Mucosal Immunology and Vaccine Development

Allergic Asthma Treatment and Prevention

Asthma is a chronic condition in which the airways that carry air to the lungs are inflamed and narrowed. It’s caused by a combination of both genetic and environmental factors. Many genes have been related to asthma.Inflamed airways are very sensitive, and they tend to react to things in the environment called triggers, such as substances that are inhaled. When the airways react, they swell and narrow even more, and also produce extramucus, all of which make it harder for air to flow to the lungs. The muscles around the airways also tighten, which further restricts air flow. There are also many environmental factors connected to asthma in children. With so many variables, preventing the development of asthma can be challenging, if not impossible. Immunotherapyin the form of allergy shots, works to enhance or suppress the immune system. The goal of immunotherapy is to reduce sensitivity to allergens over time.