How allergies and asthma are related is a counterintuitive question that, if answered, might help as many as 20 millions of Americans suffering from allergic asthma, most of whom go undetected or misdiagnosed.
Our doctors are allergists, specialized in testing, diagnosing and treating allergies and asthma and they do that every single day.
With this blog we aim to support their continuous dedication to helping patients. This is for anyone who suffers from allergies or asthma, we also recommend sharing it. By simply forwarding this to someone who you know fights with any of the conditions, you will have contributed to the wellness of the community.
What’s asthma
Asthma is a disease that affects the organs (airways) that bring oxygen in and out of the lungs. While regularly breathing, air goes in through the nose, reaches small sacks called “alveoli” at the bottom of air tubes where oxygen is retained and released to the lungs and carbon dioxide expelled.
An asthma “attack” takes place when the tubes are irritated by something like pollen or dust. Consequently, the tubes’ muscles tighten, the internal tissue swells and mucus is produced in excess: that’s when air doesn’t move easily anymore and it proves difficult to breathe regularly.
Asthma (most common) symptoms: cough, tightness of chest, wheezing, and pain.
→ What causes asthma: the same triggers of hay fever, like pet dander, pollen, and dust may also be the culprit of asthma.
What’s an allergy
An allergy is a reaction to an otherwise harmless substance like pet dander or tree pollen. The body’s antibodies “read” the protein contained in the allergen as an enemy and react to mistakenly protect the body.
An allergic reaction can be mild and resolve in a short period of time or be severe, need medications and in the most severe cases an ER visit.
Allergy (most common) symptoms: continuous nasal congestion, watery nose, itchy eyes and nose, skin reactions (hives). When lungs and airways are affected, asthma flares are to be expected.
→ What causes allergies: pet dander, dust, food like peanuts and eggs, mold, some minerals and medications.
What is allergic asthma
It’s one type of asthma caused by allergies, specifically pollen, dust, pet dander and mold-spores. To diagnose allergic asthma you need to consult the right specialist, the allergist. Get tested for allergies, diagnosed and treated for allergies while being treated for asthma, control the environment and the occurrence of asthma flares will reduce in intensity and frequency.
→ What else do they have in common: medications and treatments such as allergy shots, or immunotherapy, that serve as a factor reducing the body’s reactions to an allergy trigger.
TRIVIA
- Asthma is the n. 1 cause of absence in school: in Florida it gets always estimated as the number one cause of absence in school.
- I immediately take the medication when I first get the symptom. Each allergy medication has a timing and self-medication is almost never the answer, consult the specialist and abide by the prescription.
- Honey is the only natural remedy for allergies. Not proven scientifically, but local honey is never a bad idea to support farm to table and local businesses and maintain a healthier nutritional level.
- “I am allergic to pollen”: it’s not sufficient, you must know which tree, grass or molds to keep living your life.
Sources:
[1] http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/basics/causes/con-20026992
[2]http://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/asthma/in-depth/allergies-and-asthma/art-20047458?p=1
[3] http://www.healthline.com/health/allergies/allergies-asthma#1
[4] http://www.webmd.com/allergies/ss/slideshow-common-allergy-triggers?ecd=wnl_aaa_030716&ctr=wnl-aaa-030716_nsl-ld-stry_title&mb=ry5TvQjox5mH89WFeB4zu2dEpmNqbUHLHvjSVWT%2fLtk%3d
[5] http://www.parents.com/health/allergies/seasonal/things-you-didnt-know-about-kids-seasonal-allergies/?socsrc=Parents_TWITTER_20160406161500
