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Breathlessness, Coughing, Sound While Breathing, Diagnosed With Allergic Bronchitis. Should I Take Such Injections?
Question: I met with a pulmonologist 2 months back with symptons like short of breathe,coughing,sound while breathing when i am short of breathe etc. He diagnosed me with Allergic bronchitis. He gave me few medicines . He also asked me to get anti allergic injections which he claims will solve any recurrence of such allergic attack and prevent any future issues of bronchitis and Asthma. The charge he says will be Rs 1500 for 5-6 injections which can be taken on daily basis or weekly basis.
My question is should i go ahead with such injections? Do they have any long term side-affects ? How successful are they in cases of allergy bronchitis and sinusitis?
My question is should i go ahead with such injections? Do they have any long term side-affects ? How successful are they in cases of allergy bronchitis and sinusitis?
Hello XXXXXXX
As per the description given by you, you may be most probably suffering from Asthma. Allergic bronchitis is another term used for it though it is a misnomer. To confirm the diagnosis of asthma you should get Spirometry or PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) done. You should also get a blood count including AEC (Absolute Eosinophil Count) done. A chest x-ray should be done to rule out any other disease.
The main stay of treatment for asthma is steroids and beta agonists in the inhaled form. Since these medicines are taken as inhalers where drug strength is in micrograms, very little amount of drug enters the blood, thus minimizing the side effects.
Beside inhalers, you should take anti-inflammatory agents like cetrizine or allegra and a antileukotreine like monteleukast. You may take an antacid drug like omeprazole or pantaprozole because acidity is known to aggravate asthma symptoms.
You should consult a pulmonologist who will advice you accordingly depending on the severity of your asthma. Most of the asthmatics improve completely with this line of treatment. If required a short course of oral steroids can be given.
Anti allergic injections given as a last resort if above treatment does not control the symptoms completely and is normally required in severe or difficult to control asthma. Even after these injections patient may require inhaler medicine. Effect of these injections may last from 6 to 12 months and they may have to be repeated again.
Regarding the side effects, there may be mild itching redness, pain at the site of injection. Rarely a severe side effect like anaphylactic reaction may occur for which immediate medical aid is required.
Dr Shashi Dangwal
As per the description given by you, you may be most probably suffering from Asthma. Allergic bronchitis is another term used for it though it is a misnomer. To confirm the diagnosis of asthma you should get Spirometry or PFT (Pulmonary Function Test) done. You should also get a blood count including AEC (Absolute Eosinophil Count) done. A chest x-ray should be done to rule out any other disease.
The main stay of treatment for asthma is steroids and beta agonists in the inhaled form. Since these medicines are taken as inhalers where drug strength is in micrograms, very little amount of drug enters the blood, thus minimizing the side effects.
Beside inhalers, you should take anti-inflammatory agents like cetrizine or allegra and a antileukotreine like monteleukast. You may take an antacid drug like omeprazole or pantaprozole because acidity is known to aggravate asthma symptoms.
You should consult a pulmonologist who will advice you accordingly depending on the severity of your asthma. Most of the asthmatics improve completely with this line of treatment. If required a short course of oral steroids can be given.
Anti allergic injections given as a last resort if above treatment does not control the symptoms completely and is normally required in severe or difficult to control asthma. Even after these injections patient may require inhaler medicine. Effect of these injections may last from 6 to 12 months and they may have to be repeated again.
Regarding the side effects, there may be mild itching redness, pain at the site of injection. Rarely a severe side effect like anaphylactic reaction may occur for which immediate medical aid is required.
Dr Shashi Dangwal
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
Hello Dr. XXXXXXX
Thanks for that explanation of treatment to Asthma.
I have already done my PFT and X-Ray (but not blood count and AEC) based on which the concerned pulmonologist have diagnosed allergic bronchitis ( or Asthma in your words) . During these 7 years of stay at Bangalore, I have developed 2 diseases (Sinusitis and Bronchitis) and the root cause for both of them is Allergy to cold and dust. I understand that i need to tackle these diseases separately but somehow i feel curing Allergy or developing resistance against Allergy at least would solve my long term issues (God knows which next disease is in line from this Allergy for me..). Can i do something about this Allergy?
Also, In case of Asthma, do these medications have to be taken on regular basis whenever the attack happens or using them for few times would rid of Asthma?
Thanks for that explanation of treatment to Asthma.
I have already done my PFT and X-Ray (but not blood count and AEC) based on which the concerned pulmonologist have diagnosed allergic bronchitis ( or Asthma in your words) . During these 7 years of stay at Bangalore, I have developed 2 diseases (Sinusitis and Bronchitis) and the root cause for both of them is Allergy to cold and dust. I understand that i need to tackle these diseases separately but somehow i feel curing Allergy or developing resistance against Allergy at least would solve my long term issues (God knows which next disease is in line from this Allergy for me..). Can i do something about this Allergy?
Also, In case of Asthma, do these medications have to be taken on regular basis whenever the attack happens or using them for few times would rid of Asthma?
Dear XXXXXXX
As rightly assumed by you, your problem is mainly due to allergy. You should try and avoid the allergens as much as possible. You should take inhaler medicines as mentioned above along with antihistamines like cetrizine and monteleukast. Use a fluticasone nasal spray also. These should take care of your asthma as well as sinusitis.
These medicines should be taken until full control is achieved and then they can be tapered off gradually under supervision of your physician or your pulmonologist. This is called step down treatment.
You should also do some XXXXXXX breathing exercises or yoga and go out for walks in early morning fresh air. However, in cold season cold air should be avoided. Also, do not take colas, readily available fruit juices and junk food as they have preservatives, colourants, and flavouring agents which may worsen your symptoms.
If all these fail, you may try desensitization therapy as advised by your doctor.
Do write back in case of further clarifications.
Regards,
As rightly assumed by you, your problem is mainly due to allergy. You should try and avoid the allergens as much as possible. You should take inhaler medicines as mentioned above along with antihistamines like cetrizine and monteleukast. Use a fluticasone nasal spray also. These should take care of your asthma as well as sinusitis.
These medicines should be taken until full control is achieved and then they can be tapered off gradually under supervision of your physician or your pulmonologist. This is called step down treatment.
You should also do some XXXXXXX breathing exercises or yoga and go out for walks in early morning fresh air. However, in cold season cold air should be avoided. Also, do not take colas, readily available fruit juices and junk food as they have preservatives, colourants, and flavouring agents which may worsen your symptoms.
If all these fail, you may try desensitization therapy as advised by your doctor.
Do write back in case of further clarifications.
Regards,
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Shanthi.E
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