Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is said to be asthma of the nose because the same three things develop which occur in an asthma attack: smooth muscle tightens, the passage lining swells and there is an increase in mucus production.
Sinusitis is an inflammation or infection in the sinuses which are cavities in the nasal passages. You usually get a headache, post nasal drip and a yellow or greenish discharge from the nose.
Nasal polyps are grape-like protrusions inside the nasal passages. The lining of the nose produces too much mucus and it collects in the membrane, eventually stretching and forming lumps which block the passages, making it difficult to breathe. People who have nasal polyps are frequently very allergic to aspirin and need to be exceptionally careful when taking it.
Because all of the above conditions block your nose, you have to breathe through your mouth. This increases your risk of asthma and chest infection. When you breathe through your nose 75% of the germs you inhale never reach your lungs because they are caught by the hairs and mucus in the nose or by the tonsils and adenoids. If you deal with your nose problems then you will also cope much better with your asthma.
Rashes such as eczema, dermatitis or Urticaria (hives) are very common to the asthmatic. The exact reason for this is unknown but may be related to the fact that the IgE antibodies are found in the skin as well as the airways. Perhaps the same kind of immune system causes swelling and redness in both places.
Like asthma, these skin disorders do not always have a direct trigger and so avoiding the cause can be difficult.
Eczema or dermatitis are virtually the same problem and present as itchy, red, flaky inflammation of the skin which may be accompanied by tiny blisters. Some people have it only in small areas where there is direct contact with an allergen and others have it more wide spread with no apparent cause.
Urticaria or hives are red, itchy lumps known as weals. They sometimes join together to form large patches on the skin. They are sometimes triggered off by an allergic reaction to food or a drug but at other times they just seem to arrive for no reason.
To avoid having rashes of these sorts keep a diary of what you ate and what activities you were did within the last 12 hours. After a period of time you may notice a pattern and can then avoid the problems.
The oesophagus or pipe, which takes the food we eat to the stomach, starts at about the same place as the larynx through which air passes. Should the valve between the oesophagus and the stomach not seal properly, as when you have a hiatus hernia, then stomach acid is regurgitated into the oesophagus. You probably call this heartburn or acid reflux. If this acid gets anywhere near the airways it can cause inflammation and bronchoconstriction which results in asthma.
Asthmatics seem to have more than their share of stomach disorders. They feel that they make too much acid, are frequently constipated or have diarrhea.
Taking theophylline and oral steroids may irritate the stomach lining. If you are taking these medications consult your doctor for alternative medications or solutions to the problem. Making an improvement will help the general health as well as the frequency of asthma problems.
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