Diagnosis and Treatment
The doctor can review the patient's medical history, the medications they are currently taking, and their symptoms. They may also perform a physical exam and ask the patient to undergo different tests, depending on their symptoms. This is common when evaluating both allergies and asthma. The main tests may include blood and skin tests, especially for allergies (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024). A lung function test, spirometry, or X-ray may be used for asthma diagnosis (Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, n.d.-b). Additionally, a health specialist may ask the person to keep a diary of symptoms and certain triggers, depending on the type of allergy or asthma. The doctor can ask additional questions to better understand the type of allergy or asthma and possible triggers, so the patient should be prepared to answer. It may also be useful to prepare certain questions for the doctor (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024).
The main aspects of treatment include avoiding allergens and taking medications, which can come in various forms. Immunotherapy can also be useful for some types of allergies because it helps lower the immune system's reactions to allergens. In severe allergic cases, such as anaphylaxis, emergency epinephrine can be administered before emergency treatment (Mayo Clinic Staff, 2024). There are different types of asthma as well as degrees of severity. Some allergy treatments, such as immunotherapy, can also be beneficial for asthma. Quick-relief medications are used when symptoms occur. They can relieve asthma symptoms but do not treat the underlying airway inflammation. Bronchodilators may be prescribed for exercise-induced asthma. Long-term control medications are used on a daily basis. These types of medications help control airway inflammation. However, even if the symptoms decrease or do not occur for some time, the person may still need to take long-term control medications (American College of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology, n.d.).