You can Lead an Active Life with Asthma!

Our body is well prepared to defend itself against threats coming from the external environment: bacteria, viruses, fungi, etc. This is the job of the immune system. However, when coming into contact with substances to which the body is normally indifferent, the immune system of some people has an abnormal reaction and creates IgE-type antibodies. In such cases, excess histamine and other mediators in allergic reactions are secreted. This most frequently manifests itself in the form of rashes, watery secretions from the nose, coughing, sneezing, swelling, tearing, reddening and diarrhea.

What is an allergen?

An allergen may be almost any compound or substance that causes an allergic reaction in predisposed people. This could include plant pollen, common dust mites, animal fur, food and medicines.

Allergens can enter the body in various ways:

• through the nasal passage – plant pollen, common dust mites, animal fur
• through the alimentary canal – eggs, fish, fruit, milk, medicines
• through the skin – cosmetics, detergents, medicines
• through the parenteral route – insect bites, injections of medicines

One of the most frequent causes of allergies are common dust mites - tiny spiders that live in the human environment. Conditions favouring manifestations of mites occur in the winter, when homes are warm and moreover when humidifiers are used. Mites live in carpets, pillows and bedspreads, which should be cleaned often in order to limit the manifestation of allergies. Allergies to fur are very difficult to treat, particularly involving cat fur, which in the form of very small particles can settle into clothing and remain in it for as long as 6-12 months. A predisposed person can become allergic when coming into contact with someone whose clothing has an allergen on it. Spring is the period when many plants produce pollen that can cause allergic reactions. People are the most sensitive to pollen produced by hazel, birch and alder trees, grasses, sagebrush and others.

Of the four types of allergic reactions, two occur most frequently:

• immediate type – most frequently involves hay fever, hives and allergic asthma;
• delayed type – most frequently involves skin contact allergy.

The best and simplest way of treating allergies is the complete elimination of the allergens from the environment of the susceptible person or at least avoiding contact with those allergens. It is important to know which substances we are allergic to. This can be done with skin tests. The physician places drops of various allergenic extracts on the inside of the forearm, after which a needle is used to gently prick the skin where the allergens have been applied. Another method is the contact test, but it is characterized by low sensitivity. This test is performed by applying disks saturated with an allergen on the skin for 72 hours. The appearance of reddening on the skin means a positive test result, as it indicates the secretion of histamine.

Another frequently conducted test consists in determining the quantity of IgE antibodies in blood serum (blood test). This test is a general allergy indicator. In exceptional cases, tests involving specific IgE antibodies are performed (changes on the skin, the inability to stop taking antihistamine drugs or the necessity to conduct tests during the period of exposure to an allergen). The sensitivity of these tests is the same as in the case of the skin test. In the case of an inhalant allergy, one should consult their internal medicine specialist, who will perform or order skin tests.

In the case of suspecting a skin allergy, one can immediately, without a referral, consult a dermatologist (symptoms of a skin allergy are itching of the skin, hives and reddening of the skin).

An allergic reaction may be the cause of atopic asthma, which often has a seasonal character depending on the concentration of the allergens in the environment and occurs most frequently during the plant pollination period.

Asthma is an illness of the respiratory system consisting in several reactions occurring simultaneously: bronchial stricture through contraction of the smooth muscles, swelling of the mucous membrane as well as the appearance of a thick secretion. These reactions cause the stricture of the bronchial tube. Despite significant medical progress, this illness is attacking an increasingly greater number of people.

In Great Britain, approximately 3.4 million people suffer from asthma, i.e., one in seven children and one in twenty-five adults. In Poland, more than 3 million people have asthma, including one in every three children.

Several types of asthma can be differentiated, which are conditioned by various factors:

• Allergic asthma (atopic) – in approximately 50% of people suffering from this type of asthma, it is possible to identity inhalant allergens through an interview and allergy tests;
• Bronchial asthma – in almost 50% of people suffering from this type of asthma, it is not possible to identify any allergen;
• Aspirin asthma – occurs after taking aspirin (or other anti-inflammatory drugs and analgesics), however, it does not occur through an allergy-based mechanism, but as a result of a change in the processes occurring in the cells of the bronchial tube.

The most frequent symptoms of asthma include:

• Paroxysmal dyspnoea
• Dry cough
• Short, rapid breathing, accompanied by clearly audible wheezing (so-called chest murmurs)
• Symptoms of upper respiratory inflammation
• Rapid heart beat, restlessness
• Excessive sweating
• Coughing up a viscous secretion after an attack

What are the main goals in the treatment of asthma?

• Controlling attacks, lessening their frequency and intensity
• Preventing the aggravation of the illness.
• Maintaining the proper efficiency of the respiratory system.
• Ensuring total physical activity with complete exercise tolerance.
• Minimising unwanted side affects of drugs.
• Preventing irreversible stricture of the respiratory tracts.

Asthma left untreated can lead to emphysema, which is an incurable disease. With proper treatment, help and customary guidance, people with asthma can lead normal active lives.