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Asthma
and Comorbid Conditions
Did
you know that certain conditions can make your asthma worse
and harder to control? These conditions are called co-morbid
conditions and treatment of these conditions may improve asthma
management.
- Allergic Bronchopulmonary
Aspergillosis is caused by a fungus that is commonly
found growing on dead leaves , stored grain , compost piles
, or in other decaying vegetation. You can also find this
fungus growing in your nose. Allergic Bronchopulmonary Aspergillosis
is an allergy to the fungus which can trigger a more severe
asthma episode. A doctor can use a simple skin prick test
to help diagnosis Aspergillosis.
- Gastroesophageal
Reflux Disease (or GERD) is when a muscle at
the end of your esophagus (at the back of your mouth) does
not close properly. This allows stomach contents to leak back
, or reflux , into the esophagus and irritate it. This reflux
during sleep can contribute to nocturnal asthma.
- Obesity
means having too much body fat. Obesity has been associated
with more severe symptoms and airway constriction in adults
and children. The experts suggest advising patients who are
obese of overweight to lose weight in order to improve asthma
control and improve overall health.
- Obstructive
Sleep Apnea is a common disorder where breathing
is interrupted at night due to shallow breaths or breathing
pauses. This disorder is commonly mistaken for asthma but
many people may have both conditions.
- Rhinitis/Sinusitis
is the inflammations of the nose and sinuses
respectively. It is very important for doctors and patients
to recognize the connection between the upper and lower airways.
Treatment of rhinitis and sinusitis result in less airway
inflammation and irritation.
- Stress , Depression
, and Psychosocial Factors in Asthma can seemingly
contribute to the worse asthma symptoms. The role of stress
and depression in asthma hasn't clearly been defined yet ,
but it seems that poor asthma control leads to stress and
depression and that depression increases the negative impact
of asthma.
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