A drug is used to treat a health issue or a disease, but it can rarely happen that the drug itself can cause an allergic reaction. Read on to know more about important things you must know about drug allergy.

What leads to a drug allergy? 

The body s immune system identifies any trigger as an antigen and produces  antibodies  to fight the antigen. It can, however, rarely happen that the drug itself can turn out to be an antigen and trigger the production of antibodies. There is a slight difference between side effect and allergy caused by a drug.

While a side effect will be seen in almost any person who takes it, the allergic reaction to a drug is based on the person s immune system. A weakened immune system has a higher chance of triggering a drug allergy. For instance, steroids have the side effect of increasing sugar levels, whereas penicillin causing anaphylaxis is an example of a drug allergy.

A side effect may sometimes be positive too; however, a drug allergy is almost always negative.

Another aspect also is to note that a drug allergy may disappear over a period of time.

Possible drugs causing allergies:

Antibiotics like penicillin and sulfa drugs
NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
Chemotherapy drugs
Aspirin
Kinds of drug allergies: While there are many drugs which can cause minor allergies like a rash, there are some which could have a life-threatening effect. Anaphylaxis, for instance, can be very dangerous, and if not immediately attended to, can even cause death. Most often though symptoms include irregular heartbeat, swelling, and difficulty breathing.

Treatment of drug allergies:
For mild drug allergies, if the drug is critical for improving health, then the doctor can choose to continue the drug and give another drug to control the reaction.

However, if the reaction is severe, then an alternate needs to be given so that the health is taken care of, without causing a severe allergic reaction. Some common agents used to treat drug allergies are listed below:

Antihistamines: Most allergic reactions are associated with the release of increased amounts of histamine. Therefore, antihistamines are used which can be used to control symptoms like swelling, redness of eyes, itching, and rashes. These can be used as eye drops, nasal spray, creams, or tablets.
Corticosteroids: Often used to control overall inflammation and used in managing symptoms related to airways.
Bronchodilators: If there are issues relating to breathing and chest tightness, this class of drugs are used.
Be frank with your doctor and tell any reaction you might notice. When having future surgeries, including dental, let the doctor know about your allergy.

Drug Allergy - What All Should You Know?

Most people know all about Asthma, how dangerous it is and most importantly, with the rising levels of pollution and irritants how people are getting affected by it all over the world. Just like famous events, incidents and festivals have their special date in the calendar, May 1 apart from being the International Labour Day, holds another significant stance worldwide. As it is celebrated as the World Asthma Day. This day marks the initiation of the Asthma awareness campaign worldwide.

Understanding Asthma in brief

Asthma is a long-term respiratory condition, in which the airways of the human system may unexpectedly and suddenly narrow, often in response to an allergen, cold air, exercise or emotional stress. Common symptoms include wheezing, shortness of breath, chest tightness, and coughing.

Why is Asthma Day important?

World Asthma Day is celebrated every year on the first Tuesday of May. This year it falls on 1st May. The day is celebrated to spread awareness about Asthma and how people all over the world can spread it amongst their families. Therefore to commemorate the event and educate the students in school and parents at home, World Asthma day was commenced. The aim of this campaign is to make people understand the types of Asthma that can affect them and immediate safety tips so as to ensure that the severity of the disease can be curtailed. 

Things to keep in mind about Asthma

All over the world, there are several people who do not opt for Asthma treatment and that proves to be a fatal mistake later on in life. Chronic Asthma disease can be easily prevented by a simple treatment in the initial stages. People who suffer from Asthma often face chronic attacks if they forget to carry their inhaler and different kinds of allergies are also very fatal for asthma people.

Things that can trigger Asthma in people

Dust 
Pollens
Gastroesophageal Reflux
Pet Dander
Certain foods 
Exposure to chemicals 
Excessive physical activity 
Stress 
39-50% Of Sinusitis patients have Asthma also 
Extremely cold conditions
Signs someone is suffering from Asthma 

Persistent coughing
Difficulty in breathing
Wheezing 
Tightness in chest
Diagnosis and severity are established by a simple air blowing test known as Spirometry.

Chest X-ray and Sinus X-ray Help 
Serum IgE a blood test tells about type and severity
Severe cases may require special blood test known as Arterial Blood Gases to look at blood oxygen and carbon dioxide.

Sheet anchor of therapy is the inhaled medication to dilate airway and to reduce inflammation. The dose being in microgram dose is harmless and delivered to the site of the problem.  New drugs known as Omalizumab and Benralizumab are approved for specific nonresponding patients with severe asthma.

Prevent asthma from being harmful

Asthma is a chronic disease can stay for the rest of someone's life. So on this World Asthma Day make sure that you know how it can be treated and prevent the disease from harming someone you love. Here are some treatment tips.

First get to know more about asthma and become a partner with the doctor to carry out treatment for a long time period.

Be aware of the allergens that may trigger asthma and prevent them from coming in contact with the person.

Make sure to keep the doctor updated regarding the status of a patient's condition and for any sign of potential risk.

If a loved one is suffering then ensure that they lead their life as per the guidelines shared by the doctor, in order to prevent any risky situation. 

So here are the important things that you should be knowing about asthma. And, in case you notice any of the symptoms mentioned above, one should immediately contact their doctor. On this World Asthma Day be aware of the disease and keep the people safe who are suffering from it. Stay Healthy!

World Asthma Day - Spreading Awareness Is Important!

Asthma happens to be derived from of the Greek word 'toiled breathing' or  gasping'. Asthma is a condition portrayed by a paroxysmal wheezing breath dyspnoea (trouble in breathing), for the most part expiratory. 
Factors that may induce asthma 
As indicated by the etiology, bronchial asthma is separated in the accompanying gatherings: 
1. Unfavorably susceptible (outward / atopic) Asthma: This sort of asthma is more often than not begins in youth and is frequently gone before by dermatitis. Be that as it may, a large portion of the youthful grown-ups (35 yrs) creating asthma likewise fall in this class. Hereditary elements likewise assume a huge part is this. In this sort of asthma the allergen prompts to generation of over the top (IgE) immunoglobulins. 


2. Infective or Intrinsic Asthma: This is not innate or unfavorably susceptible, but rather might be brought on by, or if nothing else connected with upper respiratory tract or bronchial contamination which is generally popular. 


Signs and symptoms of Asthma
Repetitive scene of paroxysmal dyspnoea (trouble in breathing). The breathing is worked, with a wheezing sound, for the most part on close. Asthma assaults regularly happen in the early hours of morning (when there is no prompt accelerating cause). Amid the assault patients frequently wants to sit then rests. 


Medications: There are loads of meds in homeopathy for asthma side effects, but the choice of prescription fluctuates from patient to tolerant. 
Ipecac (As per Medical Suggestion): This remedy is a nearby homeopathic metaphor to asthma, particularly to the convulsive assortment where the manifestations are incredible weight and uneasiness around the midsection.
Arsenicum (As per Medical Suggestion): As expressed above, this remedy has some similitude to other remedies, yet the season of assaults is soon after 12 pm. The patient has a lot of anguish and anxiety; he can't rests because of a paranoid fear of suffocation.
Nux vomica (As per Medical Suggestion): This remedy is a valuable remedy when the asthmatic assaults are brought on by gastric unsettling influences; basic fitful asthmas; there is some help by burping, the patient must extricate the apparel. 
Kali bichromicum (As per Medical Suggestion): The potashes deliver asthmatic condition and under this remedy we discover the assaults going ahead around three or four o'clock in the morning, convincing the patient to sit up to breath.

Suffering from Asthma? These Homeopathic Remedies can Help You Treat It

Air pollution is known to take a toll on the lungs of even the healthiest adults. So, it comes as no surprise that the effects of this pollution on the lungs of children is deemed as a grave situation, full of health hazards including the onset of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disorders and conditions like asthma and other lung disorders. Read on to find out more about the link between air pollution and its effect on the lungs of children.

Children's Lungs: Mostly, all the organs of a child's body are considered delicate and not fully matured until the child reaches a certain age. The main and largest part of the child's lungs will usually grow only after the child is born, much like the arms and legs. In fact, it is a medically proven fact that about 80% of the tiniest of air sacs grow after the child's birth, these are called the alveoli and they facilitate the transfer of the oxygen into the bloodstream with a life-sustaining function that is built into our lungs. These alveoli continue to grow until the child becomes an adult. 

Immunity and Infections: Like the lungs of the child, the immunity of the child is also still in its growth phase, and is very much, unlike the immunity that an adult enjoys. This makes the child more susceptible to infections that are usually carried by air pollution in today's day and age of urban living when myriad pollutants are sent into the air every single day. Also, since children play outdoors more often and spend more time breathing in this air, they are more prone to these infections and lung or respiratory ailments due to this reason. Various studies and tests have shown inflammation in the respiratory passages caused by deposits of carbon dioxide emissions in the lungs of children.

Symptoms: Usually, the very first symptoms that show that air pollution is affecting your child's lungs can be seen when persistent coughing and wheezing sets in, without any proper reason. Also, when the child faces bronchial infections time and time again, all these are indicators of hazardous effects of air pollution in children.

Respiratory problems: Apart from respiratory problems, which can lead to asthmatic attacks, hay fever and allergies as well as other COPD ailments, there are other related dangers as well. These can happen when constant choking and obstruction of oxygen due to pollution becomes a regular affair. These include stroke and brain damage which can eventually also lead to a higher risk of dementia. 

How can you protect your child during such times?

Restrict outdoor activity for the time being, especially during the early morning and evening
Make sure that your child wears a face mask when outside, preferably N95 or 99
Use air purifiers at home 
Go green and use indoor plants that can remove indoor toxins
Boost your child's immunity
Lastly, keep a track of air quality index in your locality

Pollution - How It Can Affect Your Child's Lungs?

If you have been diagnosed with asthma, it is important for you to know about the most common triggers of asthma. Asthma is a medical condition, which is characterised by paroxysmal wheezing respiration dyspnoea. It causes breathing difficulties, tightened chest and coughing. By identifying and reducing your exposure to several asthma triggers, you will be able to manage or control your asthma symptoms and the frequency of your asthma attacks. Here are the most common triggers of asthma you should know about:

Allergies that trigger asthma
Allergies, are common problems and over 80% of people are suffering from asthma and are allergic towards substances like weed pollens, animal dander, dust mites, mould and cockroach particles. Children having large amounts of cockroach droppings in their homes are more likely to develop childhood asthma. Dust exposure may lead to dust mite allergy in asthmatic patients.

Food which triggers asthma
Certain food allergies may lead to isolated asthma, where other symptoms are absent. Patients with food allergies can exhibit asthma as a part of anaphylaxis, which are food induced. The common food items which are associated with allergies include eggs, peanuts, cow milk, soy, fish, wheat, shrimps, salads and fresh fruits. Several food preservatives also trigger asthma. They may include sulfite additives such as potassium bisulfite, potassium metabisulfite, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfate and many others. These are commonly used in food processing and trigger asthma in sensitive people.

Asthma induced by exercise
Strenuous exercise may lead to the narrowing of the airways in maximum people having asthma. Exercise acts as a primary trigger for asthma symptoms in many people. Patients having exercise induced asthma are likely to feel chest tightness accompanied by coughing and breathing difficulties after completing an aerobic workout session. Although the symptoms subside, they may reoccur within some hours. You should warm up properly and slowly before a rigorous workout session to prevent an asthma attack.

Smoking
People who smoke are more likely to have asthma. If you have asthma and still smoke, the symptoms of wheezing and coughing worsen. Pregnant women who smoke increase the chance of wheezing in their to-be-born babies. You should absolutely quit smoking if you have asthma.

Infections which trigger asthma
Several infections such as cold, bronchitis, flu and sinus may cause asthma attacks. The respiratory infections, which are viral or bacterial, are a common cause and trigger asthma, especially in children. Asthma is also associated with severe heartburn. According to studies, more than 85% people with asthma also suffer from heartburn. This is a condition known as gastroesophageal reflux disease or GERD.

Asthma - Common Triggers Behind it?

Asthma is an inflammatory disease, which affects the airways of your lungs (respiratory tract that pumps oxygen into the lungs). It is long term in nature. It is characterized by shortness of breath, coughing and wheezing. It occurs a few times a day or a few times a week depending on the person it affects. Sometimes it worsens during the night.

What triggers Asthma?

Airborne particles such as dust mites, mould spores, pollen and cockroach waste.
Infections in the respiratory system such as a common cold.
Cold air can also trigger asthma.
Physical or outdoor activities which make you pant such as running, skipping, jogging and jumping can cause shortness of breath, thus triggering asthma.
Pollutants and irritants in air such as smoke.
Some medications can also trigger asthma.
Stress and nervous attacks (panic attacks) also trigger asthma.
How to manage asthma better by changing your lifestyle:

Try to avoid keeping animals in your houses such as dogs, cats and rabbits. Many times animal fur, waste, urine and saliva contains particles which can cause allergic reactions and make you cough uncontrollably. This, in turn, triggers asthma attacks. If you have pets try keeping them away from your bedroom.
Dust mites also cause allergies which trigger asthma. So wash your carpets, rugs, bed-linen and pillowcases in hot water.
Bugs and insects such as cockroaches are not only unhygienic but can also trigger asthma. Cockroach droppings near your bed, kitchen and food are dangerous and you should call an exterminator to get rid of these bugs.
Sometimes, the heavy fragrance also aggravates your respiratory tract and triggers shortness of breath. Avoid using heavy perfumes, deodorants and room fresheners.
Pollution also triggers asthma. Dust particles come out from the vehicles and mix with the air. If this air is inhaled, it might trigger uncontrollable asthma. So try to cover your mouth with a cloth when you step out of your house.
Asthma can be very severe and can bring many hurdles in your day to day activities. Changing your lifestyle and certain habits can reduce asthma to a great extent.

Lifestyle Changes to Manage Asthma Better

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