Treatment Options for Chronic Allergies
Chronic allergies may be caused by a number of factors like animal, dust, pollen, and food. Sometimes, allergies can be associated with asthma, which is a major respiratory problem. Thus, to treat asthma, allergies must be treated immediately.
Proper diagnosis by a physician is used to determine the cause and effect of allergies. one is related to the other, so treatments often aim to treat allergies in order to reduce asthma symptoms. Allergen can be to different things, from dust to pollen and from animal dander to certain foods. Chronic allergies are considered a severe condition, which causes the body to the attack of the foreign intruders via the immune system, or creating an allergic response.
Allergies occur in many types with environmental allergies being the most common (i.e., dust smoke, or pollen). These are mainly treated with over the counter medications, or antihistamines. However, other allergies, such as pet dander, can be managed by mainly avoiding contact with animals and using proper medication.
Asthma, on the other hand, is a condition of the respiratory system where the bronchial tubes along with bronchi are so affected they respond in an attack, or spasm that restricts the airways limiting oxygen flow to the lungs. Hence, the person may experience wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath, and difficulty breathing.
Treatment options for asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease, thus treatments aim to reduce symptoms as well as the frequency of asthma attacks using the the following methods:
1. Quit smoking
If you’re a smoker, then you must quit it as it can damage the lungs further, leading to more serious conditions (COPD).
2. Asthma medications
Medications used to treat asthma are often oral corticosteroids, bronchodilators, and anti-inflammatory medicines to reduce the symptoms of asthma. Oxygen therapy is also effective in the case of an emergency.
3. Avoidance of physical exertion
Exercise-induced asthma generally happens with strenuous activity or exercise. Your doctor may prescribe medicines such as Albuterol and Ipratropium, and ask you to limit your physical exertion in place of lighter forms of exercise (i.e., walking, swimming, yoga).