Hi there,

I am new here and would like to contribute a free article on allergic
asthma.

It is a chronic inflammatory disorder of the lung airways. It's
symptoms are made worse by exposure to an allergen (e.g., dust, mold,
pollen, dust mite allergens and animal dander) to which the patient has
been sensitized. A simple sneeze could trigger allergic asthma or a
simple cough could lead to that as well.

What are the symptoms of allergic asthma?

The symptoms of allergic and non-allergic asthma are the same. They
include coughing, wheezing, shortness of breath or rapid breathing, and
chest tightness. These symptoms are often provoked by an identifiable
trigger.

What factors can cause or trigger allergic asthma?

A family history of allergies is the most important predictor of
whether a person will develop asthma. Environmental substances
(allergens) can trigger an exacerbation - or attack - in patients with
allergic asthma.

The allergens include tree, grass, and weed pollen, plus molds, animal
dander, dust mites and cockroach droppings. Asthma attacks can also be
triggered by viral infections, exercise, cold air and non-specific
irritants.

How many people suffer from allergic asthma?

Allergic asthma is the most common form of asthma. According to the
National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, of the 17 million
asthma sufferers in the United States, 10 million (approximately 60
percent) have allergic asthma. Three million are children and 7 million
are adults.

What is the relationship between allergies and allergic asthma?

Most people with asthma also suffer from other allergic disorders. In
fact, research from the World Health Organization (WHO) shows that at
least 70 percent of asthmatics also suffer from allergic rhinitis or
"hay fever."

Nasal allergies and allergic asthma are both triggered by exposure to
allergens, initiating a series of events that result in tightening of
the airways, swelling of the lining of the airways, nose and eyes, and
mucus production.

What is IgE and why is it important in allergic asthma?

IgE (Immunoglobulin E) is an antibody in the human immune system that
plays a critical role in the allergic process.

When an individual is sensitized to an allergen, he or she produces an
IgE antibody directed against that allergen. The IgE antibody attaches
to mast cells.

When the individual is exposed to that same allergen again, the
allergen binds to the IgE on the mast cell causing it to release
substances such as histamine, prostaglandins and leukotrienes, which
cause symptoms such as chest tightness, coughing and wheezing.

What treatments are available for people suffering from allergic
asthma?

It is important for people with asthma to seek treatment. First,
patients are evaluated to identify their specific allergic triggers and
a program of allergen avoidance is recommended.

Asthma is treated with medications including anti-inflammatory agents,
such as corticosteroids and anti-leukotrienes that decrease
inflammation in the lungs, and bronchodilators used for relief of
symptoms.

Allergen immunotherapy, also known as allergy shots, is a program of
injections that reduces allergic sensitization.

A new drug currently under review by the Food and Drug Administration
(FDA), known as anti-IgE, concentrates on short-circuiting the allergic
reaction in the body before it even begins.

Anti-IgE therapy stops the allergic reaction before it starts, allowing
the patient to avoid allergy symptoms that often trigger an asthma
attack or lead to the development of asthma attacks.

Researchers are looking for targets for new forms of treatment. Future
therapies may focus on cytokines, substances that maintain the chronic
inflammation responsible for asthma.

Other research may also lead to the development of new
anti-inflammatory drugs, which may retain the anti-inflammatory effects
of corticosteroids but cause fewer systemic side effects.

As the more and more developing countries are emerging, more and more
air pollution is arising, whether asthma or allergic asthma, the number
of people having is rising.

They could have acquired this chronic illness rather than having it
genetically as the environment is getting more and more dirtier.

Thanks for reading...

Regards,
Eddy K WW
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