Allergic Rhinitis (Hay Fever)
Allergic Rhinitis is caused by inhaling airborne particles you may be allergic to. These are
called allergens. Out of the more than 67 million Americans who suffer from allergies, 24-40
million suffer from airborne allergies. These are caused by:
◆ Pollen
◆ Pet dander
◆ Dust particles
◆ Mold spores

Plants like ragweed, cattail and maple tree release their pollen to initiate their reproductive
processes with nearby plants of their species. Pollens are carried by the wind, so not all of
them reach their targets, and instead they land on you. For that reason, too, pollen is
frequently present in the air we breathe.

Taking into account the airborne allergens listed above, there are two forms of allergic rhinitis: Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis
(also called Hay Fever or Pollinosis) and Perennial Allergic Rhinitis.

Seasonal Allergic Rhinitis occurs during specific flowering periods when plants are shedding their pollen. In general, trees
flower in the spring, grasses in the summer and weeds in the fall.

Perennial Rhinitis, on the other hand, is characterized for it's year-round allergy symptoms. Most symptoms are due to pet
dander, dust, mold in the house, etc.

General symptoms of these types of allergies include:
◆ sneezing
◆ clear and watery nasal discharge and congestion
◆ itchy eyes, nose, and throat
◆ watery eyes

Understanding Allergic Asthma

The symptoms you may feel during an asthma attack are due to the inflammation of the lungs and airways. This inflammation
causes the simple act of breathing to become painful. Not only do the airways become tighter and narrower, the walls of
those airways release extra mucus, adding additional barriers to breathing. This mucus also causes your body to cough, a
mechanism used by the body to expel the mucus rapidly. Currently, there is no explanation of why asthma occurs or what
triggers your lungs to be so sensitive.

Asthma is a respiratory disease with symptoms that are undoubtedly familiar-shortness of breath, wheezing , tightness in the
chest, and coughing.

Allergic asthma is a form of the disease that’s triggered by allergens in the air, Examples , of allergens that can trigger
asthma include: cockroaches, dust mites, mold, and pet dander, among other things.

There are many irritants that can trigger an asthmatic reaction. These are the most common:
◆ Airborne Allergens (pollen, mold, animal dander, and dust)
◆ Viral infections of the respiratory system
◆ Tobacco smoke
◆ Pollution
◆ Strong odors (paint, house cleaners, etc)
◆ Exercise (Note: asthmatic people can and should exercise, with care, when they are feeling well. Ask your doctor about
exercise and asthma).
◆ Drug sensitivity (for example, to aspirin)
◆ Stress and emotional anxiety

The symptoms of allergic asthma are virtually the same as those for non-allergic asthma. The difference between the two
forms of asthma lies in the cause. Triggers for allergic asthma set off a complex chain of events-specifically, an allergic
reaction-that results in the airway passages of the lungs becoming inflamed and swollen. This inflammation, in turn,
causes coughing, wheezing, and other asthma symptoms.