Asthma
Allergy plays a major role in triggering and aggravating asthma. Around 80% of people with asthma also have allergy. Asthma causes a narrowing of the airways, which obstructs airflow to and from the lungs, making breathing difficult. Asthma can be highly distressing and debilitating. Severe asthma attacks can be fatal.
The symptoms of asthma can be controlled with effective treatment and management. Controlling allergies is a critical part of this. If you have asthma and an allergy, the more you avoid and reduce your allergen exposure, the more your asthma will improve. Untreated allergies can make your asthma symptoms more severe and difficult to manage. Determining if allergy could be aggravating your asthma requires careful medical diagnosis.
Australia has among the highest prevalence of asthma in the developed world. More than 20% of Australian adolescents have asthma-like symptoms—compared with less than 5% in Eastern Europe and some Asian and African countries. Around 10% of Australian adults suffer from asthma. Allergy and asthma account for an estimated 20% of Australia’s health expenditure.
Causes
Allergens and other factors that can trigger or aggravate asthma include:
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dust mites, cockroaches and other insects
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pollens from grasses, trees and weeds
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mould spores
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smoke
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solvents and fumes
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cold air and changes in temperature
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exercise
Symptoms
The common symptoms of asthma include:
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wheezy breathing
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shortness of breath
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difficulty breathing, particularly exhaling
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dry cough
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tightness or heaviness in chest
Treatment
Asthma and allergy symptoms can be managed and treated in a number of ways:
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managing/avoiding allergic triggers
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antihistamines
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corticosteroids
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saline nasal sprays
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asthma action plan
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asthma relievers, preventers and symptom controllers
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asthma inhalers and nebulisers
The first step to allergy prevention is correctly identifying the cause
