Global Congress on Asthma, Allergy and Immunology November 07-08, 2018 Singapore

An allergy is an abnormal, acquired sensitivity to a given substance, including pollen, drugs, food, venom or numerous other environmental triggers. An allergy is a local or systemic inflammatory response to allergens. Often times symptoms are swelling of the nasal mucosa, itchy burning eyes, sneezing, wheezing, fullness in the ears and various skin rashes such as hives, or anaphylaxis, a potentially fatal reaction.

Immunology is a broad branch of biomedical science that covers the study of all aspects of the immune system in all organisms. It deals with, among other things, the physiological functioning of the immune system in states of both health and disease; malfunctions of the immune system in immunological disorders (autoimmune disease, hypersensitivities, immune deficiency).

As determined by the National Institutes of Health, the following is a guideline used by doctors to help determine the extent of asthma in your child. It is classified as "steps" because each child may step up or step down to different levels at any time.

The steps are as follows:

Step 1 or intermittent asthma: This group of children has symptoms no more than two times a week, do not have problems in-between flare-ups, and only have short flare-ups from a few hours to a few days. Nighttime symptoms occur less than two times a month.

Step 2 or mild persistent: This group of children has symptoms more than two times a week, but not daily, and may have activity levels affected by the flare-ups. Nighttime symptoms occur greater than two times a month, but no more than once per week.

Step 3 or moderate persistent: This group of children has symptoms every day, use their rescue medication every day, and may have activity levels affected by the flare-ups. Nighttime symptoms occur greater than one time a week.

Step 4 or severe persistent: This group of children has symptoms multiple times per day, have a decrease in their physical activity, and have frequent flare-ups. Nighttime symptoms occur frequently.

Exposure to environmental triggers or allergens can cause asthma. There are different types of environmental allergens which causes asthma where some of the allergens are dust mites, pollen, pets, mold, cockroaches and irritants.

Dust mites are tiny bugs that live in bedding, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and carpets. No matter how clean your house is, it's impossible to completely get rid of dust mites.

Grasses, trees and weeds produce pollens that travel through the air and are inhaled. They cause seasonal allergy symptoms and trigger asthma. Pollens from trees are higher in the spring, grasses in the summer and weeds in the fall. This may vary depending on weather conditions and where you live.

Allergic reactions to pets are caused by the animal's dander. Short-haired pets are not any less likely to cause a reaction than long-haired animals.

Molds are found in outdoor air and can enter your home any time you open a door or window. Any house can develop a mold problem with the right conditions. Molds like to grow on wallboard, wood, or fabrics, but they will grow any place. They thrive in damp basements and closets, bathrooms (especially showers), places where fresh food is stored, refrigerator drip trays, house plants, air conditioners, humidifiers, garbage pails, mattresses, upholstered furniture, and old foam rubber pillows.

Cockroach droppings can not only trigger allergies but can trigger and bother asthma. Since cockroaches require food and moisture to survive, you can help reduce exposure by getting rid of sources of each.

Some of the irritants like smoke, strong odors, cold air and infections will also cause asthma.

Asthma medication plays a key role in how well you control your condition. There are two main types of treatment, each geared toward a specific goal.

Controller medications are the most important because they prevent asthma attacks. When you use these drugs, your airways are less inflamed and less likely to react to triggers.

Quick-relief medications -- also called rescue medications -- relax the muscles around your airway. If you have to use a rescue medication more than twice a week, your asthma isn’t well-controlled. But people who have exercise-induced asthma may use a quick-acting med called a beta-agonist before a workout.

The right medication should allow you to live an active and normal life. If your asthma symptoms aren’t controlled, ask your doctor to help you find a different treatment that works better.

In general, there is no cure for allergies, but there are several types of medications available -- both over-the-counter and prescription -- to help ease and treat annoying symptoms like congestion and runny nose. These allergy drugs include antihistamines, decongestants, combination drugs, corticosteroids and others.

Immunotherapy in the form of allergy shots or pills under the tongue, which gradually increase your ability to tolerate allergens, are also available.

Allergies are one of the most common chronic diseases. A chronic disease lasts a long time or occurs often. An allergy occurs when the body’s immune system sees a substance as harmful and overreacts to it. The substances that cause allergic reactions are allergens. When someone has allergies, their immune system makes an antibody called immunoglobulin E (IgE). These antibodies respond to allergens.

Occupational asthma has become the most common work-related lung disease in developed countries. However, the exact number of newly diagnosed cases of asthma in adults due to occupational exposure is unknown.

Occupational asthma is caused by inhaling fumes, gases, dust or other potentially harmful substances while "on the job." Often, your symptoms are worse during the days or nights you work, improve when you have time off and start again when you go back to work.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD) is an umbrella term used to describe progressive lung diseases including emphysema, chronic bronchitis, refractory (non-reversible) asthma, and some forms of bronchiectasis. This disease is characterized by increasing breathlessness.

Many people mistake their increased breathlessness and coughing as a normal part of aging. In the early stages of the disease, you may not notice the symptoms. COPD can develop for years without noticeable shortness of breath. You begin to see the symptoms in the more developed stages of the disease and the symptoms are increased breathlessness, Frequent coughing (with and without sputum), wheezing and tightness in the chest.

There are some well-known and obvious triggers you should avoid when you have asthma —cold air, dust mites, pollen, tobacco smoke, mold, and pet dander among them. But what about your favorite candle, thunderstorms, aspirin, or even traffic? Several odd or unusual things can trigger an asthma attack. If you have asthma, it’s important to identify your own particular triggers so you can try to avoid or at least be better prepared for a potential attack.