ASTHMA

Asthma is a lung disease characterized by chronic inflammation. It affects at least 25 million people in the United States alone.

Possible Symptoms:

Coughing, perhaps an allergy cough
Shortness of breath
Chest tightness
Wheezing

Possible Triggers:

Irritants
Allergens
Viral infections
Sinus infections
Acid Reflux from gastro-esophageal reflux disease
Exercise
Emotional Anxiety
Medications
Foods

As many as 8 out of 10 of asthma sufferers also experience allergic rhinitis. This makes allergic rhinitis (also called “hay fever”) a significant risk factor for developing asthma. Symptoms of both diseases can be caused by anything that triggers your allergies, including pollen allergy, cat and dog allergies, mold allergy, cockroach allergy, and dust mite allergy.

Some triggers do not cause allergic reactions, but can still aggravate your airways and nose. These substances are called irritants and may trigger your asthma symptoms. These are not allergens and, although they can cause asthma symptoms and worsen existing asthma, do not cause an allergic reaction:

Air pollutants like wood smoke, ozone, and other airborne chemicals

Tobacco smoke: several studies have shown an increased occurrence of asthma in children who have mothers who smoke. You should never smoke (or allow someone else to smoke) in the home of a person with asthma.
Dust, vapors, fumes, or gases that you are exposed to at work
Strong sprays or odors such as household cleaners, perfumes, cooking fumes (especially when frying), varnishes, or paints
Airborne particles like coal dust, talcum powder, or chalk dust
Variable weather conditions, like changes in barometric pressure, humidity, or temperature, or even strong winds

Viral infections (like colds or certain forms of pneumonia) can aggravate or trigger asthma, especially with young children. These infections may irritate the airways (throat, nose, sinuses, and lungs) and the added irritation can trigger asthma flare-ups. In addition, sinusitis – the inflammation of the hollow chambers found around the nose and eyes – can trigger asthma. Sinusitis symptoms include post-nasal drip, wheezing, cough, sinus pain or pressure, headaches, or enlarged lymph nodes. Since sinusitis usually causes drainage of mucus into the throat, nose, and bronchial tubes, it can aggravate or trigger asthma.

Prolonged, strenuous exercise is also known to trigger asthma attacks, as are exercising in dry, cold air and breathing through your mouth while exercising. This is called exercise-induced asthma (EIA).

Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD) occurs when stomach acid comes up from the stomach into the esophagus, and affects as many as 9 out of 10 people with asthma. Symptoms include repeated heartburn, severe heartburn, night-time asthma, asthma symptoms after exercise or after meals, frequent coughing, hoarseness, and belching. Treatment of GERD may decrease asthma symptoms.

Some asthmatic adults may experience asthma symptoms after taking specific medications. These medications include aspirin, ibuprofen, and other non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDS) and beta-blockers (used in the treatment of high blood pressure, heart disease, and migraines). As many as 2 out of 10 adults with asthma experience NSAID or aspirin sensitivity. Patients with asthma should consult their doctors about any over-the-counter medications they are taking or want to start taking.

Eating certain foods or food additives can lead to asthma symptoms, especially in children. Triggers include eggs, milk, tree nuts, peanuts, wheat, soy, fish, and shellfish. If you find that any food triggers asthma symptoms, it is best to try to avoid eating that food. Sometimes someone with an allergy cough may think they have a milk allergy. A more likely explanation is that they have a postnasal drip from a pollen allergy and the milk protein is simply making the mucus thicker. Allergy tests can determine if there is a milk allergy or just a pollen or dust mite allergy.

As with any other chronic health condition, proper nutrition, exercise, and rest are important to your overall well-being and can help you manage your symptoms. Stress management can also prevent anxiety and fatigue, which can increase the likelihood of an asthma attack.

ASTHMA MANAGEMENT

Asthma is a chronic disease that requires regular management. According to the National Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma, the treatment of asthma should have four main features:

Assessing and monitoring lung function using objective tests (spirometry, for example)
Avoiding triggers by modifying your environment
Medication therapy, as needed, for long-term prevention of airway inflammation as well as short-term symptom management
Patient education

Effective asthma treatment should also have six main goals:

Prevent troublesome and chronic symptoms
Maintain as close to “normal” breathing as possible
Maintain regular activity levels, even exercise
Reduce the need for emergency treatment and prevent recurrent asthma flare-ups
Effective medication therapy that has minimal or no adverse side effects
Patient satisfaction with their asthma care

If you are educated about what causes your asthma symptoms and how to manage them, you can reduce the amount that your symptoms interference with your life. It is important to avoid your asthma triggers, develop and follow an asthma management plan with your physician, and use asthma medications as prescribed. Together, you and your physician can work toward ensuring that asthma does not interfere with your quality of life.

SUMMARY

Our goal at the AllergyCorp Grooup is to identify the cause of our patients’ symptoms and establish a customized treatment plan in support of a healthier outcome. We have the newest treatments and testing, we see both adult and pediatric (children 5yrs and older) & we offer convenient allergy and asthma clinic. Call AllergyCorp Group today at 910-207-6520 for Wilmington or 910-265-2586 for Whiteville clini.