Differences and Similarities Between Allergies and Asthma

Allergies are the most common cause of the inflammation which underlies most asthma particularly in younger sufferers.

Allergy rates are on the increase especially in Western countries (compared to people in less affluent rural parts of the world) and there is a growing body of evidence that strongly suggests that asthma is an environmentally induced disease.

This raises the challenging possibility that we may be able to prevent asthma by altering our environment.

Treating asthma by removing the causes, aka triggers, may prove to be successful when the cause is easy to remove, such as a dust or vapors inhaled at the office.

This is also true when the cause is a pet such as a cat or dog, however the reluctance to not have loved pet commonly prevents this.

An allergy to house dust mites is one of the commonest cause of asthma but getting rid of mites sufficiently to make a significant difference requires such a major and expensive change in lifestyle for the sufferer that it is rarely successful..

Research is currently being carried out to develop future treatments which may be able to modify or diminish the allergic process in the body and help all asthmatics.

Asthma and Allergies

oThe cause of the inflammation (of the airway) which underlies most asthma in younger sufferers is one or more allergies.

oMore people in western countries suffer from allergies, compared to people in less affluent parts of the world, and allergy rates are on the increase.