How Can You Differentiate Between The Symptoms of Allergy, Asthma And The Common Cold?

nMany scientists think some people inherit the tendency to be allergic from one or both parents. However, they probably do not inherit a tendency to be allergic to any specific allergen. If both parents have allergies, their children are more likely to develop allergies.nnAllergy defined:nn• An allergy is a specific reaction of the body’s immune system to a normally harmless substance, one that does not bother most people. nnIn addition, people with allergies are often sensitive to more than one substance.nnTypes of allergens causing allergic reactions may include:nn• Pollensn• House dust mitesn• Mold sporesn• Foodn• Latex rubbern• Insect venomn• MedicinesnnExposure to allergens during times when the body’s defenses are lowered such as after a viral infection or during pregnancy, may contribute to developing allergies.nnThe immune system functions as the body’s defense against germs like bacteria and viruses. Most allergic reactions, however, is the immune system responding to a false alarm.nnSequence of allergic person coming in contact with an allergen:nn• The immune system treats the allergen as an invadern• The immune system prepares to attackn• The immune system prepares the attack by generating large amounts of a type of antibody called immunoglobulin E, or IgEn• Each IgE antibody is specific for one type of pollenn• When the allergen encounters its specific IgE, it attaches to the antibody like a key fitting into a lock that signals the cell to which the IgE is attached to release (and, in some cases, to produce) powerful chemicals like histamine that cause inflammationn• The chemicals released act on tissues in various parts of the body, such as the respiratory systemn• The result of this process causes symptoms of allergynnWhat are the signs and symptoms of airborne allergies familiar to many people?nn• Sneezingn• Runny or clogged nosen• Coughing n• Postnasal dripn• Itching eyes, nose, and throatn• Watering eyesn• Conjunctivitisn• Allergic shiners (dark circles under the eyes)n• Allergic salute (in a child, persistent upward rubbing of the nose that causes a crease mark on the nose)nnWhat happens in people who are not allergic?nn• The mucus in the nasal passages moves foreign particles to the throat. In the throat, these foreign particles are swallowed or coughed out.nnWhat happens in a person who is sensitive to airborne allergens?nn• As soon as the allergen lands on the lining inside the nose, a chain reaction occurs that leads the mat cells in these tissues to release histamine and other chemicals.n• The powerful chemicals contract certain cells that line some small blood vessels in the nose to allow fluids to escape and cause the nasal passages to swell.n• Nasal congestion results.nnHistamine also can cause:nn• Sneezingn• Itchingn• Irritationn• Excess mucus productionnnAll the above reactions can result in “allergic rhinitis.”nnWhat are the other chemical released by mast cells that contribute to allergic symptoms?nn• Cytokinesn• LeukotrienesnnAsthma is a very serious condition that can develop in people with allergy. nnThe symptoms of asthma include:nn• Coughingn• Wheezingn• Shortness of breathnnWhat is the shortness of breath in asthma patients due to?nn• A narrowing of the airways in the lungs and to excess mucus production and inflammationnnIs asthma serious?nn• Asthma can be disabling and sometimes fatal.nnWhat does it mean if wheezing and shortness of breath accompany allergy symptoms?nn• It is a signal that the airways also have become involvednnHow can you tell the difference between allergy and common cold symptoms?nn• There is no good way to tell the differencen• Both conditions produce runny nose, coughing and sneezing common to allergy conditions and common to coldsn• Allergy symptoms may last longer than cold symptomsn• A respiratory illness lasting longer than a week or two should warrant a consultation with a health care providernnSource: National Institute of Allergy and Infectious DiseasesnnDisclaimer: These statements have not been evaluated by the Food and Drug Administration. The information in this article is not intended to diagnose, treat, cure or prevent any disease. All health concerns should be addressed by a qualified health care professionalnnnnThis article is FREE to publish with the resource box.nn© 2007 Connie Limon All Rights Reservednn