise made when inhaling or exhaling, detectable by healthcare providers using a stethoscope – among other symptoms. Other effects may include tightness in your chest (chest pressure) as well as shortness of breath or exhaustion; in extreme cases this condition could even lead to respiratory failure, potentially endangering life itself.
As soon as allergens enter your body, your immune system recognizes them as invaders and releases chemicals to combat them, including histamine, to flush out allergens from your system. Histamine also causes your body to produce extra mucus to flush them away – producing runny nose and itchy eyes as side effects due to histamine release.
If your symptoms worsen or occur more frequently and appear related to specific allergens, consult a healthcare provider immediately about getting tested for allergies and asthma. They may also suggest immunotherapy as a preventive measure that trains your body over time to tolerate allergens more comfortably and reduce symptoms; typically this treatment takes the form of allergy shots or tablets dissolved under your tongue; other forms may also prove beneficial depending on your individual situation.
Diagnosis
If you suffer from allergic asthma symptoms, it’s essential that you meet with a healthcare provider immediately. They may suggest an inhaler called a rescue inhaler with fast-acting medicines to open airways quickly or a maintenance inhaler that you use regularly to keep symptoms under control.
Your doctor will discuss your health history, conduct a physical exam and compile a detailed list of symptoms. They may ask what makes symptoms worse or better and any triggers they seem to have; improving or preventing symptoms by understanding and avoiding triggers is possible.
Allergy tests may be recommended to identify allergens that exacerbate or trigger symptoms, typically through skin prick and/or blood tests that measure levels of certain white blood cells like eosinophils [eo-sin-OH-fil-LIZZ] and immunoglobulin E (IgE).
Your doctor will use a stethoscope and pulse oximeter, worn on your finger, to check for wheezing. They may also perform lung function tests such as spirometry and fractional exhaled nitric oxide testing (FeNO), using breathing patterns as indicators that the airways may be dilatant; in addition, chest x-ray and CT scan imaging can be ordered if narrowing or damage has occurred to any airways.
Treatment
Antibiotics cannot relieve allergic asthma symptoms completely, but treatments may help ease symptoms and avoid flare-ups. Furthermore, treatments may slow the process of airway remodeling – narrowing of airways caused by allergies – while healthcare professionals can assist by helping their clients identify triggers such as cat dander or pollen which cause their symptoms to flare-up and find ways to eliminate or reduce these allergens.
Quick-relief medications like inhalers with bronchodilators such as salbutamol (Benadryl) or albuterol (ProAir) may quickly open your airways when experiencing an asthma flare-up. Doctors may also prescribe long-term control medications that reduce inflammation and lower chances of flare-ups over time – such as steroids like Fluticasone (Flonase), Budesonide (Pulmicort Flexhaler) and Mometasone (Asmanex).
Biologic medications aim to decrease inflammation at its core rather than just mask symptoms. Such medicines include anti-IgE (which prevents IgE antibodies from triggering allergic reactions); eosinophil reduction (which decreases white blood cells that promote inflammation); and TSLP (which blocks proteins responsible for initiating an inflammatory response).
Other treatments for chronic sinusitis may include avoiding exposure to smoke from smoking or others’, regularly washing your hands, using a saline rinse to flush out your nose, keeping dust levels down in your home, using bronchial thermoplasty procedures or taking medications such as Tiotropium bromide (Spiriva Respimat) may all be effective strategies. For severe symptoms a procedure known as bronchial thermoplasty or medication such as Tiotropium Bromide could also be considered.
Prevention
Pollen, dust mites and pet dander that cause allergic rhinitis symptoms can also trigger asthma symptoms, through pollen irritation of airways narrowing or producing extra mucus in the lungs causing difficulty in breathing; this process is known as asthma exacerbation.
Preventing asthma flare-ups is key to effectively managing it, and those living with it can do their part by being aware of their symptoms, avoiding triggers and taking regular asthma medicines. Furthermore, people should practice good hygiene to maintain clean air at home and work.
Foods containing sulfites may exacerbate asthma in certain people. So can some common medications like aspirin and ACE inhibitors (used to treat high blood pressure).
Air pollution is another important contributor to allergic asthma, and WHO is working with countries to develop training for health workers on how to reduce and control exposure to pollutants that can contribute to chronic respiratory diseases like asthma. They also support governments in creating policy, guidelines and tools designed to enhance air quality.
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