Allergic Asthma Overview What is allergic asthma? Allergic or allergy-induced asthma is a condition where your airways tighten when you breathe in an allergen. Most often, these allergens are in the air — like dust mites, pollen, animal dander or mold spores. When you have allergies, your body creates a response to something it thinks is a threat — the allergen. Your immune system fires up all of its defenses to try and fight off this danger. Your immune system releases various chemicals that cause inflammation, or swelling, and squeezing of your airways upon exposure to an allergen Symptoms What are the symptoms of allergic asthma? If you have allergic asthma, you may have many of the same symptoms you’d experience with other types of asthma. These symptoms can include: Feeling short of breath. Coughing frequently, especially at night. Wheezing (a whistling noise during breathing). Experiencing chest tightness (feeling like something is pressing on your chest). Allergen exposure can a...
Glossophobia What is glossophobia? Glossophobia isn’t a dangerous disease or chronic condition. It’s the medical term for the fear of public speaking. And it affects as many as four out of 10 Americans. For those affected, speaking in front of a group can trigger feelings of discomfort and anxiety. With this can come uncontrollable trembling, sweating, and a racing heartbeat. You may also have an overwhelming urge to run out of the room or away from the situation that is causing you stress. Glossophobia is a social phobia, or social anxiety disorder. Anxiety disorders go beyond occasional worrying or nervousness. They cause strong fears that are out of proportion to what you’re experiencing or thinking about. Anxiety disorders often get worse over time. And they can interfere with your ability to function under some circumstances. What does glossophobia feel like? When faced with having to give a presentation, many people experience the classic fight-or-flight response. This is the bod...