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Doctor insights on: Allergies Asthma Make Viral Illnesses

Probably: Any condition or conditions which can affect your immune system can leave you open to infections like flu, or other viral or bacterial infections. ...Read more

Not really.: People with allergies and asthma are more prone to get sinus infections, ear infections and occasionally pneumonia. Asthma or allergies do not make you particularly prone for viral infections. People with allergies do have some changes in their immune system, but clinically we do not see more viral infections in this group of people. ...Read more

Typically: Tendencies toward allergies and other immunologic diseases definitely run in families, but there's a lot of variation. Allergic parents won't necessarily have allergic kids (70% risk if both parents are allergic), and non allergic parents might have allergic kids. Only an allergic tendency, not necessarily specific allergies, is passed on; kids might not have the same allergies as their parents. ...Read more

See allergist/immuno: Your condition is complex and I would urge you to consult an allergist/immunologist to evaluate both your allergic and immune status. If there is a medical school near you, consider getting an appt with Immunology dept. ...Read more

No: It makes an interesting hypothesis but there is no evidence to prove it. People with autoimmune disorders can develop lung disease that are often misdiagnosed as asthma. Check this out: http://www.Dailymail.Co.Uk/news/article-2032695/venus-williams-speaks-sjogrens-syndrome-forced-us-open.Html venus williams was diagnosed with "asthma" previously that turned out to be something else. ...Read more

Osteoporosis: Your weight is ideal but not osteoporosis, have yourself examined for any other secondary reason for osteoporosis and get it treated. ...Read more

Interesting: Sounds like you have had a good workup but someone is "missing the forest for the trees" so to speak. I would suggest that you gather all the info you have given me and make an appointment with a dermatologist and/or an allergist at a local medical university for a second opinion. Your medical history leads me to think of an allergic basis for the rash. ...Read more

Have Meds handy: I would suggest you have all your inhalers and allergy meds with you. Visit your doc prior to your trip to make sure you have everything you might need. Do not check in your prescriptions. ...Read more

Sometimes.: Allergies are common triggers for people with asthma, but usually occur by themselves. ...Read more

Asthma and allergies: If you get desensitised to the allergens, then it is possible to overcome allergies.But asthma can always return sometimes years later.You can go years without asthma, than it may come back if there is a trigger. ...Read more

One causes the other: The two walk together. Asthma commonly is caused by allergies affecting the lower airways - the bronchial tubes tighten, become swollen and become congested with excess mucus. Asthma can also be triggered by other things, such as exercise, smoke, viruses etc., but by controlling allergies, asthma and asthmatic reactions are much less likely to occur. ...Read more

Hard to answer: I am guessing you concern about pollution, different tress and plants (hay fever types) and hot or cold temperatures. Its hard to answer without specifics. If you triggers are indoor types like animal dander, dust mites, etc , moving to another part of the country may not help. Talk this over with your physician. Good luck. ...Read more

Reason...: Unfortunately, allergies can occur to any person at any age. You don't need to have asthma to suffer from allergies. There are good treatments available, however, so see your doctor. ...Read more

Possibly...: ...But not an over-the-counter antihistamine. A leukotriene inhibitor such as montelucast (singulair) is more effective against asthma. ...Read more

None: All cats and dogs produce allergen, there are really no "hypoallergic" pets. Individual animals, however, may produce less allergens than others. The problem is, that you can't tell ahead of time. ...Read more

None really: If you have a specific allergy to dogs and/or cats, the best advice is not to have one. There is a misconception that dogs with hair that don't shed are "hypo-allergenic; however, the allergen comes from the animal's salivary glands. The pets clean themselves by licking and the allergen gets on there hair, fur, & skin. This is also why a reaction is worse when the pet licks you. ...Read more

Yes: Seasonal pollenosis (the spring time pollen season) can be a trigger for asthma as well seasonal rhinitis and conjunctivitis. ...Read more

Yes: Yes, seasonal allergies can definitely make your asthma worse, especially if you have IgE or allergic induced asthma. Make sure your allergies and asthma are both well controlled with daily nasal sprays and inhaled sprays. Maximizing control of both upper and lower airways will keep you from progressing to a full blown exacerbation. See Allergist for further workup and evaluation. ...Read more

Yes: Allergies and exercise are 2 of the most common triggers for exacerbation of asthma symptoms. If your asthma is not well controlled and you have allergies, treatment of the allergies is an important part of asthma therapy. If exercise is making your breathing worse it doesn't mean you can't do it. It suggests that your asthma is not well controlled and this should be discussed with your doctor. ...Read more

Usually not: Look for another cause -- or forget the sed rate. It's often done wrong, and even a true elevation often means exactly nothing. If a person appears well otherwise, there's little to be gained and much time and money to be wasted by trying to find the cause of a high sed rate. ...Read more