Do You Really Have Asthma?

Or are You Fighting an Undiagnosed Allergy?

Feb 18, 2009 Wendy J Meyeroff

More than 20 million Americans suffer from asthma. It's now estimated that at least half of that number represents people specifically fighting allergic asthma.

Allergic asthma is specifically caused by inhaling some kind of allergen, an allergen being an allergy trigger. Some allergens are fought all year long, like pet dander and dust mites, while others can become more prevalent at specific times of year, including spring. Pollen is one example of the latter.

Understanding Allergic Asthma

Many of allergic asthma’s symptoms are the same as what most people picture when they think of asthma: coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness. That’s why it is so often misdiagnosed.

The key to allergic asthma now seems to be something called the IgE antibody. It’s an antibody that your system produces upon exposure to allergens. Everyone produces IgE antibodies; it’s just that those with allergic asthma produce too much. That sets off a complex chemical reaction in which antibody fighters, called mediators, are released and these mediators cause inflammation of the airways. That’s when all the symptoms of allergic asthma come forth.

Finding Your Asthma-Causing Allergens

Sometimes it’s relatively easy to determine if you’re allergic to a particular substance. Lots of people learn very quickly if they’re allergic to chocolate (a common allergen). Then it’s fairly simple to avoid it.

Unfortunately even if you can determine your allergen(s) (and it’s not always easy, which is why you might need a specialist’s help) you can’t always avoid the trigger. Dust, for example, is impossible to avoid. Even people who are allergic to dust often unconsciously strew their homes with dust-catchers, such as stuffed animals and dried or silk flower arrangements.

Other allergens may be hidden. Peanuts are a very common allergen yet it wasn’t until recently that most consumers became aware of the many ways in which they were being exposed to that trigger. Usually it’s in peanut oil found hiding in a variety of foods, including popcorn, tacos, and cereal.

And About That Pet….

Probably one of the most sensitive issues for people with allergic asthma is that of keeping a pet, at least any pet with fur or feathers; e.g., dogs, cats, birds, rabbits, hamsters and guinea pigs. It’s simply not a good idea. The key trigger here is NOT pet hair (as many people believe). Rather it’s a protein found in dander (dead skin flakes), saliva, and urine. Interestingly vacuuming won’t help; it just brings this protein to the surface of rugs, upholstery, etc.

Some people try keeping the animal outdoors, but it’s not always feasible. Besides, it generally won’t solve the problem. If you or loved ones play with the animal outdoors you can easily bring the dander inside.

So the best solution is to not have a pet, or at least restrict pets to turtles, fish, and other creatures without fur or feathers. Otherwise restrict the animal’s movement inside the house as much as possible. For example, your pet should be absolutely forbidden from the bedrooms.

Find an Allergist

It might be a good idea to seek out an experienced allergy specialist, an allergist/immunologist. This expert can help you determine your triggers and then implement steps to help reduce asthma-inducing allergens. A good source for an allergy specialist is the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma, and Immunology (AAAAI), whose website is www.aaaai.org.

The copyright of the article Do You Really Have Asthma? in Allergies is owned by Wendy J Meyeroff. Permission to republish Do You Really Have Asthma? in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.