Specialist near Hoffman Estates IL discusses common adult asthma triggers

While asthma is the leading cause of chronic illness among children, you can develop asthmatic symptoms well into adulthood. It’s estimated that more than 30 percent of adult-onset asthma sufferers have allergies to blame for their troubling symptoms.

Children with allergies can develop asthma over time because their bodies may react differently to the allergen or trigger.

Asthma symptoms include:

• Cough
• Chest tightness
• Wheezing
• Labored breathing

Some types of triggers are more likely to produce asthma symptoms than others. For example, cat allergies are associated with heightened risk of developing adult-onset asthma. People with cat allergies are hypersensitive to proteins found in their furry friend’s saliva, urine, and dried skin flakes (dander). Dogs and other feathered or furry animals also produce the dander responsible for symptoms

Other common triggers include:

• Molds
• Smoke
• Dust mites
• Feather bedding
• Pollen

Stress, exercise, and exposure to cold, dry air are among the environmental and lifestyle factors known to trigger asthmatic symptoms. Strong odors, fumes, and air pollution may aggravate asthma. Common medications such as aspirin and ibuprofen can cause asthma or make symptoms worse, as can viral and bacterial infections such as the common cold.

Dr. Noga Askenazi and the staff will determine the cause of your symptoms. With an accurate diagnosis in hand, you can take steps to avoid the trigger. Control medications and emergency inhalers may be prescribed.

Still other conditions such as sinusitis can produce asthma-like symptoms and often co-exist with asthma. Advanced Allergy & Asthma Associates and Food Allergy Center of Illinois offers tests to assess how well your lungs are functioning. These tests help determine the true nature of your breathing troubles, and may be used to diagnose chronic bronchitis, COPD, emphysema, and other respiratory disorders.

A child’s symptoms may flare and subside, only to reappear later in life. Asthma symptoms among adults are typically persistent and often require ongoing, consistent management for relief. Untreated asthma can permanently damage your airways and affect how you breathe. Asthma attacks are responsible for almost 2 million emergency room visits annually.

Adult asthma triggers can be avoided, but require the expertise of specialists near Hoffman Estates IL. Schedule an appointment at one of 3 conveniently located offices in Elgin and Crystal Lake. Call (847) 888-8802.

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