Use asthma and allergy medications and breathe easy

People suffering from asthma usually also suffer from allergies. Asthma is a disease affecting the branches of the windpipe or bronchial tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Allergic reactions occur when the immune system of a person reacts to otherwise harmless substances such as dust or pollen, also known as allergens. The same substances that trigger your allergies might also cause the signs and symptoms of asthma. You would need asthma and allergy medications when you are experiencing symptoms such as shortness of breath, tightness in chest, and wheezing. Some of the common triggers for these symptoms could be pollen, dust mites, or even certain kinds of food.

Most treatments are designed to treat either the asthma or the allergy; however, there are certain asthma and allergy medications that can help with both conditions. These medications can help control the immune system chemicals released during an allergic reaction and ease both the allergy and asthma symptoms. However, a few of these medications have been linked to certain negative psychological reactions and it is best to seek medical advice before taking the same.

There are certain asthma and allergy medications and shots that can reduce the response of the patient’s immune system to specific allergy triggers. In some forms of therapy, doctors have been known to inject a tiny amount of the allergen to a patient’s system to build up tolerance to the same over time. This reduces the intensity of the allergic reactions and brings about a decrease in the associated asthma symptoms as well.

Most asthma and allergy meds help prevent the allergic reactions that trigger the symptoms associated with asthma. In addition to taking these medications under the supervision of a registered medical practitioner, a patient should avoid the substances that bring about the allergies in the first place. In case the patient finds that the medication or treatment plan is not working, or there are certain side effects he is not comfortable with, he would need to consult his physician at the earliest.

Travel Safety Tips for Allergy Patients

People suffering from allergies must be very careful while travelling. They must be aware of all types of allergens that can trigger allergies. These include dust, dust mites, pollen, food allergies etc. It is thus important to keep the epinephrine handy.

Traveling by Car: While traveling by car and using the air conditioner or heater, it I important to open the windows for ten minutes and air out the car. This help remove dust mites. Keep the windows of the car closed to prevent outdoor allergens such as pollen, cigarette smoke or air pollution entering into the car. Early morning or late evening is the most suitable time for allergy patients to travel.

Traveling by airplane: Traveling in airplane causes other types of allergies such as food allergies. Most airlines provide food that is prepared by vendors. The stewardess may not be in a position to tell about the ingredients in the food. Thus it is always advisable to carry Epinephrine to prevent severe food reactions. It is better to postpone the journey if suffering from sinusitis or ear infections. Chewing gum will help reduce the pain.

 

Summary: Keep Epinephrine handy to prevent or reduce the symptom of allergies during journeys.