Better Breathing: Control Of Asthma And Allergies

When your breathing isn't as good as it should be, this could indicate that your allergies are not under control. While allergies and asthma are two separate diagnoses, the two often go together to cause a set of symptoms. What causes your allergy symptoms to flare up are often the same irritants that cause your asthma to create problems. You can even get asthma symptoms from food or skin allergies, so it's important to pay attention to your triggers.

Understanding Allergies and Asthma Reactions

If you begin to experience an allergic response to a substance, this is your body's immune system reacting to the substance as if it is harmful. Your body begins to produce antibodies in an effort to attack the allergen, even if it is not dangerous to you. When your body reacts to an allergen, you may start to have congestion, itchy skin, or watery eyes. A reaction to an allergen can also produce asthma symptoms and cause difficulty breathing.

Treatment For Allergies and Asthma

Some treatments you receive can help with both allergies and asthma. Allergy shots can help reduce the severity of your body's response to an allergen. Allergy shots will help both your allergies and your asthmatic response to the allergen over time. Treatment can take a few years of routine injections to get you on the path to recovery.

How Allergies and Asthma are Different

You can be diagnosed with allergies and not have asthma associated with it. You can also have asthma that isn't caused from allergens and not be allergic to anything. Medication to control allergies is different than medication used specifically for asthma control. You will need to work with an allergist to determine whether your symptoms are caused by allergies, asthma, or a combination of both. While asthma can be caused by allergies, asthma can also be caused by exercise, stress, cold air, or reflux disease.

Take Charge of Your Breathing

Understand that your allergies and asthma can change over the years. If you have symptoms that you are not able to get under control, it's time to talk with an allergist or asthma care services professional who can help you. When you are relying heavily on rescue inhalers, it's time to identify your specific triggers.

Allergies and asthma often go together. When you struggle to breathe after contact with an allergen, learn more about how allergy care services can help you. Better breathing is possible, but you have to know what you are allergic to in order to figure out a good treatment plan.