How do allergies cause shortness of breath

With your provider's help, you can create an asthma or allergy management plan to help keep you feeling healthy, active and well controlled. This November your donation goes even further to improve lung health and defeat lung cancer.

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Select your location to view local American Lung Association events and news near you. Our service is free and we are here to help you. Don't Fear Spring Allergies and Asthma. Back to Each Breath Blog. Check your outdoor air quality. Every day. If wheezing accompanies any of the following, it could indicate anaphylactic shock :. Wheezing is usually a response to allergens, though it can stem from an underlying condition, such as an infection.

It may also be a sign of other underlying health conditions, including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, known as COPD, or heart disease. If a person has no history of allergies or asthma, wheezing may be a cause for concern. People should speak to the doctor if they:. Next, they test lung function by measuring how much air moves in and out when a person breathes. The doctor may administer a drug called a bronchodilator to open up the airways and help with their assessment.

If test results point to asthma, the doctor will ask how often the symptoms occur to gauge the severity of the condition. The best approach depends on the allergen, which may include :. Most people with asthma respond best to a combination of two types of treatment.

These are:. When wheezing is part of anaphylactic shock, the person needs emergency treatment, so someone should contact or the local emergency number. If the person has a known allergy, they may have an adrenaline auto-injector.

Before first responders arrive, it is important to :. If the injection is not available, a first responder will give an adrenaline shot when they arrive. A variety of factors may cause allergic wheezing, and tests can determine which is responsible and what is likely the best approach to treatment.

This type of severe allergic reaction may have symptoms such as:. Untreated anaphylaxis can be life-threatening. It may cause problems such as an abnormal heart rate, weakness, low blood pressure, rapid pulse, cardiac arrest, and pulmonary arrest. However, you may be able to make them less frequent by changing your environment.

Eating a balanced diet with lots of fresh fruits and vegetables may help improve asthma symptoms. Learn more here about the best foods to eat for…. Asthma triggers are things that can make your asthma symptoms flare up. If you have severe asthma, you're at a higher risk for an asthma attack.

Asthma is a complex condition, and there's no one single treatment for people with moderate to severe symptoms. Consider the options listed in this…. Severe asthma affects everyone differently, and it can be difficult to get under control.

But certain lifestyle changes can make a big difference…. If you have allergic asthma, you may benefit from seeing a specialist for treatment. Learn more about the type of specialists that treat allergic…. Allergic asthma symptoms can interfere with your daily life, especially if you experience them often. Take this assessment to see the impact of….

Itchy eyes that occur along with your breathing difficulties are often a sign that an environmental allergen is involved. If allergy symptoms go untreated, you might develop a severe, life-threatening reaction called anaphylaxis. Allergies might also be associated with asthma or other breathing disorders. The symptoms of asthma and breathing allergies often overlap, so you might need testing to determine the exact source of your breathing difficulties. Allergens are also a common trigger for asthma episodes.

This happens when the allergen moves from your nose and throat down to your lungs and sets off an asthma attack. In fact, allergic asthma is the most common type of asthma, and most people with asthma have at least one breathing allergy as well.

Signs that your breathing difficulties might be related to asthma and not just a result of allergies include coughing, shortness of breath, chest tightening and wheezing, which is characterized by a whistling sound when you breathe. Symptoms of asthma range from mild to severe, and the milder forms are easy to confuse with allergies.