Asthma Q & A

What causes asthma?

Asthma is a chronic condition that leads to severe inflammation and narrowing of your airways. They swell and produce extra mucus, which can make breathing extremely difficult. It can either be an occasional nuisance, or it can be a serious ailment that affects your daily life. You may develop it due to:

  • Family history of asthma
  • Being overweight
  • Smoking cigarettes
  • Exposure to secondhand smoke or pollution

While all of these factors can contribute to the development of it, the leading cause is usually allergies. Most reactive airway disease sufferers have an underlying allergy they don’t know about that’s causing they’re symptoms. This condition is known as allergic-reactive airway disease, and it can stem from the following common allergens:

  • Cockroaches
  • Dust mites
  • Mold
  • Pet dander
  • Pollen

While these are some of the most well-known triggers for allergic-reactive airway disease, any allergen can potentially cause it attacks. This is why getting tested for allergies, understanding symptoms, and starting treatment are so important for optimal lung function.

Will I know if I have reactive airway disease?

Oftentimes, yes. While asthma symptoms can be different from person to person, there are some common symptoms, including:

  • Shortness of breath
  • Wheezing
  • Chest tightness
  • Coughing

With allergic reactive airway disease, you might have other symptoms, too. In this case, it can be common to experience sneezing, itchy nose or eyes, a runny nose, or itchy skin when asthma attacks strike.

How is asthma treated?

The team of reactive airway disease and allergy specialists at Allergy Testing Center will work to get to the root of your condition, thoroughly testing you to determine which, if any, allergens are triggering your allergic-asthma attacks. After going through blood or skin allergy testing, your allergic-asthma treatment could include one or more of the following therapies:

  • Precision medicine therapy
  • Immunotherapy or antihistamines
  • Long-lasting maintenance inhalers
  • Rescue inhalers like albuterol

The team will also spend time counseling you on how to avoid reactive airway disease triggers, especially if there are multiple allergens that are causing your symptoms.

To get control of your asthma, call Allergy Testing Center at one of their convenient locations or schedule an appointment online.