Allergies and asthma can, and often do occur together and may be caused by the body's immune response to an invading foreign body like dust, pollen, or animal dander. The symptoms of these two conditions are similar and can sometimes appear almost identical. Coughing, wheezing, a tight feeling in the chest or lungs, and shortness of breath.
Both allergies and asthma can cause an inflammation, constriction, or narrowing of the air passages that carry necessary oxygen to the lungs with every breath. Sometimes an allergic reaction may be the cause or trigger for the onset of asthma which further complicates a person's healthy breathing function. Allergies and asthma often occur together but they are very different from one another.
Symptoms of Allergies Defined
Allergies are not classified as a disease, but are indeed a normal reaction by the body's immune system as a first line of defense against any foreign substance that tries to enter the body. Common invaders are mold spores, pollen, dust particles, air pollution, smoke, pet dander, and any number of things that the body perceives as attempting to enter.
Certain proteins exist in every one of these outside foreign particles. When those proteins come in contact with certain parts of the human body, it starts a chemical reaction. This chemical reaction is sensed by proteins existing in antibodies flowing through the bloodstream. These antibodies do what they were designed to do and form a line of defense against the invasion. Simply put, a particle of dust lands on a mucous membrane inside the nose, the body immediately reacts by causing a sensation to sneeze and expel the offending particle.
Symptoms of Asthma Defined
Asthma is a different condition entirely; it is a disease. Asthma can manifest the same types of symptoms as an allergic response. Asthma can be triggered by an allergy, but is not the same as an allergy. According to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology, half of the 22 million Americans with asthma have allergic asthma, or allergy–induced asthma.
Asthma is a serious disease that can result in many visits to the emergency room and have a definite negative effect on work and quality of life. With asthma, allergens or environmental conditions cause the muscle bands around the airways to tighten and narrow, allowing less air for breathing. This can cause wheezing, a feeling of tightness in the chest, or shortness of breath. Because folks with asthma have extremely sensitive airway tissue, these same allergens or environmental conditions may also cause inflammation and irritability, making breathing extremely difficult.
Taking Control of Allergy and Asthma Symptoms
Any person may develop asthma at any time in their life. Adult-onset asthma occurs quite often, especially in people who already have a family history of asthma. It's extremely important to make a serious assessment of one's situation, family history, risk factors, and possible triggers for asthma. Taking control is a large part of the successful management of this serious disease.
As always, if symptoms occur and it looks like asthma is a possibility, make an appointment and get in to see the doctor, preferably an asthma specialist. If adult-onset asthma is diagnosed, the doctor will most likely prescribe one of the many types of asthma medications available today. The doctor may also prescribe an inhaler to use in the case of serious breathing difficulties.
Not every person who has asthma will manifest the same symptoms because everyone is different. Some folks may have all the typical symptoms of asthma, some folks may only have one or two symptoms, and still others may have different symptoms at different times. Asthma symptoms may even differ for each attack having mild symptoms for one attack and more severe symptoms for another. It's always best to seek medical help if asthma or allergy–induced asthma is suspected.
This article is for informational purposes only. The information provided herein is of a general nature and should not be substituted as advice from a qualified medical professional.
Sources:
• WebMD.com; "Asthma and Allergies" (accessed April 18, 2010)
• American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology; "AAAAI eNews" (accessed April 18, 2010)
Mark Oehlert - Mark has 50 years life experience (wisdom comes with age, right?) and over 28 years experience writing copy for ads, articles, marketing ...
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