Allergies

In the United States, allergies are a major cause of illness affecting approximately 50 million adults and children. An allergic reaction occurs when the immune system overreacts to an allergen, which is usually harmless, such as plant pollen, dust mites, molds, food, or insect stings. When people have an allergy, the immune system treats the specific allergen as an invader to the body and releases chemicals, like histamine, to defend itself. These chemicals cause an inflammatory response and cause allergic symptoms which can range from mild to moderate to life-threatening.

The allergic or inflammatory response typically affects the nose, throat, eyes, lungs, skin, stomach or intestines but in extreme circumstances can affect the whole body. Whenever sensitive people are exposed to the same allergen (such as cats or a specific food), their bodies will trigger an allergic response again. By knowing what people are allergic to and taking steps to treat or avoid the reaction, people can improve their symptoms. Studies show that more than half of all adults and children test positive to one or more allergens. Allergies tend to be hereditary and run in families. Sometimes allergies can go away and return years later. Allergists are physicians who have specialized training and experience to diagnose and treat allergic conditions.

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Asthma

Asthma is a common disease that affects the airways of the lungs. Asthma causes the lining of the airways to be inflamed and swollen. This makes the airways more sensitive to allergens or other "triggers" such as smoke, stress, exercise, or cold air. These "triggers" do not affect most people, but can cause mild to severe symptoms in people with asthma by blocking air flow to the lungs. Asthma affects more than 25 million people in the United States. The prevalence of asthma in children in the United States is over 8%. Asthma is more common in people who have family members who have allergies and asthma.

The range of symptoms of people suffering from asthma is wide. Wheezing, or a squeaky whistling sound while breathing, and shortness of breath are common symptoms in asthma. Some people have chest colds or bronchitis a few times a year. Others may only have a cough that wakes them up at night, when they exercise, or when exposed to animals. The presentation of asthma symptoms can vary but it is important to remember that all asthma is serious and can even be deadly. Asthma is a chronic disease, meaning it does not go away. If asthma is not treated properly, it can damage the lungs. The good news is that asthma can be controlled with a variety of medications. Allergists are physicians who have specialized training and experience to diagnose and treat asthma.

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