Inhalant Allergic Response Asthma

Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, often arising from allergies, that is characterized by sudden, recurring attacks of labored breathing, chest constriction, and coughing. In an asthma attack, constriction of the muscles that surround the bronchial airways and inflammation and swelling of their lining temporarily blocks the passage of air.

 

An asthmatic individual does not have a problem with breathing in, only when breathing out. This is due to the way the ribs relax and the diaphragm slides up during exhalation, preventing the air from getting around the blockage in the airways. Many asthmatics use an inhaler that takes medicine directly into the bronchial tubes for constant relief of their symptoms. The inhaler, which transforms liquid medication into a mist, has greater benefits and fewer side effects than oral medication.

 

In more severe cases, inhalant allergy is a primary cause of asthma. Most inhalant allergies include pollens, dust, molds, insect particles, and animal danders. The proteins in inhalant allergens are what trigger the allergy, and can vary in severity due to seasonal changes. Tree and grass pollens are usually worse in the spring, while weed pollens are usually worse in the fall. Molds and house dust are worse in winter months but can be prevalent at any time, especially when the weather is humid or rainy.

 

Mold, however, does not have a strictly limited season and consists of microscopic fungi that release spores into the air that can produce allergic symptoms. Molds can be found both inside and outside of the home because the spores are spread through the air.

 

House dust mites, which are microscopic bugs that live off human skin cells, can be found in pillows, mattresses, box springs, blankets, carpets, and upholstered furniture. These mites produce waste particles to which allergic individuals react. Chronic exposure to dust mite allergen can cause rhinitis, eczema and asthma, especially when exposed to the allergen at an early age.

 

Goals of Asthma Management
1. Normalize lifestyle (taking into account environmental control); the individual should be able to participate in virtually any activity he or she wishes.

 

2. Freedom from night/early AM symptoms; sleep should not be disturbed by asthma symptoms.

 

3. Relief or medications should not be required daily (other than with vigorous exercise).

 

4. To normalize or optimize lung function as measured by peak flow or lung function testing.

 

Allergy shots or allergy desensitization involves getting injections of small amounts of the triggering allergen. This procedure works in a way similar to vaccinations because your body will react to the injected allergen by building immunity to it. As immunity builds, subsequent environmental exposures to this allergen will not be as likely to trigger an allergic response, such as an asthma attack.

 

Testing for allergies is important for anyone experiencing seasonal allergies, including the asthmatic, to help determine which allergies may trigger his or her asthma. A highly recommended method of testing for inhalant allergens is performed with skin endpoint titration (SET) testing, which can determine the endpoint of reaction to an inhalant allergen and the safe initial dosage for treatment of the detected allergens. SET testing is safe, reliable, easy to read and gives immediate results.