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allergies & asthma
Take care of your allergies. The same triggers that cause allergy
symptoms can also trigger your asthma symptoms. Allergies and asthma have a common
underlying component—inflammation. While allergies are more common, anyone
can develop either condition, and many people have both. In fact, more than half
of the people with asthma also have allergies. With nasal allergies, the inflammation
is in the nasal passages. With asthma, the inflammation is in the airways of the
lungs. You'll need separate medicines for each problem.
what to watch for
If you have allergies and are concerned that you may have
asthma, answer the following questions. Then discuss your answers with your
healthcare professional:
- Do I wake up in the middle of the night because I'm coughing, wheezing,
or having a hard time breathing? If yes, how often?
- Have I had to cut back on routine activities like walking up stairs or exercising
because I’m coughing, wheezing, or having a hard time breathing?
- Do I feel I can't do things because I’m concerned that I’ll experience
these symptoms?
talk to your healthcare professional
The more your healthcare professional knows about you and your
symptoms, the more he or she can help you—whether you suffer from allergies,
asthma, or both. Both conditions require ongoing treatment that includes regular monitoring of
your symptoms. So, be prepared to do your part. And don't be concerned about asking
your healthcare professional for more information or to clarify something you
don’t understand. When you fully understand your condition and what's expected
of you, you'll feel better—and breathe easy!
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