Dignity Health | St. Rose Dominican | Reach | Spring 2019

StRoseHospitals.org  7 The asthma-allergy connection Spirometry: This test measures air flow in your lungs—how much air you can breathe in and how fast you can blow it out. Physical exam: Your doctor will probably ask questions about your symptoms and check your breathing. Your doctor may also recommend: ●  ● Allergy testing to see what allergens might affect you ●  ● A test to check how sensitive your airways are ●  ● Tests to see if other medical problems, such as sleep apnea, are causing your asthma symptoms Testing for asthma ●  ● Animal dander ●  ● Cockroaches ●  ● Dust mites ●  ● Indoor mold ●  ● Outdoor mold ●  ● Pollen ●  ● Air pollution ●  ● Cold air ●  ● Exercise ●  ● Smoke ●  ● Some illnesses and medicines ●  ● Strong odors What’s the link? Not everyone who has allergies has asthma, but many people with asthma also have allergies. Allergies can trigger your airways to narrow. It’s important to know your allergy triggers, or allergens, so you can avoid them. What’s in the air? Depending on where you live in southern Nevada, these pollen- producers could be getting to you: ●  ● Ash ●  ● Cedar ●  ● Elm ●  ● Maple ●  ● Mulberry ●  ● Olive ●  ● Pine ●  ● Ragweed ●  ● Sycamore Give pollen the brush-off  Keep your windows closed.  When you enter your home, remove outdoor clothing and wash your hair to remove allergens.  Use nasal spray or an air filtration machine. (Some pollen grains may be too small for the machine to block.) Common allergens that make asthma worse: Other asthma triggers may include: Is allergy treatment for you? Get an idea of whether you might benefit from immunotherapy. Take our assessment at StRoseReach.org . Breathe easier: Ready to see a doctor? We can help you find a caring physician. Call 702.616.4900 . ?