Do you get short of breath in spring or fall when tree pollen or ragweed is at its worst? Perhaps you wake your partner at night because you’re coughing or wheezing. These symptoms may lead to a diagnosis of allergic asthma.
Our board-certified allergists with Advanced Allergy & Asthma treat many patients with allergic asthma. We help you regain your quality of life.
If you have allergic asthma, your immune system is triggered by allergens in your environment, such as pollen, dust mites, pet dander, or mold. Approximately 8%, or about 1 in 12 Americans, have asthma, and 60% of that number have allergic asthma, the most common type.
Asthma can also be triggered by workplace chemicals that irritate your immune system (occupational-induced asthma). It can even be triggered by vigorous exercise. If you’ve tried running and it’s just not for you because you get out of breath, you may have asymptomatic, or non-allergic asthma.
All types of asthma can trigger the following disturbing symptoms:
Your respiratory symptoms can range from mild to severe. A severe attack could even be deadly.
Allergic asthma also produces typical allergy symptoms, such as the following:
We can help you manage and control your allergic asthma. We test you to determine which allergens create an adverse reaction in your body. Your doctor develops an individualized treatment plan to treat your symptoms.
Once you identify the allergens that trigger your symptoms, you can take proactive steps to avoid them. For example, if the problem is dust mites, you’ll want to get mattress covers if you don’t already have them. Investing in flooring materials instead of carpeting is another step toward controlling dust mites in your home. Using HEPA furnace filters and air purifiers also helps control dust mites.
Modern medicine helps you manage your allergic asthma symptoms. Your doctor may prescribe a medication that attacks both asthma and allergies. Your doctor likely prescribes an inhaler containing a steroid to help prevent severe attacks. Your expert provider may also prescribe a quick-response “rescue” inhaler for times when you have trouble breathing. We also prescribe an Epi-Pen for an emergency when you experience anaphylaxis and can’t breathe.
If your asthma is severe and you are allergic, your doctor may recommend allergy shots, or immunotherapy. This method gradually trains your body to tolerate the allergen. We start by injecting a tiny amount of the allergen in the first weeks of treatment, gradually increasing the dosage over a few months until you reach a maintenance dose.
Call Advanced Allergy & Asthma or request an appointment through our online portal today for expert treatment of allergies and asthma.
