How To Know The Difference Between Asthma, Allergies, Cold & Flu

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• How To Know The Difference Between Asthma,
  Allergies, Cold Flu
• Although symptoms of common cold, flu, allergies
  and asthma may appear similar, fundamentally they
  are very different. All these conditions have
  different triggers, and their symptoms also vary
  from each other. Therefore, it is critical to
  identify the condition first before starting the
  most appropriate treatment. In this article,
  well take a closer look at the common
  differences between asthma, allergies, cold, and
  flu.
• Understanding the Cause Asthma, Cold, Flu,
  Allergy
• Asthma
• Asthma is associated with the inflammation of
  bronchial tubes, which are where tiny air sacs,
  alveoli, lie. These alveoli are responsible for
  removing carbon dioxide from blood vessels and
  provide oxygen to the body. During an asthma
  attack, the air doesnt easily pass through the
  air tubes due to one of the three main reasons
• Bronchospasm a condition where the muscle
  surrounding the airways tighten.
• Inflammation the lining of the airways swells.
• Mucus production the cells lining the airways
  secrete more mucus, which is thicker than normal
  mucus.
• All these factors result in asthma symptoms such
  as difficulty in breathing and performing daily
  activities, coughing, and wheezing. Asthma
  inhalers are mostly prescribed to ease these
  conditions and provide immediate relief.
  Controller inhalers when used regularly as
  advised by your doctor can reduce the
  inflammation of the airways over time to reduce
  the symptoms and the risk of an asthma attack.

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• Sore throat
• Hacking cough, with mild to moderate chest
  discomfort
• Only temporary relief of symptoms through
  over-the-counter medicines.
• How Asthma Interacts with Allergies, Flu, and
  Cold
• Colds and flu are some of the most common
  triggers of an asthma attack.
• worsen with these viral diseases and can
  potentially lead to a life-threatening episode.
  That is because the airways become more inflamed
  when you suffer from a cold or the flu. As there
  is less air to pass through, and patients
  complain about breathing problems, which
  eventually triggers an asthma attack.
• In the case of allergies, asthma is classified
  either as allergic asthma or non-allergic asthma.
  As the name suggests, the latter occurs without
  any allergens, while the former is triggered by
  certain substances such as dust and pollen.
  Patients with seasonal allergies experience an
  increase in asthma symptoms during a certain
  period of the year. Therefore, whether you have
  allergic asthma or a non-allergic one, it is
  important to keep an inhaler handy as prescribed
  by your doctor since it can control inflammation
  in the lungs. As mentioned previously, you can
  use a controller inhaler as prescribed by your
  doctor to manage asthma and reduce your symptoms
  over time.
• Treatment Options For Asthma
• No one likes getting sick, especially if you are
  an asthmatic. Fortunately, cold and flu can be
  prevented by following good handwashing habits
  and avoiding people who have the virus. Allergy,
  on the other hand, can be prevented by avoiding
  triggers and by controlling your environment.
• If you have asthma, then it is always advised to
  keep asthma inhalers as prescribed by your doctor
  and an action plan handy. Diligence in care can
  also prevent your worst nightmare. Ask your
  doctor to provide you with an action plan, which
  may indicate an increase in the dosage or
  frequency of the medicines you already take when
  a cold worsens your asthma episode. Your doctor
  may also prescribe a preventive and a reliever
  inhaler to keep the symptoms in check.