Allergies & Asthma
Allergies and asthma are often linked together — if you don’t know what’s triggering your allergies, you might be more susceptible to asthma attacks. With the help of expert family practitioner, you can get comprehensive care and diagnostic services right in the office at CareFirst Wellness Associates. You can either request an asthma and allergy appointment online or call one of our clinic location directly to book.
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Asthma is a condition that affects the various branches (bronchial tubes) that carry air to and from your lungs. Allergies (allergic asthma) often trigger this chronic condition, although you can certainly develop these issues separate from each other. Common causes of asthma and allergies are explained below.
Causes of asthma
Asthma can begin during childhood, or you can develop it later on in life. In either case, some of the likely causes and triggers include:
Allergic reactions
A family history of asthma
Cigarette use or secondhand smoke
Frequent exposure to air pollution
Exercise, which is more common in children
Causes of allergies
As with asthma, allergies can be something you have from an early age. But you can start experiencing allergies at any point in life, too. Allergies occur when your body thinks a seemingly harmless substance is attacking your body — your system just doesn’t recognize it.
Your immune system winds up going into overdrive, and chemicals called histamines start triggering widespread inflammation. While you can be allergic to anything, some of the most common causes of allergic reactions include:
Nuts, eggs, dairy, and seafood
Pollen, dust, mites, and dander
Grass, ragweed, or mold spores
Insect stings
Because both asthma and allergies affect your breathing, it’s important to understand the signs and symptoms.
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When your bronchial tubes become inflamed due to asthma, or when you start to have an allergic reaction, it often becomes difficult to catch your breath. With asthma, and even sometimes with allergies, you might start wheezing or coughing uncontrollably.
If you’re having an allergy attack, which can worsen your asthma symptoms, you might even experience:
Rashes or hives
A runny nose
Nausea or vomiting
Throat or facial swelling
Since asthma and allergy attacks can be life-threatening if left untreated, it’s important to seek immediate emergency medical attention if you’re experiencing any of these symptoms.
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Our providers spend time evaluating your current health, as well as your personal and family medical history. Because of on-site laboratory and the doctors can perform skin-prick allergy testing right in the office, you can often get a diagnosis the same day. Depending on the cause and severity of your asthma and allergies, your treatment plan may include:
Immunotherapy (allergy shots)
Fast-acting inhalers
Long-acting inhaled medications
Antihistamine medications
Epinephrine injections
No matter how minor or how severe your asthma and allergies may be, rest assured, the team at CareFirst Wellness Associates an help.
To get treatments for allergies and asthma at CareFirst Wellness Associates, book an evaluation. You can schedule via text or call with your nearest location.
