Allergy Induced Asthma

Scientists tackle NZ food allergy epidemic

The Malaghan Institute of Medical Research has been given the green light to launch a new food allergy research platform, with the Health Research Council of New Zealand (HRC) funding two project grants totalling $2.4 million, to Professor's Graham Le Gros and Franca Ronchese.

The prevalence of allergic disease in this country is among the highest in the world, with 1 in 5 New Zealanders affected by food allergy, asthma, eczema or hay fever.

"For parents of young children, asthma and allergy are of major concern," said Director of Research Prof Graham Le Gros. "Food allergies are especially relevant because of their impact on a child's quality of life."

"Parents of allergic children have a lot to consider when it comes to sending their child to preschool and school, birthday parties or playdates, because of the potential risks of exposing their child to allergy-inducing foods," says Prof Le Gros.

Food-induced allergic reactions can range from mild discomfort to serious and life threatening events, with anaphylaxis (the rapid onset of breathing difficulties, skin reactions, vomiting) the most severe form of food allergy.

"Until we know why some children react to particular foods in this way, we cannot begin to address how best to treat them," says Prof Le Gros. "Despite extensive research into the potential epidemiological, genetic or clinical associations of allergic disease, little progress has been made in this area."

Food allergies occur when the immune system, which normally serves to protect us against parasites, viruses and bacteria, mounts an attack on harmless food components such as proteins. The particular proteins that trigger this immune response are called allergens.

Prof Le Gros and colleagues believe that the answer to treating food allergy lies in understanding how these foods set off the allergic immune response, and why it only happens in some individuals.

"There are few treatment options for individuals with allergic disease," says Prof Le Gros.

"Patients are advised to avoid the allergen (especially in the case of foods) and are offered the drugs corticosteroids, which act by suppressing all immune responses regardless of whether they are beneficial or harmful."

Desensitisation therapy, where a patient is gradually exposed to an allergen in a controlled manner to get their immune system used to seeing it, is currently the only curative option available, however, it is not always effective and the mechanism by which it acts is not well understood.

Understanding Allergy Induced Asthma

Allergy induced asthma is one of the most common forms of asthma that affects about 90% of people who suffer from this condition. In case of an allergic reaction, the body produces histamines that may cause inflammation and irritation while trying to get rid of the irritant, but when it comes to asthma this reaction reaches the airways making it hard for the person to breathe.

It is believed that this affliction is directly connected to over exposure to irritants, another consequence of modern live. Allergy induced asthma is more likely to affect low-income individuals, especially children (the rate of extrinsic asthma is greater among African-Americans and Hispanics) since the chance of exposure to allergens such as cockroach, rat droppings or chemicals is higher.

An asthma diagnosis is established after testing one’s breathing capacity using a peak flow meter. The allergens that trigger the asthma are identified after another series of tests.

The most common allergens are: pollen, fungi, dust mites, cigarette smoke, pet dander and pest feces. In treating allergy induced asthma it is advised to avoid its triggers: avoid going out early in the morning during summer because that’s when plants release their pollen, vacuum frequently including the bedding, avoid leaving your laundry to dry outside and so on.

Inhalers are the most frequent treatment for asthma. There are devices formed out of two parts: the canister and a mouthpiece. The canister contains the medication and consists of a metering dose valve, an actuating stem and aerosol propellant. The correct procedure for using an inhaler is to start by fully exhaling, place the mouth-piece into the mouth, and after starting to inhale at a moderate rate, depress the canister and release the medicine.

Steroids are also used in treating allergy induced asthma, but unfortunately they have many side effects and you should be cautious if you are using them. The most widespread long-term treatment medicines are also known as preventive medications like corticosteroids and leukotriene.

Many herbs, plants and supplements are used as alternative therapy. However, they may interfere with the prescribed treatment so you should consult your doctor before taking them.

Left untreated, allergic asthma can cause permanent lung damage and can even lead to death – about 5000 people die from asthma every year in the USA – but with proper treatment and monitoring the symptoms can be kept under control enabling the sufferer to live a normal life.

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