Managing your allergies can help you control asthma

The coughing and wheezing experienced by people who have asthma are often triggered by the same things that give others a simple case of hay fever. That’s because about half of asthma cases are closely related to allergies — the same ones that give us itchy eyes and runny noses in the spring and fall. Asthma is often classified in two categories, Intrinsic asthma, also called adult-onset asthma, is triggered by an infection, changes in air quality, or air pollution, while extrinsic, or allergic, asthma is caused by allergens in the environment such as dust, mold, and pollen. more than half of Asthmatics are allergic.

The similarities between asthma and allergies

What’s the difference, then, between an allergic reaction and an asthma attack? Not much, beyond the location of the reaction. It’s essentially a similar response.The way you develop allergies is that you produce what’s called IgE [immunoglobulin E] antibodies to the allergen — say, tree pollen. The IgE lands on a mast cell, and when it’s exposed to the allergen again, the allergen binds to the IgE and causes the mast cell to open up and release chemicals — like histamines — that cause an allergic response. If this occurs in the nose, you’ll experience sneezing and congestion. If it happens in the lungs, you’ll have an asthmatic response: coughing, wheezing, and shortness of breath caused by the inflammation and constriction of the bronchial tubes.

The causes

Why is it that some people experience this allergic response in the nose, and others in the lungs? A clear answer has not been determined. There are nine allergy genes and probably even more genes that relate to asthma, so the thinking is that if you have the nasal gene for allergies, you’re going to get allergies in the nose. If you have more than that, you may experience the bronchial effects. It’s a DNA-related predisposition.

Controlling allergic asthma

Researchers believe that people who experience allergic asthma do so as a result of both a genetic predisposition and exposure to environmental triggers. Consequently, if you can control the allergens in your home, you can also keep your asthma in check. If someone is allergic to dust mites, we tell them to get mattress and pillow covers. If they have a pet, we encourage them — if they can tolerate it emotionally — to give it to someone else, if you take away those triggers, you may reduce asthma to the point that medication isn’t even needed.

Seasonal allergies are of special concern —  the incidence of asthma increases between October and December, most likely because of the change in weather. Windows get shut and patients become exposed to higher concentrations of allergens like dust, roaches, and pets. You can’t change the weather, but you can take prophylactic measures, like getting rid of rugs and stuffed animals.

Managing allergies

Research has also found that people with ongoing allergies — like hay fever — can actually develop asthma. “Some people say, ‘I have this nasal drip. but I don’t want to take any treatment for it. But the argument is that if you treat it, you might be able to avoid asthma.

Dr.Mohit Garg,
Specialist Pulmonologist,
Thumbay Hospital Daycare, Rolla

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