Pollen Can Trigger Asthma
Pollen can directly trigger asthma and allergic rhinitis. Small particles of allergens can penetrate deep into the airways of the lung. Thunderstorms can also contribute to this:
- When pollen granules come into contact with water, starch granules are released that are small enough to be breathed into the airways, causing allergic rhinitis and asthma in some people
- People who wheeze during spring and/or summer, should see their doctor for advice.
Pollen seasons can last for months
In Australia pollen numbers are lower on the east coast where most winds come from the sea, and where there is protection from westerly winds by the Great Dividing Range. Pollen numbers are higher on the Victorian south coast because most winds are from the north carrying pollen from the northerly grasslands. In South Australia and Western Australia, the amount of pollen can vary according to the wind.
Pollination times vary with the plant variety and its location.
The principal grasses growing in the northern coastal areas are subtropical and mainly flower in January, February and March. Allergenic grasses in the southern part of Australia are mostly Northern hemisphere grasses, with the main flowering period from October to December.
Diagnosis is important
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Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Could anything else, such as a cold or the flu, be causing my symptoms?
- How do I figure out what Im allergic to?
- Is my allergy seasonal?
- I am allergic to _____. Am I at risk for any other allergies?
- What changes can I make at home to relieve my symptoms?
- Will any over-the counter medicines relieve my symptoms?
- What should I do if my symptoms get worse or dont respond to the treatment youve prescribed?
- Do I need to see an allergy specialist ?
Im Pregnant Can I Take Allergic Rhinitis Medicines
If your allergic rhinitis is troublesome, or if effective treatment for your allergic rhinitis helps control your asthma symptoms, your doctor might recommend that you take medicine while you are pregnant.
If you discover that you are pregnant while using medicines for allergic rhinitis, tell your doctor straight away.
Some corticosteroid nasal sprays have a good safety rating during pregnancy. Most allergic rhinitis medicines have no particular safety concerns for pregnant or breastfeeding women. Talk to your pharmacist or doctor before taking any medicines when you are pregnant.
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What Causes Allergic Rhinitis
When your body comes into contact with an allergen, it releases histamine, which is a natural chemical that defends your body from the allergen. This chemical can cause allergic rhinitis and its symptoms, including a runny nose, sneezing, and itchy eyes.
In addition to tree pollen, other common allergens include:
- grass pollen
When To See A Doctor
If youre experiencing persistent nasal congestion that wont go away after using over-the-counter decongestants or antihistamines, see your doctor.
You should also call a doctor if you have a fever or severe pain in your face or sinuses. This could mean you have a sinus infection or another serious condition that requires treatment.
At your appointment, be prepared to tell your doctor how long youve had these symptoms and what treatments youve already tried.
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Nasal Polyps And Chronic Allergies
Perennial allergic rhinitis is a chronic allergic reaction most often caused by dust mites, though it can also be a response to dog or cat fur or other allergens. Its the most common cause of CRSwNP, though the exact nature of this connection is still unknown.
What is clear, however, is that a majority of those who develop nasal polypsan estimated 51 to 86%have this chronic allergic condition. Further linking the two is the fact that the severity of CRSwNP symptoms tends to increase during periods of time when there are more allergens in the air.
Many of the symptoms of CRSwNP overlap with those of perennial rhinitis, which include:
- Nasal discharge with clear or colored mucus
- Loss of sense of smell or taste
- Headache
- Facial pain due to sinus pressure
Alongside the formation of nasal polyps, its important to note that asthma often accompanies perennial allergic rhinitis, contributing to the breathing difficulties its associated with. No doubt this points to a common underlying inflammatory response.
The Immune System And The Relationship Between Rhinitis And Asthma
Eosinophils are a special type of white blood cells. They have a special role in mediating whole-body allergic reactions. In fact, researchers knew their role in both rhinitis and asthma.
We assume theyre similar mechanisms so it makes sense to assume that allergic reactions share the common pathway of these cells and that their increase in situations against external agents is key.
Furthermore, the substances of inflammation arent static, but rather take advantage of the blood circulation to move. Thus, they can pass from the nose to the bronchi.
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What Allergies Cause Asthma
Inhaled allergens. The most important allergens for people with allergic asthma appear to be those asthma triggers that are inhaled. Hay fever or seasonal allergic rhinitis occurs when a person comes in contact with an allergen or a substance that they are sensitive to. Common inhaled allergens include:
- Animal dander
- Mold
- Pollen
Medical experts recommend that all people with allergies and asthma try to identify possible inhaled allergens that may trigger asthma symptoms.
If you can avoid coming in contact with the substance you are allergic to , you may be able to prevent symptoms of an asthma attack.
Food allergies. Food allergies rarely cause asthma, yet they can cause a severe life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. The condition can lead to symptoms that include trouble breathing, wheezing, an itchy rash, low blood pressure, and vomiting. The most common foods linked with allergic symptoms are:
- Eggs
- Tree nuts
- Soy
- Fish
- Shrimp and other shellfish
Food preservatives can also trigger allergic and asthmatic reactions. Additives, such as sodium bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, sodium metabisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, and sodium sulfite, are often used in food processing or preparation and may be found in foods such as:
- Dried fruits or vegetables
- Potatoes
- Wine and beer
- Bottled lime or lemon juice
- Shrimp
- Pickled foods
Treatment For Allergic Rhinitis
Specific treatment for allergic rhinitis will be determined by your health care provider based on:
- Your age, overall health, and medical history
- Extent of the reaction
Treatment options may include:
Avoidance of the allergensBased on your history, physical exam and allergy testing results, precautions can be made to avoid the allergens that are causing your symptoms. This is the best treatment.
Medications
Allergen immunotherapyAllergen immunotherapy contains the specific allergens that are causing your symptoms and are given in the form of injection or by mouth . They have been shown to be effective in decreasing your symptoms and decreasing medication use. This is the only option that can change your immune system to make you less allergic.
Immunotherapy can be a good option if:
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Nasal Polyps And Asthma
Theres no doubt that asthma and nasal polyps are also closely related. Though other respiratory conditions can cause it, its most often itself an allergic reaction to pet dander, ragweed, and dust mites.
Among people with asthma, researchers estimate that anywhere from 26 to 56% have CRSwNP. When the two are combined, symptoms become significantly worse. Patients experience:
- Coughing
- Difficulty sleeping
What is concerning about asthma is that, if untreated, severe casesand certainly those associated with CRSwNPcan be fatal.
How Do Doctors Diagnose Allergic Rhinitis
When someone could have allergic rhinitis, doctors consider symptoms, find out about the persons everyday surroundings and activities, do a physical examination, check asthma control and check for allergies.
Tell your doctor:
- When your symptoms started and whether they have become better or worse over time
- Whether you usually have symptoms at particular times of the year
- If anything or any places seem to make symptoms better or worse
- If you have any known allergic conditions and whether family members have allergies
- If you have tried any medicines, such as overthe-counter nasal sprays or tablets, and whether they made a difference.
Your doctor may:
- Measure how well your lungs are working, using a spirometer, or arrange for you to have this test. If you normally test your own lungs using a peak flow meter each day, bring your results.
- Offer allergy tests either skin-prick tests or blood tests or arrange for you to have these tests done by a specialist. Other methods that claim to test for allergy are not useful tests and should not be used.
- Suggest that you try using a nasal spray for a few weeks and come back.
- Refer you to an allergy specialist or an ear, nose and throat surgeon.
You may need to see a specialist if you have any symptoms that are not typical of allergic rhinitis, such as long-term sinus problems, polyps in the nose, pain, loss of hearing or sense of smell, persistent cough, or if only one nostril is always blocked or bleeding.
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Can Allergic Rhinitis Affect The Brain
Hay fever may do more than give you a stuffy nose and itchy eyes, seasonal allergies may change the brain, says a new study. Hay fever may do more than give you a stuffy nose and itchy eyes, seasonal allergies may change the brain, says a study published in the open-access journal Frontiers in Cellular Neuroscience.
Nasal Polyps And Type 2 Inflammation
Nasal polyps are typically a feature of a broader physiological response called type 2 inflammation, which can accompany both asthma and perennial allergic rhinitis.
This is essentially a biological chain reaction thats set off when specialized immune cellsmost notably eosinophils and mast cells, among othersflood the bloodstream. In turn, these cells stimulate the release of cytokines, a specialized protein involved in stimulating immune response.
Its this signaling pathway that leads to the symptoms associated with CRSwNP and the development of nasal polyps. In cases of asthma, type 2 inflammation occurs primarily in the lungs , whereas this is primarily seen in the nasal passages and sinuses .
Notably, this inflammatory response has been found to affect the inner lining of the sinus and nasal passages, the epithelial layer, which is why sinus infection is prevalent among those with nasal polyps.
The nasal corticosteroid sprays used to manage CRSwNPand by extension asthma and perennial allergic rhinitiswork to directly suppress this inflammatory response.
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Rhinitis And Asthma: Similar But Different
Finally, we can explain the relationship between rhinitis and asthma through various hypotheses but it doesnt mean theyre the same condition.The drugs used for treatment are similar, although the approach isnt the same.
Its essential for physicians to be able to distinguish one condition from the other so they can prescribe the correct form of therapy. In any case, asthmatic patients must learn to manage rhinitis crises as they have a high probability of being afflicted by it.
Living With Allergic Rhinitis
Living with the symptoms of allergic rhinitis can affect your daily life. Nasal symptoms can be worse when lying down. This can disturb your ability to sleep well. Fatigue and headaches can affect your ability to function at school and work. There are many medicines and treatments that can help you manage your symptoms. Talk to your doctor as soon as you feel that your symptoms are getting worse or are not easy to control. He or she can help you come up with the right plan to control them so they dont affect your ability to live your normal life.
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Why Does Allergic Asthma Occur In Adults
Allergic asthma in adults is a common disease in Turkey as well as in the world. Allergy is an excessively exaggerated and harmful immune response that occurs as a result of an existing genetic predisposition and environmental factors. The disease we call allergic asthma occurs due to the response of our airways inside our lungs to allergens. The most common basic symptoms of allergic asthma are frequent coughing, wheezing and shortness of breath. Asthma has many causes other than allergens. Air pollution and chemicals in the environment also cause asthma. Measures can also be taken according to the answer to the question of how asthma occurred. Therefore, this article will provide important information that can be helpful to all asthmatic patients.
As with all allergic diseases, the most important cause of allergic asthma is genetics. Genetic and environmental factors together unfortunately lead to asthma. Having asthma, allergic rhinitis and eczema in the mother and/or father increases the risk of developing asthma.
Rhinitis And Sinusitis Connection: Rhinosinusitis
The most common causes of chronic nasal congestion are allergic and nonallergic rhinitis inflammation of the nose. Nonallergic rhinitis caused by environmental or occupational irritants. Allergic rhinitis happens when you breathe in something to which you are allergic.
Dust, dander, insect venom, or pollen is only a few of the many triggers for allergic rhinitis. Rhinitis and sinusitis can make your life miserable. Recent studies by ENT doctors have better defined the association between rhinitis and sinusitis. Sinusitis is often preceded by rhinitis and rarely occurs without concurrent rhinitis.
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What Is An Allergy
An allergy is the immune system‘s reaction when exposed to what is otherwise a harmless substance, such as plant pollen, mold, or animal hair, skin, or saliva. The immune system acts as a body defense, yet for people with allergies, the immune system treats these things, called allergens, as if they are harmful, causing a disruption to normal body functions. Allergens are what trigger a series of reactions by the immune system during an allergic reaction.
For Children With Allergies And Asthma In School
For asthma prevention at school when your child has allergies and childhood asthma:
- Discuss their allergies and asthma with school personnel.
- If your child has food allergies, discuss them with school officials, teachers, and lunchroom staff.
- Educate your child about their allergies and asthma early, so your child can learn to avoid situations where they may eat food that will trigger an allergic reaction. Arrange for an epinephrine kit to be left at the school, and make sure school officials are able to use it correctly and without hesitation should symptoms arise.
- Inform school personnel about the asthma treatments your child is taking, and make arrangements to leave necessary medication at school.
- Encourage sports participation, but inform coaches of medicines that may need to be taken before activities to prevent exercise-induced asthma.
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Asthma Subgroups: Rhinitis Induced Asthma
- Reactions 0 reactions
Many people with breathing disorders like asthma also suffer from medical conditions that may make it hard to breathe through their noses, which might even make their asthma worse. The most common nasal conditions among the asthma population is allergic rhinitis, which may lead to a diagnosis of Rhinitis Induced Asthma. Here’s all you need to know.
What Is Seasonal Rhinitis
Seasonal rhinitis is the specific term for allergic rhinitis caused by pollen from allergens. These include: trees weeds mold spores
With seasonal rhinitis, symptoms occur mainly during spring and fall, when outdoor allergens are more common. Seasonal rhinitis varies according to where you live and the specific plants that trigger your allergies.
Trees, grasses and weeds release pollen at various times of the year. Tree pollens bloom in early spring, grass pollens arrives in late spring and ragweed pollen arrives in late summer and early fall.
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Can Hayfever Make Asthma Worse
Hay fever is the common name for allergic rhinitis. It is an allergic reaction to allergens, or triggers in the air like pollens or grasses, dust mites, mould or animal dander, breathed in through the nose. This causes an immune response in the lining of the nose where the nasal passages become red, swollen, and sensitive. Some people may experience hay fever at certain times of the year, for example, spring or summer, and other people experience these symptoms all year round.
Reduce The Risk Of Hay Fever Triggering An Asthma Attack
Hay fever can make allergic asthma harder to control.
Conversely, effectively treating hay fever may reduce the chance of severe asthma attacks and make the lungs work better.
Current treatments for both hay fever and allergic asthma have a similar mode of action: limiting the bodys response to allergy triggers.
In the first instance, hay fever symptoms can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines. Ask your pharmacist about non-sedating varieties.
If antihistamines dont provide relief, the next treatment is corticosteroids. These are effective against all allergic conditions, including hay fever and asthma.
A distinct disadvantage is its cost: it can be up to three times the cost of injections.
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