Allergic Asthma
Asthma is a respiratory disease that affects the lungs and is intricately linked with allergies. A tendency towards asthma often is inherited. Although we know a lot about asthma and more than 20 million Americans have this disease, we do not know what causes it. This section will explore what we know about allergic asthma.
Triggers of allergic asthma include allergens such as mold, pollen, dust-mite and cockroach leavings, and animal dander. Other triggers include an assortment of irritants such as cigarette smoke and stimuli such as cold weather, infections, and exercise.
Being a worrywart or the fearful type may also trigger asthma attacks or make an attack more severe. Emotional stress and bodily reactions are tied together in a bond that is, fortunately, breakable through such means as relaxation and exercise, stress management, and proper nutrition. Other asthma triggers capable of causing (or worsening) asthma symptoms include viral infections, drug allergies, and even positive emotions, such as excitement and laughter.
an Allergen? Cigarette smoke, both from smoking and passive smoking, has also been known to increase the risk of asthma and allergic rhinitis. Children are especially vulnerable. |
Symptoms of Allergic Asthma
Asthma symptoms range from mild to severe and may occur occasionally or on a daily basis. Asthma typically starts during childhood, but adults can develop it. Exposure to irritants, such as cigarette smoke, at an early age increases the chances of developing asthma.
An Asthma Attack
Imagine wearing a Victorian corset around your chest that someone keeps pulling tighter and tighter. Such a feeling is a reality to modern-day asthmatics...and they don't even wear corsets. When an asthmatic encounters a trigger, the body reacts by flooding the airways with mucus and causing the inner lining of the bronchi to swell and the airway muscles to contract.
Asthmatics, including children, should identify and avoid triggers of an attack, know signs of an impending attack, and be prepared with prescribed medications. Asthmatics should also alert friends, family, and associates to the classic symptoms of an attack: difficulty breathing, difficulty speaking and walking, hyperventilating, a fast pulse, and a blue or gray skin tone, particularly around the lips (from lack of oxygen). Most importantly, asthmatics and others should know that an asthma attack is a medical emergency and should be treated accordingly.
Does your skin itch whenever you apply a certain lotion or cream? We'll find out the cause in the next section, which reviews skin allergies.
Fact: Asthma is a chronic state of hyper-responsiveness. Some children have asthmatic symptoms that clear up during adolescence while others worsen, but the tendency to have overly sensitive airways usually remains. Unfortunately, there is no way to predict a child's future with asthma. As for allergies, it is erroneous to believe children outgrow allergies as they do a pair of shoes. Allergies may improve over time, especially during puberty. However, don't wait for a spontaneous improvement. Proper treatment will make the child more comfortable and thwart any life-threatening symptoms. |
Learn more about what ails you. Here are some common symptoms.
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