Winally – May 5, 2020
- Asthma Disease
Asthma is one of the most common long-term respiratory diseases in adults and children all over the world. It has one in every 6-7 people. The most important symptoms are frequent coughing, shortness of breath and wheezing in the lungs. Especially if there is a cough that wakes you up at night and a cough after exercise, asthma should come to mind.
Causes of Asthma
When we look at the causes of asthma, genetics is the most important factor. Apart from obesity, airborne allergens are among the important factors. Asthma can also develop due to pollen allergy. If asthma symptoms such as itchy nose, sneezing, cold and frequent coughing occur and develop, especially in spring, pollen allergy should be suspected and examined.
How to Separate the Symptoms of Asthma and Pollen Allergy from Coronavirus?
President of the Allergy and Asthma Society Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay stated that these days, asthma patients and patients with pollen allergy are very afraid of coughing and fever, especially in those who are over 60 years old and have an underlying chronic disease, and made suggestions. prof. Dr. Akçay stated that it is useful to know some tricks in distinguishing coronavirus disease from asthma and pollen allergy symptoms. He also stated that frequent sneezing, watery eyes and runny nose in pollen allergies, sudden decrease in smell in coronavirus patients, high fever, cough and shortness of breath are at the forefront, and if there is a fever and risky contact, a coronavirus test should be done. Akçay also stated that if cough and fever develop in children with asthma, they should not be afraid immediately, especially if the parents do not have fever and cough, the chance of having a coronavirus disease in children is low. He stated that the reason for this was that the symptoms in children were mild and generally passed from parents or risky people. For this reason, he stated that it is not necessary to worry immediately and if there is someone at home who has shortness of breath, has a fever or is coughing, it would be beneficial for this person to contact the Ministry of Health.
How to Take Precautions for Pollen Allergy and Asthma?
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay stated that there are factors that trigger asthma and pollen allergy and also gave information about the triggers. prof. Dr. Akçay said, “Especially the lungs of asthma patients are very sensitive. The reason for this is both genetic reasons and allergens such as house dust mites and pollen. These allergens cause inflammation in the lungs, which we call inflammation. This causes sensitization in the lungs. For this reason, especially cigarette smoke, pungent odors, air pollution, detergent odors and the odors of cleaning agents can cause shortness of breath in asthma patients. Especially in these days when we frequently clean the house due to the coronavirus disease, bleach containing hydrogen peroxide should be used on the floors and non-perfumed detergents should be used in the laundry.”
Prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay continued his words as follows:
“Asthma patients should not stop using cortisone-containing spray drugs during this period, those with sneezing and coughing due to pollen allergy should use antihistamines and get rid of these symptoms. Putting our hands to our nose or mouth due to frequent nose-itching and sneezing can make it easier for us to catch the coronavirus.”
Allergy Vaccine Treatment in Asthma
prof. Dr. Ahmet Akçay, about allergy vaccines, said, “If many pollen allergies are detected in the skin test, especially in patients whose quality of life is impaired due to pollen allergy and who cannot get rid of drugs, molecular allergy test should be performed and real allergies should be separated from cross-reactions, and vaccine treatment against real allergies should be started. Allergy vaccine; It is one of the preferred treatment methods for house dust, mite, pollen allergy, mold and pet allergies. Allergy vaccine treatment is the most effective treatment method, especially increasing the quality of life and eliminating the need for medication.
To summarize, Prof. Dr. Important Points Emphasized by Ahmet Akçay;
Asthma is one of the most common respiratory diseases in children and adults.
Although the most important cause of asthma is genetic, allergens such as obesity, pollen allergy and house dust mite also cause this disease.
Asthma sufferers have very sensitive lungs. For this reason, it is appropriate to use bleach containing hydrogen peroxide as a cleaning material and to wash the laundry with perfume-free detergent.
In asthma patients, if cough or fever develops, they should not be worried if there is no fever in someone else at home, but if there is someone at home with fever and cough, in case of sudden odor development and shortness of breath, they should apply to the health institution and have the coronavirus test done.
