Can allergies cause bronchitis?
The climate in Arizona means allergens like dust mites, pollen or pollution are present all year round, however, you should be extra cautious about Phoenix allergies especially in springtime, when weed, grass, or tree pollination is in full force. Sneezing, coughing, or itchy, watery eyes are just some of the most common symptoms, but leaving allergies untreated can result in respiratory infections or pneumonia. If you are wondering whether can allergies cause bronchitis, the answer is that exposure to allergy triggers, especially the seasonal ones may cause it.
Keep reading below to find out everything you need to know about allergic bronchitis, its symptoms, and its connection to allergies.
WHAT IS ALLERGIC BRONCHITIS?
Bronchitis is caused by an inflammation of the windpipe and airways within the lungs and allergic bronchitis occurs when someone has severe allergies that cause a bronchial immune system reaction. Simply put, allergic bronchitis involves inflammation of the bronchi caused by an allergen.
They will review the medical history of the individual with suspected allergic bronchitis, as well as perform a physical exam, usually asking questions to determine how long symptoms have been occurring.
The physician may use a chest X-ray to rule out some other causes of breathing problems, such as pneumonia and they may request blood tests to determine if there is any infection present. The patient may also receive a pulmonary function test, which involves blowing into a spirometer, a device that measures how much air a person can exhale, and how quickly.
Causes
Allergic bronchitis can be caused by different airway irritants like pollen, dust, mould, animal dander, and tobacco smoke but also genetic factors such as heredity. If you have asthma or allergies, your risk for chronic bronchitis is higher, and living in an area with high levels of pollution can increase your risk.
SYMPTOMS
Shortness of breath
This is one of the main symptoms that can get worse over time and it usually happens during exercise or similar activities. If complications occur, you may experience chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or emphysema.
Wheezing sound
Wheezing-a high-pitched sound made by air coming through the narrow airways of the bronchial tubes.
Cough
The key symptom of allergic bronchitis is a cough that can last up until three months and its intensity differs from person to person. It is usually a dry cough that worsens at night and can lead to sleepless nights due to it being constant.
Other possible symptoms might include sore throat, headaches, fatigue, chest pain, or bluish-grey skin color.
Chronic bronchitis can last for several weeks to months. It might come back every year and is one of the more common conditions that can contribute to chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).
Treating Bronchitis
Seeing a board-certified allergist specialist can help you get proper diagnosis and treatment at the early stages of your symptoms, although there are times when bronchitis can go away on its own without treatment.
A physician may recommend using a humidifier or getting over-the-counter medications to improve your condition and manage your symptoms, as treatment of chronic bronchitis is more about managing symptoms and improving your breathing. Among the things your doctor might prescribe can be steroids and
limiting your exposure to allergens or avoiding it altogether could be one of the most efficient ways to help prevent chronic bronchitis. One of the things you can start doing is: to quit smoking, wear a mask if you are in contact with allergens, stay in a well-ventilated area at all times, wash bed linens and blankets weekly in allergy-free detergents, and see a board-certified allergist to have allergy shots or any other type of medications that can help with your symptoms. As with all other chronic conditions, it is important to see a doctor as soon as possible – the quicker you get diagnosed and get an adequate treatment plan, the better.
CONCLUSION
If you live in Arizona, you might already be familiar with seasonal allergies, that can last all year round due to the continuous blooming season. Leaving allergies untreated can result in respiratory infections like bronchitis or pneumonia.
As we’ve seen above, preventing allergic bronchitis means avoiding triggers and managing any other underlying allergy conditions by seeing a specialist as soon as possible. Our allergy associates are here to help you get a quick diagnosis and appropriate treatment for your condition and keep your symptoms in check.
Call us today for more information, our board-certified allergist specialists are here to offer guidance in getting tested or offering the appropriate treatment!
