When Allergies and Asthma Attack: Why You Need an Immunologist

If you’ve ever suffered from allergies or asthma, then you know how difficult it can be to breathe properly at times. These conditions are frequently triggered by environmental factors such as mold and pollen. However, there could also be other underlying causes. That’s where an immunologist comes in. An immunologist is a medical professional who specializes in the immune system and its role in protecting against infections and diseases. Think of the immune system as a self-defense system that detects foreign substances, like germs or allergens, and targets them before they can cause harm. So what does this mean for you? If you have allergies or asthma, an immunologist could help you identify the triggers of your condition and take the necessary steps to avoid them in the future. With their help, your symptoms should lessen over time as well. The sooner you seek out an immunologist in Portland when it attacks, the better your outlook will be afterward.

What Is a Respiratory Immunologist?

First, it’s important to distinguish between an allergist and an immunologist. An allergist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. An immunologist, on the other hand, is a specialist who also specializes in the immune system. However, both experts often treat allergies and asthma as part of their medical practice. An allergist is a medical doctor who specializes in the diagnosis and treatment of allergies. However, they are often also trained in immunology. This means they can perform both types of exams but are most well-suited to treating allergies. An immunologist is a medical doctor who specializes in the immune system. They are often trained in allergy and immunology, so they can treat both allergies and asthma.

When Allergies and Asthma Attack: The Cause and Role of the Respiratory System

Your respiratory system is your breathing system. It includes your nose, mouth, throat, and chest, as well as the lungs inside which you breathe. Your respiratory system is incredibly important for your health. It’s responsible for getting oxygen into your blood and removing carbon dioxide from your blood. It’s also the gateway for nutrients and waste products to enter your body. Allergies and asthma are both conditions that influence the respiratory system. Allergies occur when your immune system wrongly reacts to harmless substances. The substances’ antibodies can then trigger allergic symptoms like coughing, chest pain, or difficulty breathing. The role of the respiratory system in asthma is more complex. For one thing, asthma is more than just an allergy. According to the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases, asthma is an “impaired condition of the airway that occurs when the airway muscle’s protective function is weakened.” Therefore, it also involves your immune system.

Different Types of Allergens and Their Effects on the Respiratory System

As mentioned earlier, allergies are a reaction by the immune system to harmless substances. Different allergens trigger different allergic reactions in people. Therefore, certain allergies affect people differently. And even within the same individual, allergies can have different effects on different parts of the body. Food allergies are caused by your immune system reacting to proteins in food. One result of a food allergy is that your body reacts to other foods as well. Symptoms might include bloating, nausea, or hives. Insect allergies are caused for the most part by a reaction to the insect’s venom. In most cases, the insect is a bee, wasp, or tick. Symptoms include swelling, itching, and a red rash. Allergies to pollen are different from pollen allergies to plant pollen. In pollen allergies, the cause is fungi. Symptoms include sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, and itchy throat.

How an Immunologist Diagnoses and Treats Allergies and Asthma

There are many different ways to diagnose allergies and asthma. One of the most common methods is called a complete physical exam. During this exam, your doctor will take a detailed history of your medical history and examine your body. If you have asthma, your doctor may also perform a lung function test and listen to your lungs with a stethoscope to check for inflammation. Your doctor will also likely perform a blood test to check for certain antibodies and other markers of allergies or asthma. This is important because, while they can be treated, they are not always present. An immunologist will most likely perform additional tests to look at your immune system and its role in protecting you against infections and diseases. Your doctor may also send a sample of your gut bacteria for testing since your immune system is also influenced by bacteria.

Conclusion

If you’re suffering from allergies or asthma, an immunologist can help you identify the triggers and take steps to prevent them in the future. They can also help you gain a better understanding of your condition and how to manage it. The sooner you seek out an immunologist when it attacks, the better your outlook will be afterward.