Asthma

Asthma due to allergy:

Asthma is the most commonly seen type of allergy in children and adults.

Asthma can be caused due to airborne or food allergy. It is the allergic condition of the air tubes which carry air in and out of the lungs. Exposure to an airborne or food allergen triggers asthma in an asthmatic person.

When an asthmatic person is exposed to any particles or substance that irritates their air tubes, the air tubes swell and tighten from inside making it difficult for the affected person to breathe. This condition is called asthmatic condition. Some times formation of sticky mucus or phlegm builds in such case can further narrow the airways.

Allergic Asthma can be caused due to airborne allergens such as smoke, strong perfumes etc. It can also be caused due to pets, house mites and some type of food items such as curd, lemon etc. Pollution of air due to some type of gases let out by the industries and vehicles can also trigger asthma.

Majority of people suffer from asthma due to allergy of plant pollen. Pollen is actually a harmless substance but is an allergen which triggers allergic reactions in vulnerable people. The pollen grains being very small and light weight easily get carried by the wind. They mix with other allergens like carbon particles in the air and gain access into human bronchial tubes, thereby causing asthmatic attacks.

Pollen is very difficult to avoid but there can be certain ways to reduce exposure to pollen like

• Do not grow plants in your garden that are pollinated by wind.
• Prevent yourself from pollens from the plants in the surrounding areas by keeping windows closed during the pollinating season. Air conditioners are advisable.
• Preferably keep away from pets.
• Get acquainted with the time of the day when the proportion of pollen is maximum in the air and avoid going out at those times.
• To avoid pollen from collecting on your clothes while drying, dry them indoors maybe in an automatic dryer.