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Are you aware that allergies and asthma are connected? If you have allergies, you can also develop asthma. According to recent reports, India has a burden of 17.23 million asthma cases with an overall prevalence of 2.05%1. The disease has accounted for significant morbidity and mortality rates, which are well above the global burden. This blog post provides a closer insight into the link between asthma and allergies.
Synopsis
What are Allergies?
An allergy is an immunological response to specific allergens. The response occurs when someone with allergies comes into contact with these allergens, triggering the body to produce antibodies. When exposed to these allergens, affected individuals often develop allergy symptoms.
What is Asthma?
Asthma is a respiratory disorder that causes inflammation and narrowing of air passages, causing breathing difficulty. Asthma attacks can be triggered by several factors, one of the primary causes being allergies. Individuals diagnosed with asthma should undergo regular check-ups to monitor their symptoms and modify their treatment accordingly.
Symptoms of Allergies and Asthma
Both allergies and asthma can affect the respiratory system and cause difficulty breathing.
Allergy symptoms:
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Runny nose
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Itchy and watery eyes
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Skin rash
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Nasal congestion
Asthma symptoms
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Wheezing
Those with allergic asthma may show similar symptoms as allergies. If you develop any of the above symptoms, seek a doctor’s advice for a proper diagnosis and treatment. Ignoring these signs can potentially cause life-threatening asthma attacks.
Common Allergens for Allergies and Asthma
Allergy and asthma are often caused by exposure to allergens. Some of the common triggers for both are:
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Pollens
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Mould
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Dust mites
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Pet dander
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Certain foods
Other asthma triggers are:
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Exercise
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Stress
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Exposure to irritants or air pollution
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Skin, food, or respiratory allergies cause allergic asthma
Individuals susceptible to allergies or asthma must identify their triggers and take necessary measures to avoid these conditions to preserve good respiratory health.
How are Allergies and Asthma Connected?
Allergies and asthma are two separate entities; however, they may occur together. This is because both of these conditions have common triggers that cause the immune system to overreact to harmless substances. Therefore, it causes the release of histamine, which results in inflammation or other symptoms.
Individuals with allergies often develop immune responses in their noses and sinuses, causing allergic symptoms. At the same time, those with asthma develop an immune response in the lung airways. Developing asthma causes the airways to become inflamed and constricted, causing asthma attacks or symptoms.
In some instances, allergies in individuals with asthma could trigger asthma attacks. This is attributed to elevated Immunoglobulin E (IgE), the antibody involved in allergic responses. Those developing allergy attack symptoms find it even harder to breathe and have severe asthma attacks requiring immediate medical attention.
Diagnosis of Allergy and Asthma
Differentiating between the two conditions can be difficult, as they share similar symptoms. However, proper disease management requires an accurate diagnosis.
Asthma allergy test involves identifying specific allergens through blood tests or skin prick tests. The patients are exposed to various allergens to check for allergic reactions. The medical history and patient's symptoms can also provide clues for the disease diagnosis.
On the other hand, diagnosing asthma requires a comprehensive evaluation, including a medical history, a physical exam, and lung function tests. Your family history, triggers, or asthma can help with the diagnosis. To confirm an asthma diagnosis, doctors assess your lung function with the help of spirometry or peak flow tests.
Asthma can be hard to diagnose in children since several childhood conditions can exhibit similar symptoms. Even though lung function tests and exhaled nitric oxide tests are available for diagnosing asthma in children, they are only somewhat accurate after 5 years of age.
Treatment for Asthma
Even though a complete cure is impossible, treatment helps reduce symptoms and improve the patient's quality of life. It can be achieved with several allergic asthma treatment methods.
Allergies are commonly treated with medications (antihistamines) to reduce allergic reactions. These medications are available as oral tablets or nasal sprays. Nasal steroids and leukotriene inhibitors (Montelukast) may also be used to mellow the symptoms of allergic reactions. Immunotherapy (allergy shots) may be recommended in patients with severe allergies, where the patient is exposed to small amounts of allergens to gradually build tolerance.
Asthma management involves the use of asthma inhalers. These inhalers often contain bronchodilators, or corticosteroids, which help treat asthma attacks or prevent symptoms from occurring. Bronchodilators help open the airways and relieve symptoms, whereas corticosteroids help reduce inflammation within the airways in severe asthma. Additionally, making lifestyle modifications like being physically active, managing stress, and avoiding tobacco smoke can help reduce the symptoms. Rescue inhalers can help with childhood asthma management.
Most treatment options are designed to treat allergies or asthma. However, treatment options such as leukotriene inhibitors, immunotherapy, and anti-IgE therapy can help ease the symptoms of both conditions. When conventional treatment options fail, biologics can help prevent allergies and inflammation.
Understanding the connection between allergies and asthma can help manage both of these conditions effectively. Taking measures to prevent or treat allergies can help reduce the possibility of asthma attacks and improve respiratory health. Consult our internal medicine doctor in Bhubaneswar to map out your ideal treatment.
Conclusion
Even though treatment can help reduce allergy or asthma symptoms, avoiding triggers and making necessary lifestyle modifications can help lead a healthier and more comfortable life. Maintaining a clean and allergy-free environment at home by using air purifiers or keeping pets away from specific areas can have significant differences in managing allergies and asthma. If you have any of the above conditions and are seeking treatment or guidance, you can contact our internal medicine hospital in Bhubaneswar, Odisha. Check our blog page for the latest medical updates.
FAQ's
Individuals with a family history of allergies have a higher risk of developing allergic asthma. Even if the patient has allergic rhinitis or other allergies, they can become susceptible to allergic asthma.
Asthma is primarily caused by allergies. However, it is possible to develop asthma with non-allergic triggers such as infections, cold air, exercise, stress, or gastroesophageal reflux disease.
Allergy testing helps analyse your body’s response to IgE. Allergies can be detected with skin or blood tests (RAST). However, skin tests are preferred for detecting allergies as they identify more allergens.
Not all patients with allergies need allergy shots, as some may get better by avoiding triggers or taking medication. However, if the symptoms cannot be controlled with medications or if the patient does not want to take the medications, then allergic shots can be given for long-term control of allergy or asthma.
Yes, allergies are a serious health issue as they can interfere with day-to-day activities and impact quality of life. Environmental allergies do not pose serious risks. However, allergic reactions to food, insect venom, or medications can be serious and cause life-threatening reactions.
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