Asthma is a chronic disease that affects the bronchial tubes making it hard to breathe. 90% of asthma cases are linked to allergies – this type of asthma is known as allergic asthma or extrinsic asthma. When the body reacts to an allergen it produces certain chemicals such as histamines that can cause inflammation and irritation in the airways. Asthma, because of its hypersensitivity to allergens, is considered a form of severe allergy.

The most common symptoms of asthma are:

- Difficulty breathing
– Coughing, especially during sleep
– Wheezing
– Decrease in the peak expiratory flow rate
– Difficulty accomplishing physical activities

All these reactions are triggered by substances that induce the allergic reaction, also known as allergens or irritants. The most widespread allergens are:

- Air pollution
– Cigarette smoke
– Mold spores
– Perfumes or perfumed substances
– Dust mites
– Additives or preservatives
– Hair spray or spray deodorant
– Pollen
– Certain foods and/ or medication

Other triggers for allergy and asthma include:

- Stress
– Temperature changes

Research in medication for treating asthma has had remarkable results over the past years, and it has become perfectly possible for an asthmatic to keep his symptoms under control.

Because when it comes to extrinsic asthma the same substances that trigger the allergy also set off the asthma symptoms, the medical treatment involves medicines that work for both these factors and can be taken differently. Corticosteroid can be found as a spray, a cream or can be taken using the inhaler and has proven very effective treating both the allergy and the asthma.

In addition to this, "Montelukast", also known as "Leukotriene" modifier helps regulate the immune system chemicals, the histamines I mentioned before.

Other medicines can be more effective for one condition over the other, such as antihistamines which are used to treat hay fever but do not work as well in treating asthma.

If you think you might have asthma or you noticed a worsening in allergy symptoms, you should consult a doctor and get a proper diagnosis and treatment. Left untreated asthma symptoms (allergic or non-allergic) increase in frequency and severity causing permanent lung damage and in some cases death.

Author: Jake Doran

Learn how to overcome allergies and asthma with Warm Air Humidifier starting to day. You can read more about this at WarmAirHumidifier.net.

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