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Antihistamines & Lung Problems

A lot of the damage that occurs in the lungs from environmental hazards is done by the body's own immune response against those hazards. One way to avoid the damage is by avoiding those chemicals and particles that may cause irritation to the airways. Another way is to prevent the irritation through the use of antihistamines.

  1. Histamines

    • Histamines are chemicals produced by the immune system in response to an allergenic trigger like pollen, smog or pet dander. Cells called mast cells produce histamines to signal other cells to join the fight. As a result, histamines trigger inflammation and further irritation at the site where the mast cells first encounter the allergens.

    Allergens

    • Anything in the environment may be an allergen so long as it is not normally found in the body. In the womb and during early childhood, the body's immune system learns what is foreign (and should be combated) and what is normal for the body to have (like food and other cells). Some chemicals and proteins are foreign to the body, so the immune system responds with an allergic response of antibodies, histamines and additional cells.

    Breathing Problems

    • The airways which lead to the lungs are called the bronchi. When an allergen is encountered in the airways after it is inhaled, the immune response there creates inflammation of the bronchi. Asthma is the result of one such allergic response. During an attack, the bronchi are constricted and breathing becomes difficult. If uncontrolled, the cycle of inflammation after each allergic response creates scarring of the bronchi, leading to a loss of elasticity and continued breathing problems.

    Chronic Lung Disease

    • Like with the bronchi, if an allergen makes it all the way into the alveoli (small sacks where oxygen exchange with the blood occurs), the immune response may damage the alveoli. Continued allergic responses lead to continued damage. Long term, the damage reduces the ability of lungs to expand and contract and deliver oxygen to the blood. Medications like antihistamines are used in order to alleviate and prevent damage to the lungs from allergic responses.

    Antihistamines

    • Antihistamines are used to block histamines from either being produced or from being received by other cells once they are produced. As a result, the chemical signal to attack allergens is not received by other cells and the allergic response is minimized or avoided. Antihistamines come as pills, liquids, injections and IV medications. Health care providers are the best at diagnosing and treating serious lung-related allergies, while some common allergies like hay fever or seasonal allergies can be treated with over-the-counter antihistamines.

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