| The link between Asthma and Allergies I believe is a | | | | suffer from allergiesand allergens may be that VERY |
| very important. | | | | important trigger factor that can maketheir Asthma |
| | | | | worse. |
| Understanding medicine is a complex business that | | | | |
| requires years ofstudy, often to prove beyond a | | | | Let us look at a couple of examples – I know |
| shadow of doubt things that sufferers ofillnesses have | | | | causes attacks. |
| long accepted as fact. | | | | |
| | | | | When a person - |
| I know from hard evidence that allergies play a big role | | | | |
| in asthma. My | | | | * vacuums or dusts as this causes house |
| Daughter is allergic to cats – getting near a cat | | | | dust mite allergens tobecome airborne |
| causes asthma attacksso bad, she can be | | | | |
| hospitalised. Plus she is allergic to other thingsthat can | | | | * visit a house where a cat lives (as in the |
| trigger attacks. So let's explore further … | | | | case with my |
| | | | | Daughter) |
| Over recent years Asthma and allergic diseases have | | | | |
| increaseddramatically. In fact Australia has the second | | | | * Is outdoors when there are high levels of |
| highest prevalence ofasthma in the world; 1 in 4 | | | | pollen in the air. |
| children, 1 in 7 teenagers and 1 in 10adults. The reasons | | | | |
| for this are unclear. However, we do know | | | | * visits cities with high pollution levels |
| thataccording to 2005 stats: | | | | |
| | | | | Then unfortunately, there can be what I would call – |
| Around 4 in 10 Australians had allergic disease and | | | | Occupational Asthma |
| more than 8 in 10 | | | | Triggers – |
| Australians with asthma had positive allergy test | | | | |
| results. | | | | * Health care workers allergic to things like |
| | | | | hand sanitizers,gloves etc |
| Now that is only in Australia – what would the stats | | | | |
| be worldwide?? | | | | * Bakers allergic to flour dust. |
| | | | | |
| So, what exactly is an allergy? | | | | * Builders allergic to concrete |
| | | | | |
| An Allergy occurs when a person's immune system | | | | * Waitresses allergic to coffee beans |
| reacts to substances inthe environment that do not | | | | |
| bother most people. | | | | The list can go on. |
| | | | | |
| These substances are known as allergens and are | | | | Some Asthma triggers you cannot control, however, |
| found in house dustmites, pets, pollen, moulds, and | | | | exposure to someallergic triggers can be reduced or |
| foods. | | | | just plain avoided, after allimproved control of your |
| | | | | asthma must be paramount. |
| These people who are allergic to such things are said | | | | |
| to be atopic andmay have a genetic tendency to | | | | If you or a family member suffers from Asthma, you |
| develop allergic diseases. When atopic | | | | should have a goodmanagement plan and be working |
| People are exposed to allergens they can develop an | | | | with your Specialist Physician tominimise attacks – |
| immune reaction thatleads to allergic inflammation | | | | many of these Physicians may even ask that |
| (redness and swelling). | | | | thesufferer undergo some allergy tests so a clearer |
| | | | | picture of asthmatriggers can be known. |
| This can then cause symptoms in the: | | | | |
| | | | | For today that is all I have for you on Links between |
| * Nose and/or eyes – allergic rhinitis | | | | Asthma and |
| conjunctivitis (hay fever) | | | | Allergies |
| | | | | |
| * Skin – eczema, hives | | | | I wish you and your family the best of health! |
| | | | | |
| * Lungs – Asthma | | | | Disclaimer |
| | | | | |
| So what Role does Allergies play in Asthma? | | | | It is important to note that information contained in this |
| | | | | post is not |
| Most people with asthma are atopic meaning they | | | | Intended to replace professional medical advice. |