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Allergies and Asthma: What’s the Connection?

Asthma and allergies often go hand in hand. Allergic asthma is actually very common in the US. Your body’s reaction to an allergen can often lead to an asthma attack, or it might cause an existing condition to become worse. This is a real problem for people who are suffering from both allergies and asthma, as it means double the irritation and much higher potential for serious health issues.

Allergens cause your body to produce antibodies to get rid of the irritant, causing you to experience a reaction that usually involves sneezing and watering of the eyes. Your body’s response to the allergens also causes inflammation of the airway and nasal linings, so if have an asthma condition you will often suffer an attack at this time. People who have breathing-related allergies and asthma usually suffer greatly during an attack.

Does treatment of allergies result in prevention of asthma? It can certainly lower your chances of experiencing an asthma attack. Allergy shots are very useful because they reduce the ability of your antibodies to react to allergens. This in turns lessens the chances of experiencing an asthma attack.

If you have asthma, it’s recommended that you avoid the things that trigger inflammation of the airways. The most typical culprits are dust mites, pet dander, pollen and certain foods. People who have a family history of allergic asthma have a higher risk of developing the condition. These individuals should be highly cautious around potential allergens. Typically, there’s more than one factor involved when it comes to allergic asthma.

You don’t always have to use medication if you are successful at avoiding the situations that lead to an attack. However, if you do use medication, it’s important that you treat the symptoms of both conditions. Using a nasal spray can calm the inflammation that allergies create. Inhalers are useful for minimizing the inflammation that asthma causes. Be aware, though, that self-medication can have serious consequences. First of all, you should visit your doctor to discuss the most appropriate course of treatment. There are medications available that can be taken to cure both conditions; however these can be dangerous if the person has certain health conditions that may be worsened by the treatment.

It’s recommended that people manage their condition more effectively by learning to identify the factors that lead to an attack. Make sure your doctor knows all of these details as well, as it will help him or her recommend the most appropriate asthma treatments for you and your specific circumstances. The doctor will try to gauge the factors that you have encountered before and the reactions of your body towards past treatments.

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