Asthma and Allergic Airway Disease
What is Asthma and Allergic Airway Disease?
Asthma is a chronic condition that causes your airways to become inflamed and narrow. When this happens, breathing becomes difficult. You may wheeze, cough, or feel short of breath.
Allergic airway disease refers to asthma triggered by allergens like pollen, dust mites, or pet dander. Your immune system overreacts to these substances. This causes inflammation in your lungs and airways. The inflammation makes your airways sensitive and prone to tightening.
About 25 million Americans have asthma. Many cases involve allergic triggers. The good news is that asthma can be managed with the right approach. Understanding your inflammation markers helps you and your doctor create a better treatment plan.
Symptoms
- Wheezing or whistling sound when breathing
- Shortness of breath, especially during exercise
- Chest tightness or pressure
- Persistent cough, often worse at night
- Difficulty sleeping due to breathing problems
- Rapid breathing or feeling winded easily
- Fatigue during physical activity
Some people have mild symptoms that only appear during certain seasons or after exercise. Others experience daily symptoms that interfere with normal activities. Symptoms can worsen suddenly during an asthma attack.
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Causes and risk factors
Asthma develops when your airways become overly sensitive to certain triggers. Genetics play a role. If your parents have asthma or allergies, you are more likely to develop it. Environmental factors matter too. Early childhood exposure to allergens, tobacco smoke, or air pollution increases risk. Respiratory infections during childhood can also contribute.
Common triggers include pollen, mold, dust mites, pet dander, cold air, exercise, and respiratory infections. Stress and certain foods can also trigger symptoms in some people. Your body produces inflammatory molecules called leukotrienes in response to these triggers. These molecules cause your airways to swell and produce excess mucus. Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid your body uses to make leukotrienes. Higher levels may indicate increased inflammatory activity.
How it's diagnosed
Doctors diagnose asthma through breathing tests called spirometry and peak flow measurements. These tests show how well air moves through your lungs. Your doctor will also ask about your symptoms, triggers, and family history. Allergy testing can identify specific allergens that worsen your asthma.
Blood tests can reveal inflammatory markers that contribute to airway disease. Arachidonic acid levels show your capacity to produce leukotrienes, which are key inflammatory molecules in asthma. Rite Aid offers testing for arachidonic acid as an add-on to help you understand the inflammatory processes affecting your airways. This information helps your doctor tailor your treatment plan.
Treatment options
- Identify and avoid your personal triggers when possible
- Use prescribed controller medications daily to reduce inflammation
- Keep a rescue inhaler available for sudden symptoms
- Follow an anti-inflammatory diet rich in omega-3 fatty acids
- Maintain a healthy weight, as excess weight worsens symptoms
- Exercise regularly to strengthen lung capacity
- Manage stress through meditation or breathing exercises
- Consider leukotriene inhibitors if arachidonic acid levels are elevated
- Get vaccinated against flu and pneumonia
- Work with an allergist for severe or poorly controlled asthma
Need testing for Asthma and Allergic Airway Disease? Add it to your panel.
- Simple blood draw at your nearest lab
- Results in days, not weeks
- Share results with your doctor
Frequently asked questions
Asthma is a broad term for chronic airway inflammation that causes breathing problems. Allergic airway disease is a specific type of asthma triggered by allergens like pollen, dust, or pet dander. Many people with asthma have the allergic type. Both conditions involve similar symptoms and treatment approaches.
Childhood asthma sometimes improves or disappears in adulthood, though symptoms may return later in life. Adult-onset asthma is usually chronic and requires ongoing management. Even when symptoms are not present, the underlying airway sensitivity often remains. Proper treatment helps keep symptoms under control.
Arachidonic acid is a fatty acid your body uses to produce leukotrienes, which are inflammatory molecules. Leukotrienes cause airway swelling, mucus production, and muscle tightening in asthma. Elevated arachidonic acid levels suggest increased capacity for leukotriene production. Many asthma medications work by blocking this inflammatory pathway.
Common triggers include allergens like pollen and dust mites, respiratory infections, cold air, exercise, and tobacco smoke. Strong odors, air pollution, and certain medications can also trigger attacks. Emotional stress and weather changes affect some people. Identifying your personal triggers helps you avoid attacks and manage symptoms better.
Most insurance plans cover standard lung function tests and office visits for asthma diagnosis. Blood tests for inflammatory markers like arachidonic acid may require separate coverage or out-of-pocket payment. Rite Aid offers affordable testing options that do not require insurance. Check with your insurance provider for specific coverage details.
Yes, an anti-inflammatory diet may help reduce asthma symptoms. Foods rich in omega-3 fatty acids like salmon and flaxseed can help balance inflammatory pathways. Fresh fruits and vegetables provide antioxidants that protect your airways. Avoiding processed foods and common allergens may also improve symptoms in some people.
Testing frequency depends on your symptom severity and treatment plan. Many people benefit from annual testing to track inflammatory markers. If you are starting new medications or making lifestyle changes, testing every 3 to 6 months helps monitor progress. Your doctor can recommend a testing schedule based on your individual needs.
Exercise can trigger asthma symptoms in many people, a condition called exercise-induced bronchoconstriction. However, regular physical activity actually strengthens your lungs and improves overall asthma control. Using your rescue inhaler before exercise often prevents symptoms. Swimming is particularly beneficial because the warm, humid air is less irritating to airways.
Leukotriene inhibitors are medications that block the production or action of leukotrienes, inflammatory molecules that worsen asthma. Common examples include montelukast and zafirlukast. These medications are especially helpful for people with allergic asthma or elevated arachidonic acid levels. They reduce inflammation, mucus production, and airway tightening.
See a doctor if you experience frequent shortness of breath, wheezing, or nighttime coughing. Seek immediate care if your rescue inhaler stops working or you have severe difficulty breathing. Regular check-ups are important even when symptoms are controlled. Your doctor can adjust medications and monitor your lung function over time.