Medical, Asthma and antihistamines

Asthma and antihistamines

Author	Message
Howard Polons #1 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines My wife has a mild case of asthma, but feels it much more in the late summer/early fall as her allergies start to act up with the pollens going bananas. Her worst symptoms from the asthma are coughing, wheezing, and the feeling that someone is sitting on her chest and not allowing any air to get to her lungs, i.e., she feels like she's drowning. For the asthmatic conditions (at least for the coughing), she inhales Intal when needed (which she prefers to avoid altogether despite the fact that the drug is relatively innocuous. But for the allergies, we're at a loss, since most allergy preparations warn against taking them if you have asthma. I assume the warnings have to do with the fact that the antihistamines tend to dry you out and asthma sufferers need as much moisture in their throat and lungs as possible (within reason). ANy thoughts out there on solutions? Howard
Sat, 09 Mar 1996 04:28:10 GMT

George Cla #2 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Quote: >My wife has a mild case of asthma, but feels it much more in the late >summer/early fall as her allergies start to act up with the pollens Since her allergies have a seasonal variation they can perhaps be treated with allergy injections. Injections are less effective in allergies that do not show a seasonal component. Asthma that starts before puberty is usually associated with allergies, and that's another indication for allergy injections. Asthma that starts after puberty rarely has anything to do with allergies. BTW, 10 percent of Americans have asthma, and they don't even know it, so it's a very common ailment.l
Sat, 09 Mar 1996 09:03:51 GMT

Steve Dy #3 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Quote: >For the asthmatic conditions (at least for the coughing), she inhales >Intal when needed (which she prefers to avoid altogether despite the >fact that the drug is relatively innocuous. She shouldn't take Intal when needed; she needs to take it _regularly_ _before_ she needs it, for Intal to have much of an effect at all. The drug works to prevent the degranulation of mast cells which release their inflammatory substances in response to allergens. If she's already experiencing the effects of exposure to allergens, inhaling Intal only then is like putting a lock on the door after your valuables have been robbed. Quote: >But for the allergies, we're at a loss, since most allergy preparations >warn against taking them if you have asthma. I assume the warnings >have to do with the fact that the antihistamines tend to dry you out >and asthma sufferers need as much moisture in their throat and lungs as >possible (within reason). ANy thoughts out there on solutions? If she's taking Intal, she must be seeing a doctor (since it's a prescription drug), and she should discuss this with her doctor. Antihistamines themselves aren't very useful in asthma (I know you didn't suggest this), because the primary problem is asthma isn't histamine. However, if she's got other associated allergic symptoms (itchy eyes, sneezing, runny nose), antihistamines might be useful. Antihistamines aren't absolutely contraindicated in asthma; it's just as you suggest--the drying effect most of them have can cause phlegm to become more viscous and aggravate the condition if taken indiscriminately. Some antihistamines are less drying than others. The new non-sedating antihistamine loratidine (Claritin) has few anticholinergic effects. -- Steve Dyer
Sat, 09 Mar 1996 08:43:32 GMT

#4 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines
Fri, 19 Jun 1992 00:00:00 GMT

hcorb.. #5 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Thank you to those who took the time to answer my question about allergy shots. Evidently, allergens introduced through the respiratory system will cause IgE production, whereas through the {filter}, the normal IgM -> IgG response [though I wonder about hives from skin contact?. My guess would be that once originally sensitized, IgE (which promotes histamine production, mucus and swelling) still wins]. The idea of allergy shots is to introduce the allergen in a way as to boost the IgG response, which can be swifter and stronger, and not cause all the {filter} side effects one has from histamines. How does IgE not respond, though? Perhaps the IgG clears the allergen more effectively, though not perfectly. I have had people tell me that the shots work from reducing their symptoms considerably to not working at all (though in the latter case, it was hearsay, if certainly possible). ABout asthmatics and OTC antihistamines, for many years I heeded the warnings on the back, until I asked my doctor one day and he suggested I try them to see if they would help (precisely the thickening of mucus problem). They have never seemed to make my asthma worse, and can stave it off a little when I know that I will be in contact with allergens. Of course, there are usually other side effects. In addition, my opinion (not a doctor's) is that people with allergies should drink a LOT of water during and after exposure. First, mouth breathing dehydrates you fast, and second, poeple don't usually let their dogs and cats in the bathroom. :) No, I just think it helps clear the {filter} faster. it makes me feel better, anyhow. My $0.02. Heather P.S. Anti-histamines are good on long flights, too. (Don't drink that {filter}y Mary though!) They put you to sleep, and if your ears normally get blocked or you have sinus problems, it can alleviate them.
Sat, 09 Mar 1996 15:52:56 GMT

#6 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines
Fri, 19 Jun 1992 00:00:00 GMT

Alan Hard #7 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Quote: > Asthma that starts after puberty rarely has anything to do with > allergies. Gee, I didn't realize that I was such a rarity! I developed asthma after puberty, and it's due strictly to an allergy to animal dander. Avoid dogs, no asthma (except for the occasional cold air wheeze). I never had this problem as a child, but developed it around the age of 21. -Alan Harder The above commentary, which does not even represent the opinion of the American Mathematical Society, is sold by weight, not by volume. Some settling of the contents may have occurred during shipping.
Sat, 09 Mar 1996 23:12:17 GMT

Howard Polons #8 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Many thanks to all who responded to my inquiry, both here and directly by email. I've been educated and my wife will be shortly. Okay, okay, I'll tell her to get onto Intal before the problem occurs, but she would prefer to not use anything at all, and so waits and hopes that it wont be needed. So far this season, she's gotten away with it, but I wanna open the windows and let, for me, what is clean air, in. Here's praying for the first frost. :) -- Howard
Sun, 10 Mar 1996 03:10:07 GMT

Sean Ian Malo #9 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Quote: > My wife has a mild case of asthma, but feels it much more in the late > summer/early fall as her allergies start to act up with the pollens > going bananas. Her worst symptoms from the asthma are coughing, wheezing, > and the feeling that someone is sitting on her chest and not allowing any > air to get to her lungs, i.e., she feels like she's drowning. > For the asthmatic conditions (at least for the coughing), she inhales > Intal when needed (which she prefers to avoid altogether despite the > fact that the drug is relatively innocuous. But for the allergies, > we're at a loss, since most allergy preparations warn against > taking them if you have asthma. > I assume the warnings have to do with the fact that the > antihistamines tend to dry you out and asthma sufferers need as > much moisture in their throat and lungs as possible (within > reason). ANy thoughts out there on solutions? > Howard Your wife seems to be suffering from a hypersensitivity reaction which exacerbates her asthma symptoms. The reason the antihistamines warn against astmatic's usage is the H1 antihistamines do little to counteract the immediate bronchoconstriction. They do well to prevent the delayed symptoms produced by arachidonic acid metabolism. She may try cromilyn sodium to stabiliize the mast cells releasing the histamine or Albuterol inhalent. At any rate since the symptoms are seasonal, the doctor should be able to prescribe some help. Sean Malone UVa School of Medicine -- ********************************************************************** SSSSS IIIII M M Sean Malone S I MM MM UVa School of Medicine **
Sun, 10 Mar 1996 02:22:56 GMT

Andrea M Free-Kwiatkows #10 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines : I assume the warnings have to do with the fact that the : antihistamines tend to dry you out and asthma sufferers need as : much moisture in their throat and lungs as possible (within : reason). ANy thoughts out there on solutions? : Howard The other reason why asthmatics shouldn't take antihistamines is that they stagnate the cilia. It is important to keep the cilia beating properly to help push out mucus that contains debris such as allergens, viruses, bacteria, etc. Andrea Kwiatkowski
Sat, 09 Mar 1996 20:35:07 GMT

Annick Anssel #11 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Quote: >Asthma that starts before puberty is usually associated with allergies, >and that's another indication for allergy injections. Asthma that >starts after puberty rarely has anything to do with allergies. I don't know what you mean by this! Isn't asthma a symptom of allergies? if not, then what is it?
Sun, 10 Mar 1996 07:27:36 GMT

Ted Grus #12 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Quote: >>Asthma that starts before puberty is usually associated with allergies, >>and that's another indication for allergy injections. Asthma that >>starts after puberty rarely has anything to do with allergies. >I don't know what you mean by this! Isn't asthma a symptom of allergies? >if not, then what is it? Some people have asthma that is not at all related to substances. This is known as "intrinsic" asthma, in contrast to allergy-related "extrinsic" forms. As an example, triggers for my asthma are "exercise" and cold winter air, and not any substances. My asthma didn't begin until I was in my fifties. . -- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- Ted Grusec - Communications Research Centre (CRC), Ottawa, Ont., Canada
Sun, 10 Mar 1996 08:55:57 GMT

John R. Moo #13 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Quote: >: I assume the warnings have to do with the fact that the >: antihistamines tend to dry you out and asthma sufferers need as >: much moisture in their throat and lungs as possible (within >: reason). ANy thoughts out there on solutions? >: Howard >The other reason why asthmatics shouldn't take antihistamines is that they >stagnate the cilia. It is important to keep the cilia beating properly to >help push out mucus that contains debris such as allergens, viruses, >bacteria, etc. Is this true of tricyclic antidepressants in small doses (they are also strongly antihistaminic - at least some of them). -- DISCLAIMER: These views are mine alone, and do not reflect my employer's! John Moore 7525 Clearwater Pkwy, Scottsdale, AZ 85253 USA (602-951-9326) - - A conservative is a liberal who has been mugged by reality! - - - - Support ALL of the bill of rights, INCLUDING the 2nd amendment! - -
Mon, 11 Mar 1996 10:51:51 GMT

amy uhrba #14 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines Quote: >> Asthma that starts after puberty rarely has anything to do with >> allergies. >Gee, I didn't realize that I was such a rarity! I developed asthma >after puberty, and it's due strictly to an allergy to animal dander. >Avoid dogs, no asthma (except for the occasional cold air wheeze). I >never had this problem as a child, but developed it around the age of >21. Me too, only in response to animal dander!! I wasn't even exposed to cats, no less allergic, until age 21! The asthma part started around age 30. -Amy
Mon, 11 Mar 1996 19:43:49 GMT

Mark Feblowi #15 / 16	Asthma and antihistamines >: I assume the warnings have to do with the fact that the >: antihistamines tend to dry you out and asthma sufferers need as >: much moisture in their throat and lungs as possible (within >: reason). ANy thoughts out there on solutions? >: Howard >The other reason why asthmatics shouldn't take antihistamines is that they >stagnate the cilia. It is important to keep the cilia beating properly to >help push out mucus that contains debris such as allergens, viruses, >bacteria, etc. The jury still seems to be out on this one. My allergists believe that that is "old-think", and believe, at least in the case of allergic asthma, that the antihistamines can act to reduce the production of some of the excess bronchial mucus. That seems to be true for me. -- ------------------------------------------------------------------------- Mark Feblowitz, GTE Laboratories Inc., 40 Sylvan Rd. Waltham, MA 02254
Sun, 17 Mar 1996 07:48:39 GMT

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