THE ASTHMA - ALLERGY CONNECTION

For the past thirty years I have had a special interest in Asthma. The diagnosis, pathophysiology, and pharmacotherapy for Asthma has been very well studied and documented. Although I am satisfied with the progress that medicine has made in these areas, I am quite concerned with the advances that have been made in finding the underlying cause for Asthma and subsequently the treatment provided for patients. It is my opinion that if we can find the underlying reason(s) for an individual suffering from Asthma, it is more likely that we can provide a more comprehensive and effective program to treat the individual.

To many general allergists, the word "allergy" is limited to the adverse affects of inhalants such as pollens (trees, grass, weeds, molds) and animal danders (dogs, cats).

There are underlying factors that can induce an asthma attack. These include exercise, viral or bacterial (cold, bronchitis, pneumonia); pollutants (cigarette smoke, wood stove, smoke, perfume); cold air, coughing, laughing and certain medications. In addition, allergies to cats, dogs, dust products, weeds, grasses, molds, trees and foods can precipitate asthma attacks.

Jill, a 14-year old patient, had severe asthma with symptoms that were increased in the spring, fall, and early winter. She visited the emergency room several times and was even hospitalized once. She had been treated by another allergist for her allergic problems but showed no improvement on allergy desensitization. Allergy testing was limited to eight pollen inhalants.

Allergy testing in our office revealed 23 marked allergic reactions to grasses, trees, weeds and dust mites. The patient was put on sublingual inhalant immunotherapy and at the followup visit two months later, Jill was markedly improved. Her persisting fatigue, headaches, and multiple nasal complaints had virtually disappeared and her dependence on three different inhalers was unnecessary due to the sublingual immunotherapy. In general, more antigens can be treated sublingually compared to injection desensitization. The risk of serious allergic reactions is much more common with shots.

Once a child's allergies are identified, asthma and related allergies can often be treated with sublingual immunotherapy. Sublingual immunotherapy is essentially a homeopathic-like treatment. It involves the detection of each allergen and the subsequent development of a treatment comprised of specific allergen dilutions which block adverse reactions. Sublingual immunotherapy is an effective treatment for foods, molds, chemicals and pollen allergies that are causing multiple medical complaints, including asthma-related problems. In addition, this method of treatment is particularly effective for small children because each treatment is administered under the tongue and no injections are necessary.

Jill's case illustrates the significant role underlying allergies play in asthma conditions and the dramatic results sublingual immunotherapy can have in treating these problems. In evaluating a patient for asthma, it is important to look at the total picture and the various factors that can provoke asthma symptoms. In this patient's case, indepth testing of pollens and dust mites was necessary to get the desired results. In other situations it may be necessary to test molds, foods and additives.

Parents should make sure that their pediatric allergist or family physician look at the various factors which can provoke asthma symptoms. The subsequent treatment could improve the child's health and well-being.

Asthma today should not slow children down or make them feel prohibited from participating in desired activities. There are effective treatment options available that enable most children with asthma to live normal, happy and healthy lives.