Allergies and asthma are often thought to be unrelated conditions. However, in many cases there is a causal relation between the two. For instance, common allergens (like pet dander, dust, and pollen) trigger allergic inflammation in the lungs followed by more serious asthmatic symptoms. Doctors call this variety of asthma ‘allergy-induced asthma.’ How does an allergic response cause an asthmatic reaction? Many of us suffer from allergies or know someone who suffers from allergies of some kind. It’s a common sight when someone is exposed to an allergen they are known to react to, and as if on cue, the reaction follows. An allergic response occurs when the immune system mistakenly identifies a harmless allergen (i.e., cat dander) as an invader and releases antibodies. How ironic that It is this protective mechanism that leads to allergy symptoms of itchy eyes, hives, runny nose, headache, cough, and nasal congestion. If you also suffer from asthma, a simple allergic reaction can trigger wheezing and coughing due to tight and restricted lungs and lead to a full blown attack. Who’s most at risk of allergy-induced asthma? If you suffer from allergy symptoms resulting in hay fever (caused by the powdery pollen that’s produced by weeds, grasses, and certain trees), you may have a higher risk of also developing asthma.

According to The Mayo Clinic most treatments for asthma and allergies follow their independent paths, and these treatments don’t always work together even where patients suffer from both.  While patients with allergies, asthma, or both are often prescribed medications to treat their specific symptoms, doctors concur that the best and most proactive defense is knowing your symptom triggers and avoiding them as much as possible. However, if you suffer from allergy-induced asthma, there are treatments that can help relieve the symptoms of both conditions.  1) IgE Therapy Anti-immunoglobulin E (commonly called IgE therapy) helps prevent the release of IgE antibodies and histamine chemicals in response to an allergic reaction. By treating the reaction itself with medicines like Xolair, IgE therapy works to prevent the allergy and asthma trigger together. 2) Prescription Corticosteroids Patients of allergy induced asthma who turn to an inhaler too often to bring the breathlessness under control may be prescribed a corticosteroid (either inhaled or delivered orally in prescription pill form) by their physician. Inhaled steroids, or “controller” medications, are administered via a portable device every day to reduce inflammation in the airways for longer periods of time. While oral steroids like prednisone are meant to reduce severe inflammation caused by an asthma attack.

Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) is a group of behavioral symptoms that may include impulsivity, hyperactivity, and inattention. The symptoms associated with this condition tend to be noticed at an early stage when children are about 6 to 12 years old. However, the symptoms tend to intensify when the child’s circumstances changes, such as when they start school. The journey of parenting a child who has ADHD may sometimes feel lonely. But you shouldn’t feel alone. It is estimated that this neurodevelopmental disorder affects about 11 percent of school-age children—that’s about 6.4 million children in the US alone.  Studies also reveal that the ADHD symptoms may also continue from childhood into adulthood. In fact, an estimated 2.5 percent of adults have ADHD in the United States. In adults, hyperactivity may decrease, but one may struggle with restlessness and impulsiveness; and may find it difficult to pay attention. Treatment for both childhood and adult ADHD is normally similar, though some medications prescribed for children may not be suitable for adults. It is also important to note that boys and girls tend to display different types of ADHD symptoms. Boys are significantly more likely to be diagnosed with ADHD than girls—studies show that at least four in every five cases of ADHD are diagnosed in boys.

Many parents who discover that their child has ADHD (or attention deficit hyperactive disorder) are not keen on treating them with pharmaceuticals due to potential side effects. While many health experts point to prescription medication as the most common treatment for ADHD, they also acknowledge that medication is effective in only 80-percent of cases. This is why many parents turn to non-medical means (with recommendation from their family doctor), including the following therapeutic, dietary, and lifestyle changes, to control and decrease the symptoms of ADHD, and thus help their children live better quality lives at home and at school: 1) Dietary changes The link between diet and ADHD symptoms has long been controversial. However, studies from the U.S. Food and Drug Administration claim artificial food dyes, while considered safe, have been known to contribute to hyperactive behavior. Other known dietary culprits that have been linked to increasing ADHD symptoms are milk, food additives, sugar, wheat, and eggs. 2) Neurofeedback While the verdict is still out on the scientific effect of this treatment on the behavior of patients with ADHD, many parents turn to neurofeedback (or electroencephalography biofeedback) by recommendation from a family doctor. Neurofeedback treatment connects patients to a brain wave machine to monitor brain activity as they concentrate on different tasks.

As mentioned earlier, ADHD is not a result of your child’s disobedience, selfishness, poor upbringing, low intelligence, poor motivation, or laziness—just to name a few. Although these are some of the symptoms associated with the condition, having these problems don’t cause chronic impulsiveness, hyperactivity, or inattention, which are the core symptoms of Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder. The exact cause of ADHD isn’t known, although numerous researchers agree that genetic and brain structure and function are responsible. 1)   Genetics Heredity is thought to be one of the most common causes of ADHD. The evidence in this thought is derived from extensive molecular genetic research (such as this), twin studies, adoption studies, and family studies. For example, if a trait is genetic, adopted children resemble their biological relatives more closely than they do their adoptive relatives. ADHD is hereditary and tends to run through families. Therefore, if you or your child have the condition, there is a greater chance that you inherited it. In fact, research shows that siblings and parents of children with ADHD are four times more likely to develop this condition themselves. 2)   Brain Function and Structure There is ongoing research that indicates that the cerebellum, caudate nucleus, basal ganglia, and frontal lobe (as well as other parts of the brain) play a key role in the development of ADHD, because all these parts play a significant role in regulating behavior and mental functions.