Asthma and related conditions

Asthma goes hand in hand with rhinitis, hay fever, nasal polyps and sinusitis.

Allergic rhinitis or hay fever is said to be asthma of the nose because the same three things develop which occur in an asthma attack: smooth muscle tightens, the passage lining swells and there is an increase in mucus production.

Sinusitis is an inflammation or infection in the sinuses which are cavities in the nasal passages. You usually get a headache, post nasal drip and a yellow or greenish discharge from the nose.

Nasal polyps are grape-like protrusions inside the nasal passages. The lining of the nose produces too much mucus and it collects in the membrane, eventually stretching and forming lumps which block the passages, making it difficult to breathe. People who have nasal polyps are frequently very allergic to aspirin and need to be exceptionally careful when taking it.

Because all of the above conditions block your nose, you have to breathe through your mouth. This increases your risk of asthma and chest infection. When you breathe through your nose 75% of the germs you inhale never reach your lungs because they are caught by the hairs and mucus in the nose or by the tonsils and adenoids. If you deal with your nose problems then you will also cope much better with your asthma.

Rashes

Rashes such as eczema, dermatitis or Urticaria (hives) are very common to the asthmatic. The exact reason for this is unknown but may be related to the fact that the IgE antibodies are found in the skin as well as the airways. Perhaps the same kind of immune system causes swelling and redness in both places.

Like asthma, these skin disorders do not always have a direct trigger and so avoiding the read more