Allergy And Asthma

Allergy And Asthma

Allergic asthma is the most common type of breathing difficulty experienced world wide .About 90% of asthma in kids and about 50% in adults is due to allergy. This is due to. Inhaling specific substances called allergens (allergy triggers such as pollen, mites, or molds) and is Called allergic asthma. There are other types of asthma also. Nearly everyone with asthma (allergic or non-allergic) gets worse after exercising in cold air or after inhaling any type of smoke, dust, fumes, and sometimes strong smells.

Because allergens are everywhere, it's important that people with allergic asthma understand their allergy  and learn  about preventing their exposure and asthma

SYMPTOMS

Difficulty for breath is the most common symptom of Asthma .It is like the weather and changes with weather. They change often and may seem unpredictable. But also like the weather, careful tracking of asthma symptoms can help  to identify patterns and what they may say about your asthma control. Research has shown that tracking and rating your asthma symptoms are key steps in successfully managing asthma. One study even found that it helps keep kids with childhood asthma out of emergency .

What Is an Allergy?

A major task of your immune system is to protect you from bacteria, viruses and foreign bodies coming into the body. However, in people with allergies, part of the immune system is too vigilant. It may treat harmless substances -- like cat dander or pollen -- as if they were enemy and invaders and attack them (in your nose, lungs, eyes, and under your skin).

When your body encounters an allergen, it stimulates special cells called IgE antibodies. These defensive cells trigger the body's allergic reaction, to protect its further entry and to expel what is in . They cause the release of chemicals like histamine, which result in swelling and inflammation. This creates familiar allergy symptoms like a runny nose, itchy eyes, and sneezing because your body is trying to destroy the allergens.

What Is Allergic Asthma?

If you have allergic asthma, your airways are hypersensitive to the allergens to which you've become sensitized. Once these allergens get into your airways, your immune system overreacts. The muscles around your airways tighten (an effect called bronchospasm). The airways themselves become inflamed and flooded with thick mucus.

Whether you have allergic asthma or non allergic asthma, the symptoms of asthma are generally the same and may include any or all of the following:

·         Coughing

·         Wheezing

·         Shortness of breath

·         Rapid breathing

·         Tightening of the chest

CAUSATIVE FACTORS

Tobacco smoke

Smoke from a fireplace, candles, incense, or fireworks

Air pollution

Cold air, especially vigorous exercise in cold air

Strong chemical odors or fumes

Perfumes, air fresheners, or other scented products

Dusty workplaces

Windblown pollen from trees, grasses, and weeds

Mold spores and mold fragments

Animal dander (from hair, skin, or feathers) and saliva

Dust mite feces

Cockroach feces

TESTS USUALLY DONE

A blood test (RAST or allergen-specific IgE levels)

Routine blood test to rule out infection

Absolute eosinophil count

Pulminory function test

PRCAUTIONS TO BE TAKEN

When pollen counts are high, stay inside as much as possible. Keep the windows closed. Don't use an evaporative cooler . If it's hot, use an air conditioner with a clean air filter. Don't use an old air conditioner if it smells musty or moldy.

Avoid dust mites. Dust mites live in fabrics and carpets, but they are microscopic, so you can't see them. So wrap your pillows, mattress, and cushions using allergen proof covers. Wash your sheets and other bedding once a week in very hot water. Don`t use wall-to-wall carpeting , if possible. Get rid of areas where dust can accumulate, like heavy curtains, upholstered furniture, and piles of clothing. If your child has allergic asthma, avoid stuffed animals, or only buy washable toys without artificial coloures .

Check indoor humidity. If moisture is a problem in your home (relative humidity above 40%), use a dehumidifier or air conditioner. This will reduce the growth of molds, cockroaches, and house dust mites. Repair any plumbing or roof leaks (but don't do it yourself).

Check for pet allergies. If you have pets, get allergen skin testing (or RAST) to determine if you've become sensitized to them. If you are allergic to your cat or dog, your asthma control will be much better if you keep them outdoors or find another home for them. At the very least, ban all pets from the bedroom by installing an inexpensive mechanism on the bedroom door that closes it automatically. High levels of cat allergen persist for many months in a home or apartment after cats are no longer living there. There are no hypo-allergenic cats or dogs. Washing the pet every week will make very little difference in the amount of their allergen that you inhale. Dusts or sprays that claim to reduce pet allergens have not been shown to be effective.

Keep your kitchen and bathroom clean and dry to prevent mold and cockroaches. If you are allergic to cockroaches, and you see evidence of them in your kitchen, contact a pest control company for help. Just using insecticide spray is inadequate. You need to eliminate their access to all sources of food in your home, even small crumbs in the carpet and oil stains near the stove. Run the exhaust fan whenever you cook or take a shower to lower the humidity in the room.

Choose air filters wisely. Large HEPA room air filters effectively remove smoke and other small particles (such as pollens) from a room but only when the fan is on. They do not reduce humidity, and don't reduce exposures to house dust mites. Avoid electronic air purifiers, since they usually create ozone, which causes airway inflammation.

Be careful doing outside work. Gardening and raking can stir up pollens and mold. Wearing a HEPA filter mask while outside (especially if working in the yard) can reduce the amount of pollen and mold particles that get into your lungs.

Modern medications, Injections, and Allergic Asthma

Determining the allergens to which you've become allergic, and then taking steps to minimize your exposure to them is the first step of treatment, It is likely to improve your allergic asthma control. However, it's not likely to completely eliminate your  allergy. You still have to contend with the asthma flares inevitably caused by respiratory viruses and unintentional (often unavoidable) exposures to asthma trigger

Allopathic treatment include non-sedating antihistamines  saline rinses, decongestant nasal sprays , and when these fail, nasal steroid sprays, and stronger antihistamines are needed under the guidance of a docter.. If all of these treatments fail ,a consultation with an allergist to see if immunotherapy would help you ..

There are many good  medications, but most of them require a close supervision and education by a doctor as all these had side effects like drowsiness and long term complications.. These medications include inhaled steroids, long-acting , asthma inhalers, and pills like Salbutamol and  Deriphyllin..  Prednisone (steroid) may be given several days to treat severe asthma .It should used with caution as it has severe long term side effects.  . When all of these therapies for allergic asthma fail medication that reduces IgE levels, may help.

Ayurvedic  management.

Ayurveda does not see any disease, as the problem with a part or a system. It affects entire cells, mind and soul .So a Holistic treatment approach is needed considering all these .It can be a combination of medication, breathing exercises ,yoga ,meditation and life style modifications.

According to Ayurveda the symptoms of asthma are predominantly Kapha expressed by secretions phlegm, and Vatha causing spasm and tightening of smooth muscles. These two present  evry where in body has a common property –cold. So exposure to cold in the form of climate food drink or environment should be avoided.

Heavy food increases Kaha. Its use should be minimized, especially during night. Take food by 7-30 pm and use only hot water till morning. Cold food ,cold water, colored food and drinks, curd ,ice cream, fish, should be avoided.Breathing exercises should be done daily. Yoga pranayama should be studied from a well versed teacher and followed like a ritual.

Dr Ram Mohan.

Chief Physician and M D

VEDA GROUP, KERALA