Asthma is a chronic respiratory condition characterized by inflammation and narrowing of the airways, leading to difficulty in breathing. Common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing, especially at night or early in the morning. The severity of asthma can vary from mild to life-threatening.
Asthma involves inflammation of the bronchial tubes carrying oxygen in and carbon dioxide out of the lungs. This inflammation makes the person highly sensitive to triggers such as smoke, dust and pollens. When the triggers are sensed, the walls of the bronchioles swell, and the openings are filled with mucus. At the same time, muscles within the bronchioles contract (bronchospasm) resulting in narrowing them down further. This narrowing creates difficulty in exhalation.
Although asthma cannot be cured completely, it can be managed. Management of asthma includes identifying and avoiding allergens that trigger symptoms, using drug therapies in the form of Inhalers and developing an emergency action plan for severe attacks. A quick relief inhaler is an ideal tool to keep handy for the times of asthmatic attacks.
Allergic rhinitis, commonly known as hay fever, is an allergic reaction that occurs when the immune system overreacts to allergens in the air. This condition primarily affects the nasal passages, causing inflammation and a variety of symptoms.Symptoms are triggered when a person comes in contact to an allergen. The immunoglobin E antibodies (IgE) within the person’s body bind the allergen and deliver it to receptors called basophils. This triggers the release of inflammatory chemicals such as histamine causing reactions such as inflammation, itching, sneezing, runny nose, red eyes and difficulty and shortness of breath. Also, conditions such as asthma, nasal polyps (small growth of tissues in the nasal cavity), sinusitis (infection of sinuses) and Otitis Media ( infection of middle ear) are being associated with rhinitis.
Allergies are immune system responses to substances that are typically harmless to most people. When an allergic person comes into contact with an allergen, their immune system overreacts, producing symptoms that can range from mild to severe.
Allergies are a condition in which the body's immune system overreacts to certain substances and triggers an allergic reaction. The 10 most common allergies include foods, animals, pollen, mold, dust mites, medications, latex, insect stings, cockroaches, and perfumes/household chemicals.
For complete and thorough Pulmonary services and expert discussions, visit Dr. Umesh Varma's Sri Raja Rajeshwari Chest Clinic located in Manikonda, Hyderabad.