Do you experience chronic coughing, wheezing, or chest tightness? Do you notice a whistling sound when you breathe or have trouble sleeping due to your constant coughing? These symptoms may indicate asthma. It’s important to identify which type of asthma you have. Allow us to highlight two types of asthma: allergic asthma and non-allergic asthma.
What is allergic asthma?
Allergic asthma occurs when your body is triggered by allergens entering your body – most commonly through your mouth, nose, or eyes. Common allergens that can trigger an asthmatic episode include:
- Cockroaches
- Dust mites
- Mold spores
- Pet dander
- Pollen
You may experience frustrating allergy symptoms, as well, such as water eyes, itchiness, eyelid swelling, redness, and grittiness. It’s important to identify which allergen(s) is causing these symptoms so you can take back control of your body. (Hint – you can accomplish this via immunotherapy! Immunotherapy is a proven treatment plan to teach your immune system to accept the allergen instead of overreacting to it.)
What is non-allergic asthma?
Non-allergic asthma occurs when your body is triggered by elements that are NOT allergens. For example, you may have non-allergic asthma if you experience asthmatic symptoms after being exposed to:
- Certain food additives
- Exercise
- Extreme weather conditions
- Irritants in the air
- Medications
- Stress
- Viral respiratory infections
If your asthma is not triggered by allergens, you may be asking yourself, “Should I visit an allergist for non-allergic asthma?” The answer is a resounding YES! Because the majority of asthma in Middle Georgia is allergic asthma, it’s important to correctly diagnose the triggers that are causing your symptoms.
Additionally, non-allergic asthma may be harder to diagnose to the untrained eye since there aren’t specific allergens to link it to. Via an allergy test, a friendly Langford Allergy team member can rule out certain allergens and talk about your environment and surroundings when you begin to feel asthmatic symptoms.
Langford Allergy can accurately diagnose and help you manage non-allergic or allergic asthma.
Asthma is an incredibly serious condition. If left unmanaged and untreated, your lungs may become damaged. Our team will discuss ways to manage your condition and certain medicines to help if you feel the onset of an asthma attack. Call us today: 478-787-4728
Stay tuned for our four-part series on different types of asthma:
- Part 1 – A Spotlight on Non-Allergic & Allergic Asthma
- Part 2 – A Spotlight on Adult-Onset Asthma
- Part 3 – A Spotlight on Exercise-Induced Bronchoconstriction (EIB)
- Part 4 – A Spotlight on Occupational Asthma & COPD Overlap