Allergic Asthma - Causes, Effects, And Treatments

Allergic asthma is by far the most common health condition in the United States. Studies have shown that roughly, 20 million people suffer from asthma and half of these people suffer from allergic asthma. Of these sufferers, 30% are children. Though, it is such a prevalent and common condition, it certainly doesn't make it any easier to deal with.

 All allergic asthma sufferers live in apprehension of their next attack. If not monitored carefully, these outbreaks can occur at any time. They leave the sufferer breathless and gasping for air- some asthmatics will also have coughing attacks. As a result, asthmatics may often feel that they have no control over their lives since triggers are everywhere and can happen at any time.

There are two main types of asthma strains- allergic and non-allergic. Non allergic asthma is not stimulated by triggers and often the person will suffer from it on a year-round basis. Allergic asthma is stimulated by allergens. These allergens can be seasonal or they may be found in the surroundings. In some cases, extreme emotional states have been known to trigger asthma attacks.

 

This kind of asthma can affect anyone, regardless of race, age, or gender. It has been known to be most common in children and young adults. Studies have also shown that the condition may also be hereditary. People, who work in industrial places and are exposed to heavy chemicals, are likely to contract asthma, as are young children who are exposed to smoke. In fact, research has shown that 8 out of ten children who were exposed to smoke contracted allergic asthma.

While nothing can be done to cure allergic asthma, the good news is that a person can maintain a certain amount of control over the things that trigger an attack. This is a huge advantage for people suffering from allergic asthma, over those who suffer from the non-allergic form. By first identifying which allergies trigger these attacks, it can be relatively easy to avoid them in the future.

 

In order to find out just what triggers the attacks, the patient will have to undergo a number of allergy tests. These involve receiving injections that contain certain allergens and then waiting to see how the body reacts. If the patient develops swelling or redness, then they are allergic to the allergens in that particular injection.

 

Making lifestyle changes in order to avoid these asthmatic triggers can be difficult for many people. Many asthmatics find that pet dander is the cause for their attacks and this can be difficult, especially for those who have pets. The truth is that avoiding any contact with pets can make a world of difference to an asthmatic, so the difficult choice is also the healthiest one. Smokers or those who live around smokers should quit immediately, as smoking is a notorious asthma trigger. For those who have seasonal allergies set off by certain kinds of pollen or weeds, it's a good idea to restrict outdoor activities to a minimum during those seasons. While some of these changes can seem very inconvenient, it is worth remembering the hassles that an asthmatic has to go through when they suffer an attack. Living in an environment, free of these triggers can make a world of difference to an asthmatic and many of them find that they are able to lead lives that are more productive, without worrying about their next attack. While you cannot escape allergic asthma, it is certainly possible to live with it.