February 13, 2023

Asthma and Asthma Control via Sublingual Immunotherapy

The respiratory system is an important yet delicate part of the person. Unfortunately, many chronic lung diseases affect people daily, affecting their breathing and inflammation. One specific condition that impacts millions of individuals worldwide is asthma.

While asthma cannot be completely healed and removed, it is possible to control the condition through sublingual immunotherapy. Continue reading to learn more.

What Exactly Is Asthma?

Asthma is deemed a chronic respiratory disease that impacts the airways of the lungs. It is characterized by inflammation, narrowing, and constriction of the airways, which can lead to wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing. 

If a person with asthma is exposed to a trigger, the airways of the lungs become inflamed and constricted, making it difficult to breathe. This inflammation and constriction of the airways are what cause the symptoms of asthma. 

Asthma is usually managed with medications, such as inhaled corticosteroids and bronchodilators, which help reduce inflammation and open up the lungs’ airways. Other treatments, such as immunotherapy, can help reduce asthma symptoms. Working with an allergy clinic to develop an effective asthma management plan is important.

What Are the Symptoms of Asthma?

Symptoms of asthma can typically range from mild to severe and generally vary from person to person. Knowing asthma signs can help you identify the condition and find appropriate treatment. The most common symptom involves shortness of breath.

Asthma sufferers often experience difficulty breathing, especially during physical activity. This can be accompanied by tightness in the chest or wheezing. They may also have a persistent or dry cough, especially at night or when exposed to certain triggers.

If you experience any symptoms, it is important to talk to your doctor. They can help you determine and diagnose if you have asthma, as well as provide treatment to manage your symptoms. With the right arrangements, it is possible to manage your asthma symptoms throughout your day-to-day life and lead a healthy and active lifestyle.

What Causes Asthma?

The exact cause of asthma is generally unknown, but several factors can contribute to the development of the condition. For instance, allergies can be a determining factor in increasing a person's risk of developing this condition.

Other causes include

  • Environmental Factors. Exposure to certain environmental factors can increase your risk of developing asthma. These include exposure to air pollutants, dust, pollen, pet dander, and other allergens. In addition, certain occupations, such as working with chemicals or in a damp environment, can increase the risk of developing asthma. 

  • Respiratory Infections. Respiratory infections like the common cold or the flu can trigger asthma symptoms in those who are already predisposed to the condition. This is because infections can cause inflammation in the airways, which can lead to symptoms such as coughing, wheezing, and difficulty breathing.

  • Genetics. Having a past family history of asthma or allergies can increase your risk of developing the condition. This is because people may have a genetic predisposition to asthma, which means they are more likely to develop such a state. Research also suggests that other types of respiratory diseases in one's bloodline may increase the risk of asthma. 

What Are the Distinctions Between Asthma?

As mentioned, asthma is a chronic condition that can eventually be managed through the right treatment. How this is handled can depend on its categorization and type, as not every person with asthma may have the same experience.

Here are three distinctions to know:

  • Intermittent or Persistent. Occasional flare-ups characterize intermittent asthma, typically triggered by environmental or physical factors. These flare-ups can last from a few minutes to a few hours and can be managed with medications. Persistent asthma is more severe and characterized by frequent flare-ups that require regular medical care.

  • Pediatric or Adult-Onset. Pediatric asthma is typically diagnosed in childhood and resolves itself by adulthood. Adult-onset asthma is diagnosed in adulthood and typically persists throughout a person’s life. There are cases where adult-onset asthma is only developed during adulthood, but there are cases where symptoms occur later.

  • Allergic or Non-Allergic. Allergic and non-allergic asthma are two distinct types based on the condition’s cause. An allergic reaction to certain environmental triggers such as dust mites, pet dander, and pollen triggers allergic asthma. Non-allergic asthma is triggered by physical factors such as exercise, cold air, and stress.

What Are the Other Types of Asthma?

Aside from the distinctive types listed above, there are still other types of asthma that can affect people too. Among those, there are exercise-induced asthma, occupational asthma, and asthma-COPD overlap syndrome. 

Let's explore these other types.

  • Exercise-Induced Asthma. Exercise-induced asthma is triggered by physical activity, such as running, playing sports, or even walking up a flight of stairs. Symptoms can include wheezing, chest tightness, and difficulty breathing that can start during or shortly after exercise. People with exercise-induced asthma may also experience coughing and fatigue.

  • Occupational Asthma. Occupational asthma is known as a type of asthma that is caused by exposure to certain substances at work. Common triggers of occupational asthma include dust, fumes, gasses, and chemicals. However, people with this kind of asthma may experience more severe wheezing, coughing, chest tightness, and more.

  • Asthma-COPD Overlap Syndrome. Asthma-COPD overlap syndrome is a condition that can affect people with both asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Each disease may have its own set of symptoms and treatment options, but both can bring quite considerable difficulty to breathing.

What Is an Asthma Attack?

An asthma attack is a sudden episode of symptoms caused by the narrowing of the airways in the lungs. The muscles around the airways would tighten, the lining of the airways would swell, and the airways may produce more mucus than usual. All of these factors can lead to difficulty breathing and difficulty getting enough oxygen into the body.

Asthma attacks can vary in intensity, ranging from mild to severe. The severity of the episode is determined by a combination of factors, including the amount of airway narrowing and the amount of inflammation in the airways. Generally, when an asthma attack occurs, the person may experience obvious bouts of wheezing, coughing, and chest tightness. 

What Triggers an Asthma Attack?

In certain cases, an asthma attack can be triggered by an environmental trigger, such as an allergen or cold air. In other cases, an asthma attack can be triggered by an emotional or physical trigger, such as stress or exercise. It is important to understand what triggers your asthma attacks so that you can take steps to avoid them.

Here are some general examples of what can trigger an asthma attack:

  • Dust Mites. Dust mites are quite common triggers for an asthma attack. These microscopic creatures would feed on dead skin cells and thrive in warm, humid environments. They can be found in carpets, bedding, furniture, and other soft surfaces. To reduce your exposure to dust mites, it is important to regularly vacuum and dust your home.

  • Air Pollution. Air pollution is another common trigger for asthma attacks. Pollution from vehicles, factories, and other sources can contain harmful particles that can irritate the lungs. It's a must to avoid exercising outdoors when air quality is poor. Additionally, you should keep your windows closed and use air purifiers to clean up the air in your home.

  • Mold and Mildew. Mold and mildew can also cause an asthma attack. These fungi are commonly found in damp areas such as bathrooms, basements, and kitchens. It is important to keep your home dry and clean to reduce your risk. You should also use a dehumidifier to reduce the amount of moisture in the air.

  • Pests and Pets. Pests and pets can, unfortunately, cause an asthma attack. Rodents, cockroaches, and other pests can carry allergens that can trigger an asthma attack. Additionally, pet dander from cats and dogs can also cause an asthma attack. It's a must to free your home of pests and clean your pets. It's best to keep both out of your bedroom as well.

  • Smoke. Smoke is another common trigger for asthma attacks. Cigarette smoke, wood smoke, and other forms of smoke can irritate the airways and cause an asthma attack. It is important to avoid smoking and to avoid secondhand smoke. Additionally, you should avoid burning wood or other materials in your home.

  • Chemicals. Chemicals like cleaning products, aerosols, and other chemicals contain irritants, which can cause an asthma attack. It is important to use natural cleaning products when possible to reduce your risk. Additionally, you should open windows to ventilate your home when using aerosols or other chemicals.

What Is the Cure for Asthma?

Like various chronic lung diseases, there is no concrete cure for asthma. While it can be disheartening in some cases, it's important not to lose hope. The good news is that a number of treatments and strategies can help build resistance, alleviate symptoms, reduce flare-ups, and improve the overall quality of life for those suffering from this condition.

To keep things short, asthma can be effectively managed with proper medical care and arrangements, as well as lifestyle changes. People with asthma may also benefit from asthma control through immunotherapy, which is a treatment that helps to reduce the severity of the disease by changing the way the body responds to allergens.

What Is Asthma Control?

Asthma control is a term used to describe the level of control a person has over their asthma symptoms. It is the ability to reduce or eliminate the frequency and severity of asthma attacks. Asthma control is achieved through proper disease management, lifestyle modifications, and immunotherapy, determining the quality of life of an individual with asthma. 

Poorly controlled asthma can lead to frequent and severe asthma attacks, which can significantly impact an individual’s daily life. On the other hand, well-controlled asthma can reduce the frequency and severity of attacks, allowing individuals to enjoy more of their daily activities without fear of an attack.

Why Is Asthma Control Necessary?

Because there is no complete cure, asthma is a long-term condition that requires ongoing management. The goal of asthma control is to reduce the severity and frequency of asthma attacks, improve quality of life, and prevent long-term complications.

To achieve this, people with asthma need to take their medications as prescribed, make lifestyle changes, and manage their condition by avoiding triggers and recognizing early signs of an attack. It can also help to identify the triggers that cause the asthma attack and share this data for the effectiveness of your immunotherapy.

What Is Sublingual Immunotherapy?

Sublingual Immunotherapy is a treatment that has been gaining popularity and it has the potential to revolutionize how a range of allergic conditions are treated without the administration by a medical professional. It works by stimulating the body’s own immune system to fight off the disease-causing agents by taking drops under the tongue. 

Considered to be an effective treatment, sublingual immunotherapy helps asthma by reducing the severity and frequency of asthma attacks by desensitizing the body to certain allergens. As research continues and more immunotherapies are developed, this treatment option will likely become even more effective and widely used for its convenience. 

How Does Sublingual Immunotherapy Help with Asthma?

Sublingual immunotherapy introduces a small amount of an allergen like dust, pollen, or pet dander into the body. Over a period of time, the body gradually builds up a tolerance to the allergen, which can reduce the severity of asthma symptoms in the future.

Sublingual immunotherapy can treat both allergic and non-allergic asthma. For people with allergic asthma, sublingual immunotherapy can help reduce their sensitivity to the allergen, making their asthma symptoms less severe when exposed to the allergen. For people with non-allergic asthma, sublingual immunotherapy can help reduce the inflammation in the airways, making it easier to breathe.

Conclusion

Sublingual immunotherapy is quite a safe and effective way to control asthma symptoms and can be a great alternative to traditional medications. With the right care, sublingual immunotherapy can be a great way to get your asthma under control and improve your quality of life.

In need of asthma care? Curex makes allergy relief convenient, offering custom treatments to desensitize your body to allergies. Visit us today. 

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