Practicing self-management strategies can help reduce the severity of allergies, asthma, diabetes, and arthritis.

allergy

histamines

asthma

diabetes

autoimmune disease

arthritis

osteoarthritis

rheumatoid arthritis

Allergies

Allergies are caused by a variety of substances.

These substances are present in your environment and make their way into your body.

Allergies

Allergies are a very common noncommunicable illness caused by allergens.

AllergyA specific reaction of the immune system to a foreign and frequently harmless substance

AllergiesCommon Allergens

Pollen

Certain foods

Dust

Mold spores

Chemicals

Insect venom

Dander from animals

Certain medicines

Allergies

Histamines cause sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and other allergy symptoms.

HistaminesChemicals that can stimulate mucus and fluid production.

Allergies

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The allergen enters the body, which treats the allergen as a foreign invader.

Antigens on the surface of allergens attach to special immune cells in the linings of the nasal passage.

These immune cells release histamines.

Histamines cause sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and other allergy symptoms.

Allergies

There are many kinds of allergic reactions.

 

Some allergies produce hives—itchy raised bumps on the skin.

Allergies

More serious allergic reactions that can be life threatening include:

Severe hives; itching or swelling of an area stung by an insect

Difficulty breathing or swallowing

Swelling of the tongue, mouth, or eyes

Sharp drop in blood pressure, which can cause dizziness

Diagnosing Allergies

Sometimes you can diagnose an allergy yourself.

 

In many cases, though, blood tests and skin tests are needed to identify the source of an allergic reaction.

Diagnosing Allergies

During a skin test, small amounts of possible allergens are applied to a scratched area of the skin.

Treating Allergies

The simplest way to treat an allergy is to avoid the allergen that causes it.

 

When avoidance is not possible, people with allergies can take medicines that help control allergy symptoms called antihistamines.

Treating Allergies

If you suffer from severe allergies, your doctor may prescribe antihistamines or a single, injectable dose of medicine that you carry with you at all times.

 

If someone you know experiences a severe allergic reaction, call 911 immediately.

Asthma

Asthma has no cure, but it can be managed.

Asthma can be life threatening, so those who have it must take the condition seriously and learn to manage it.

Asthma

More than 15 million people in the United States have asthma. 

AsthmaAn inflammatory condition in which the small airways in the lungs become narrowed, causing difficulty in breathing

Asthma

The bronchial tubes of people with asthma are highly sensitive to certain substances called triggers.

Asthma

Asthma Triggers

Air pollution

Pet dander

Tobacco smoke

Microscopic mold

Pollen

Dust Mites

Exercise

Asthma

Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack

Shortness of breath

Chest tightness or pain

Coughing

Sneezing

Asthma

During an asthma attack, the muscles of the bronchial walls tighten and produce extra mucus.

 

Symptoms may range from minor wheezing to severe difficulty in breathing.

Managing Asthma

People with asthma can use these self-management strategies:

Monitor the condition.

Manage your environment.

Manage stress.

Take medication properly.

Managing Asthma

These are some environmental conditions that can trigger asthma.

Managing Asthma

Many people with asthma use bronchodilators, or inhalers.

 

These devices deliver medicine that relaxes and widens respiratory passages.

Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes is on the rise.

Young people are especially at risk today.

Diabetes

In a person with diabetes, the pancreas produces too little or no insulin, a hormone that helps glucose from food enter body cells and provide them with energy.

DiabetesA chronic disease that affects the way body cells convert sugar into energy

Diabetes

Symptoms of Diabetes

Frequent urination Frequent urination

Excessive thirst Excessive thirst

Unexplained weight loss Unexplained weight loss

Sudden changes in vision Sudden changes in vision

Tingling in hands or feet Tingling in hands or feet

Frequent fatigue Frequent fatigue

Sores that are slow to heal Sores that are slow to heal

More infections than usual More infections than usual

Diabetes

Some diabetics do produce enough insulin, but their cells don’t respond normally to it.

 

As a result, glucose builds up in the blood instead of being delivered to cells.

Diabetes

The only way to diagnose diabetes is through a blood test.

 

Diabetes can be successfully managed with medication, a healthful eating plan, and regular moderate exercise.

 

Diabetes

Long-Term Effects of Untreated Diabetes

Blindness

KidneyFailure

LimbAmputations

HeartDisease

Stroke

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes accounts for 5 to 10 percent of all diabetes cases.

 

The body fails to produce insulin, glucose builds up in the blood, and cells don’t get the energy they need.

Type 1 Diabetes

Over time, the high blood sugar level can cause damage to the eyes, kidneys, nerves, and heart.

 

People with type 1 diabetes must take daily doses of insulin.

Type 1 Diabetes

Type 1 diabetes is known as an autoimmune disease.

Autoimmune diseaseA condition in which the immune system mistakenly attacks itself, targeting the cells, tissues, and organs of a person’s own body

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes accounts for 90 to 95 percent of all cases of diabetes.

 

In this form of diabetes, the body is unable to make enough insulin or to use insulin properly.

Type 2 Diabetes

Type 2 diabetes usually appears after age 40, but growing numbers of younger people are developing this disease.

 

The increase in childhood obesity is directly linked to the increase in type 2 diabetes among children.

Type 2 Diabetes

Some scientists fear that type 2 diabetes will become an epidemic for two reasons:

There are more older people in the population.

There are more obese and inactive young people.

Type 2 Diabetes

To help prevent type 2 diabetes, include these healthful behaviors in your life:

Choose low-fat, low-calorie foods.

Participate in regular physical activity.

Type 2 Diabetes

People with diabetes can live full, normal lives if they manage their condition.

Monitor blood sugar levels.

Make healthful eating decisions.

Engage in regular physical activity.

Take prescribed medications.

Arthritis

Arthritis is a major cause of disability.

There is currently no cure for arthritis, but self-management techniques can reduce pain and improve movement.

Arthritis

The two main forms of arthritis are osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis.

ArthritisA group of more than 100 different diseases that cause pain and loss of movement in the joints

Osteoarthritis

Half of all arthritis cases involve osteoarthritis.

OsteoarthritisA disease of the joints in which cartilage breaks down

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis causes the cartilage to become pitted and frayed.

 

In time, it may wear away completely, causing the bones to rub painfully against each other.

Osteoarthritis

Strategies to Reduce Your Risk

Control your weight.

Stay active.

Prevent sports injuries.

Protect against Lyme disease.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is three times more common in women than in men.

Rheumatoid arthritisA disease characterized by the debilitating destruction of the joints due to inflammation

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Symptoms and Side Effects

Joint pain

Inflammation

Swelling

Stiffness

Deformed joints that can’t function normally

Possible fever, fatigue, and swollen lymph glands

Rheumatoid Arthritis

Rheumatoid arthritis is caused by an autoimmune disorder.

 

Treatments focus on relieving pain, reducing inflammation, and keeping the joints flexible.

Rheumatoid Arthritis

TreatmentMethods

Medication

Exercise

Rest Joint

protection

Physical and occupational

therapy

After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary

Histamines are chemicals that can stimulate mucus and fluid production. They cause sneezing, itchy eyes, runny nose, and other allergy symptoms.

1. What are histamines? What role do they play in allergies?

After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary

2. Name three strategies for managing asthma.

Any three: Monitor the condition, manage the environment, manage stress, and take medication properly

After You ReadReviewing Facts and Vocabulary

3. What are the two main forms of arthritis?

Osteoarthritis and rheumatoid arthritis