Women at Higher Risk of developing Allergies, Asthma

Women are at a higher risk of suffering from asthma, allergy and autoimmune diseases when compared to men, according to allergy experts.

The study supports the idea that when treating allergies, it is wrong to assume that all patients will react the same way to a certain treatment.

Researcher presented the study at the annual meeting American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

According to study team, immune system responses vary with age and gender. Previous research has shown that women have higher IgG responses to vaccines, but men have higher igE levels.

"More prepubescent males have rhinitis, asthma and food allergy than females," said Renata Engler, MD, allergist and ACAAI Fellow. "However, roles change. When females enter young adulthood, they outnumber men in these chronic illness categories."

"The importance of sex differences in the practice of allergy-immunology cannot be overstated," Dr. Engler said in the news release. "Improved sex/gender based medicine and research practices will benefit men and women alike."

The study was presented at the American College of Allergy, Asthma and Immunology (ACAAI).

A similar study had earlier found that women in the 40s and 50s were more likely to be hospitalized due to asthma-related complications than men, The Telegraph reported.

Asthma is a chronic, lung condition that narrows the airways, according to the National Heart Lung and Blood Institute. The disease causes chest tightening, wheezing and coughing. In the U.S., about 25 million people suffer from asthma, of which at least 7 million are children.

Allergies can be good as a previous research from Yale had reported that they are a body's way of keeping away from dangerous environments. Allergies are also linked with lower risk of brain cancers.