What is Asthma?
Asthma is a chronic respiratory conditions, typically characterized by inflammation of the airway, hyper-responsiveness, and obstruction, resulting in symptoms such as wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and chest tightness. It is often triggered by various environmental factors, including allergens.
The interaction between Asthma and Allergies:
Research indicates that allergies are significant triggers for asthma symptoms. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), ~80% of asthmatic patients have a history of allergic reactions (AAAAI, n.d.). The connection between asthma and allergies can be understood through several mechanisms:
Inflammatory Response: Allergens can provoke an inflammatory response in the airways. This inflammation narrows the air passages, making it difficult to breathe and exacerbating asthma symptoms.
Histamine Release: When exposed to allergens, the body releases histamines and other chemicals that contribute to inflammation and airway constriction. This process can trigger asthma attacks.
Sensitization: Children with allergic rhinitis (hay fever) are more likely to develop asthma later in life, suggesting that early allergic sensitization can predispose individuals to asthma (Bousquet et al., 2009).
Environmental Factors: Many common allergens, such as pollen and dust mites, are prevalent in environments where asthma symptoms often worsen. Thus, reducing exposure to these triggers can lead to improved asthma control.
Treating Allergies to Manage Asthma:
For patients who's Asthma is triggered by environmental allergies (~80% of asthmatic patients), effective management of allergies can significantly alleviate asthma symptoms and reduce frequency and severity of asthma (Meyer et al., 2018).
Biscuit Health's treatment desensitizes your immune systems from your allergens over time. This approach has been proven to reduce both allergic symptoms and asthma severity in Asthmatic patients (Meyer et al., 2018).
Conclusion:
The interplay between asthma and allergies is complex but well-documented. For many individuals, allergies are a significant trigger for asthma symptoms, and addressing these underlying allergies can lead to substantial improvements in asthma control. By focusing on allergen avoidance, medication management, and potentially immunotherapy, healthcare providers can offer patients a pathway to better respiratory health.
By recognizing the strong link between asthma and allergies, patients and healthcare providers can work together to develop effective management strategies that improve overall quality of life.
Sources:
Sources:
American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology (AAAAI). (n.d.). "Asthma and Allergies." Retrieved from AAAAI.
Bousquet, J., Khaltaev, N., Cruz, A. A., et al. (2009). "Allergic rhinitis and its impact on asthma (ARIA)." *Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology*, 123(1), S1-S30.
Khan, D. A., et al. (2018). "The role of antihistamines in the management of asthma." *Journal of Allergy and Clinical Immunology*, 141(6), 2030-2037.
Meyer, H. E., et al. (2018). "The impact of sublingual immunotherapy on asthma symptoms: A meta-analysis." *Clinical Reviews in Allergy & Immunology*, 54(1), 23-34.