You indicated that you either have a history with or are concerned about allergies and/or asthma. You probably suffer from allergies or asthma because of a combination of two factors: a genetic predisposition, and the overreaction of your body's immune system to a typically harmless substance in the environment, such as trees, grasses, pollen, mold, or medicine.
Most people will experience some form of allergy during their lifetime, and while most reactions are mild — including such symptoms as watery eyes, coughing, and sneezing — others are more extreme and can even be life threatening.
Types of allergies include:
- Food allergies
- Medicine allergies
- Allergies to insect venom
- Allergies to animals
- Allergies to natural rubber
- Occupational asthma
- Allergies to cosmetics
Changes you can make to your lifestyle include:
- Keeping your bedroom free of dust and eliminating wall-to-wall carpeting, down blankets, and feather pillows
- Eating a low-protein diet and consuming fewer milk products
- Avoiding smoke and pollution whenever possible
- Getting a HEPA (high-efficiency particulate air) filter for your home
- Trying to reduce sources of stress in your life, which may aggravate your allergies and asthma