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What do you need to know about it?
Almost everyone knows someone who suffers from asthma. That’s because an estimated 20 million Americans suffer from this chronic and potentially life-threatening disease. Asthmatics commonly have asthma attacks where their airways become swollen and/or inflamed making breathing difficult. What many people do not realize is nearly half the people who suffer from asthma actually suffer from the most common form of asthma: Allergic Asthma.
What is allergic asthma?
It can be difficult to determine if your asthma is allergic because many of the symptoms of non-allergic asthma, like coughing wheezing shortness of breath and chest tightness are also associated with allergic asthma as well. The main difference between the two is that allergic asthma is often triggered by inhaling common allergens like pet dander, mold, pollens and dust mites. These common allergens cause your body to produce an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE for short).
What does IgE actually do?
When both IgE and allergens are present, chemicals called mediators are released and cause inflammation and swelling of the airways. Coughing, wheezing and other asthma symptoms often result from this inflammation. Why is this important? Research on allergic asthma has shown that IgE is the root cause of allergic asthma. If the IgE reaction could be prevented, allergic asthma could ultimately be more easily and effectively controlled. Medications that bind to IgE and prevent the inflammatory response are available and can greatly reduce the symptoms of asthma.
What is the next step?
Seeking treatment for your asthma is the first step in controlling it. An asthma specialist can identify your allergic triggers and develop a plan to help you avoid these allergens and provide medications to control IgE. Your asthma specialist will make sure you know what actions to take if you come into contact with them.
Is My Asthma Allergic?
Please take this quick quiz to help you discuss asthma with your doctor. These questions are
not intended to make a definitive diagnosis.
Please answer either Yes or No to each question.
- Do/did either of your parents have asthma?
- Do/did either of your parents suffer from allergies?
- Have you experienced any of the following symptoms: sudden or repeated coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, rapid breathing, and/or tightness in the chest?
- Does being near the following allergens trigger or worsen your asthma symptoms: dust, pollen from trees or flowers, animal fur or dander, molds, certain foods or other allergens?
- Do your asthma symptoms seem to be worse during the spring and/or fall?
- Do you suffer, at any time of the year, from any of the following allergy symptoms: sneezing, itchy/watery eyes, stuffy nose/congestion lasting more than 10 days, runny nose lasting more than 10 days?
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