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Asthma and Allergies Often Go Hand in Hand

If you’re an asthma patient, you know the simple act of “breathing easy” can be a major challenge. This chronic lung disease inflames and narrows your airways. So when you encounter certain triggers, such as allergens, smoke, or exercise, you likely experience such symptoms as wheezing, coughing, and shortness of breath.

There are many effective medications to help you control your asthma symptoms. But unfortunately, if you have the allergic form of asthma (and are susceptible to such allergic triggers as dust mites, animal dander, or pollen), you also have an underlying problem that needs to be identified and treated, or it could cause damage to your delicate airways—even if your symptoms are “under control.” You must identify your allergies in order to effectively manage your asthma symptoms.

According to published medical literature, 60% of adult asthmatics and 90% of children with asthma have allergic triggers.1-3

Allergies are like building blocks on other asthma triggers

There are many variables that can trigger an allergic asthmatic attack. Allergic exposure. Infection. Airborne irritants. They all add up. This is called an asthma symptom threshold. Once you or your child exceeds that threshold, there is no telling how severe the reaction will be. But research shows that reducing your exposure to your specific allergy triggers can help improve your underlying problem and reduce asthma inflammation, symptoms, and need for medication. That is why it is so important to get tested to learn if you have allergic asthma and to determine your specific allergy triggers. In fact, experts worldwide, including those from the National Institutes of Health, World Health Organization, and the Global Initiative for Asthma, urge that all asthma patients be evaluated for allergies. So talk to your doctor about allergy testing. One common blood test can help identify the full range of allergens known to trigger asthma symptoms.

Learn more about allergy testing and ImmunoCAP.

You can lead a normal life—even with asthma

Don’t count your child out of playing football just yet. And if you have asthma, keep those running shoes around. With careful use of asthma medications and targeted exposure reduction to allergic triggers, you can gain control of asthma. Simply consult with your health care team and make a plan for how to manage your symptoms.

Learn more about the symptom threshold and ways to reduce exposure to allergens.

See these important tools to help you manage your asthma.

References

  1. Allen-Ramey F, Schoenwetter WF, Weiss TW, Westerman D, Majid N, Markson LE. Sensitization to common allergens in adults with asthma. J Am Board Fam Pract. 2005;18:434-439.
  2. Milgrom H. Understanding allergic asthma [news release]. Milwaukee, WI: American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology; June 18, 2003.
  3. Høst A, Halken S. The role of allergy in childhood asthma. Allergy. 2000;55:600-608.