Asthma Attack Blog


Asthma Attack Triggers

Although in asthma the underlying airway inflammation is always there, an asthma attack can be triggered or worsened by a number of factors. There are two types of asthma attack triggers;

Allergens and Irritants

* Common asthma allergens include pollen, animals and house-dust mites.
* Common asthma irritants include cold air, cigarette smoke and chemical fumes.

An allergen is a substance that causes asthma attack symptoms by bringing about an allergic reaction. An irritant is a substance that precipitates an asthma attack by aggravating the airways.

Keeping a diary of the times and circumstances that precipitates your asthma attack or causes your asthma to worsen can help you and your doctor pinpoint exactly what your asthma triggers are. Once you have identified your asthma triggers, you can take steps to deal with them.

Showing posts with label Allergic Asthma. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Allergic Asthma. Show all posts

Friday, 3 August 2012

The Different Types Of Breathing Disorders

There are a lot of breathing disorders that people can suffer from. Some of these breathing problems can be caused by smoking. One of those disorders is emphysema. This disease is primarily caused by smoking and can cause shortness of breath in people who suffer from this disorder. The cigarette smoke can cause the alveolar sacs in the lungs to become damaged, which means they cannot function properly. These sacs are where the transfer of oxygen and carbon dioxide occur. Since there is trouble with the transfer of carbon dioxide, it makes it harder to breath, which is where the shortness of breath comes from. Carbon dioxide is a waste product, and if it is not expelled from the blood then it can cause some problems to whoever suffers from this disorder.


Another breathing disorder that smokers can suffer from is chronic bronchitis. There is another form of bronchitis, which is acute bronchitis. This disorder is not usually seen in smokers, because it is usually caused by a virus. Chronic bronchitis happens to smokers because they are constantly abusing their lungs, so it makes it difficult for the lungs to heal. The best way to treat this disorder is simply to quit smoking so that your lungs can heal. Some of the symptoms of chronic bronchitis is coughing accompanies by mucus, shortness of breath and sometimes fever, chest pains and fatigue. If you feel that you are suffering from either form of bronchitis it would be a good idea to go to a doctor and get checked out so you can treat it properly.


One of the breathing disorders that non-smokers suffer from is asthma. Sometimes this disorder can be caused by the environment. For example, if you are someone who does not respond well to dust in the air, you can get an asthma attack from dusty surroundings. The same can be said about people who have problems with animal hair. Other people can have asthma problems due to genetics. Some of the people who have problems with asthma will use an inhaler when they have asthma attacks, and also before an asthma attack in order to prevent them from happening. Some of the symptoms of asthma is coughing, wheezing and having a hard time breathing. This breathing disorder is decently common around the world.


One more breathing disorder worth noting is rhinitis. This is more commonly known as a stuffy nose. Some people may find it surprising that this is classified as a breathing disorder, but it does impede people's ability to breath. A reason why sufferers have a hard time breathing with this disorder is because of nasal inflammation. The airways in the nasal cavity become constricted, which makes it harder to breath. This can cause forced breathing, which is very annoying. This disorder can be caused by a virus, bacteria, allergens, or it can even be hormonal. It is difficult to treat because there are so many causes that rhinitis can be from. If you suffer from any of the breathing disorders, it is a good idea to schedule an appointment with your doctor as soon as possible. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Friday, 13 July 2012

Four Basic Tips To Control Your Asthma

Asthma can be dangerous for your health because it restricts your ability to breathe easily. Asthma attack can occur any time. It can be fatal if you do not know how to treat your asthma immediately. In this article, you can figure out how you can treat your asthma condition. Try to do these natural tips to get your healthy life.


1. Know what your asthma trigger is


You should visit your doctor to know the allergens that can trigger your asthma attack. Your doctor can help you to have several allergy tests that will identify the allergens for your asthma condition. After you know your asthma trigger, try to avoid that trigger to manage your asthma symptoms. Some items, such as pollen or smoke, can trigger the asthma attacks. One thing that you can do is to use mask when you go outside. It prevents you from those allergens.


2. Avoid doing activities in cold weather


If you have asthma, you might want to keep doing your activities normally. However, you have to make sure that you should not go outside in cold weather. Cold air can enter your nasal system easily and cause asthma attack. Consider to stay at home when you have asthma attack.


3. Avoid smoking


You might be familiar with this advice. If you have asthma, you should avoid cigarette smoke to prevent asthma attack. You should know that smoking is an unhealthy habit because the smoke can come into your lungs. As the result, you won't be able to breathe easily. When you have asthma, smoke from cigarettes will exacerbate your asthma symptoms.


4. Get fresh air


If you have asthma, it is essential to let fresh air to flow in the house. Try to get as much fresh air as you can. Open your doors and windows so fresh air can flow through your house. By doing so, you will allow the air in your house to circulate well. You can also put ventilation in your house to keep the air circulation in your house. However, you should close your doors and windows, when the amount of pollen is relatively high. It is important because pollen can trigger your asthma attack.


Those basic tips are very useful to treat your asthma condition. You have to control your asthma. It can be dangerous for your health, if it is not treated and controlled well.


Come to our site if you want to learn more about choosing the best home remedies for asthma. Read this article before you visit your allergy doctor to discuss your asthma problem. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Friday, 6 July 2012

Salon Chemicals Air Purifier: 5 Most Important Features To Have In Your Cleaner

Daily exposure to the chemical fumes that off gas from products used in beauty and nail salons make you more susceptible to the short and long term effects of breathing these VOCs (volatile organic chemicals)


Getting these chemicals out of the air consistently and efficiently is a must to preserve the health of those frequent your salon. Here are the 5 most important features to select in the air cleaner for your shop.


Carbon Filter---Carbon is the best type of filter to use to remove airborne chemicals. It has proven itself to be effective at being a able to gaseous pollutants such as odors, gases, and chemicals. But even carbon filters need help when it comes to trapping VOCs such as formaldehyde and other chemical vapors that off gas from all too many beauty products.


Potassium Iodide continues to prove to be effective at enhancing carbon's ability to effectively filter and remove airborne chemicals from salons. And whereas a filter with just carbon can remove some, a filter with this additive is much more efficient.


Wheels---Most cleaners work by pulling in air that is closest to it first, filtering the air and sending it back into the room displacing more air. This process repeats again and again until all the air that is available to open to the cleaner has been filtered.


Choosing a cleaner with sturdy wheels or casters gives you the ability to roll the cleaner closer to a station where a particularly smelly procedure is to occur. This means that the fumes from that procedure will be the first to be pulled into the cleaner. This will lessen the overall smell and help prevent it from spoiling air quality all over the salon.


24 Hour Operation---Once chemicals evaporate into the air, some of them hang there for hours. Without continuous filtration, you will find that you walk into the salon in the morning still smelling the chemicals from procedures that were done the previous day. This stale air is no way to start the day and is certainly not the first impression you want customers to have when entering your salon.


A purifier with a split capacitor motor is necessary if you are to be able to trust the unit to run 24 hours a day. This type of motor is designed to run continuously with high revolutions per minute (RPM) and long life duty. Without this feature, you may be restricted to running the cleaner for limited time during the day.


Limited cleaning is like limited heating or cooling of the air in your salon. It just doesn't make the salon a pleasant or healthy place to be.


Long Life Filter - A filter that lasts for a long time is important for 3 reasons. First, if the filter in the cleaner is working properly without any attention from you, it allows you to use your time in ways other than maintaining the filter.


And secondly, since maintenance usually means an interruption in its operation, your air is being filtered without interruption. And third (my personal favorite), if the filter last a long time you spend less money on replacement filters.


Be sure to check the technical specifications online or in the owner's manual to see how long the filter is expected to last. If the filter life is only 6 months or even a year, leave it on the shelf.Frequent filter changes significantly add to the cost of operating the unit.


Instead choose a cleaner that not only has a filter life of 5 years, but one that offers a warranty on the filter in case it does not last that long. A pro-rated filter warranty is one of the best ways to insure that your filter will last.


Substantial Purifier Warranty - Make sure that the cleaner you choose has more than a 6 month or one year warranty. Should anything go wrong after this time, you are likely to have to pay for expensive repairs or buy a new unit. Either of these scenarios send the cost of the unit through the roof.


Instead, choose a cleaner that is guaranteed to last for 5 years, and one that the manufacture is willing to repair even after the warranty period is over. This means you are more likely to be able to get the parts that may be necessary for any repair, but it also indicates that you will probably never have to use the service.


A manufacture couldn't make money if they had to continually repair their units. So a long warranty is probably one of the best indications you can have that the cleaner is well built and will last far beyond the warranty period. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Sunday, 1 July 2012

Looking Out For Asthma Signs And Symptoms

Asthma is a very common condition among adults and children alike. Asthma signs and symptoms can range from the very mild to severe. In fact, most people think that they just have a cold or some allergic reaction to something. What they do not know is that they have asthma, and undiagnosed asthma could lead to very serious complications that could be life-threatening.


Asthma is a condition where the bronchioles swell and narrow, causing a difficulty in breathing. This "swelling and narrowing" may be caused by a variety of triggering factors: pollen, dust, smoke, exercise, and other nonspecific causes. There are a lot of misconceptions that surround asthma, and the best way to clear all those would be to consult with your doctor.


Familiarizing yourself with the signs and symptoms of asthma will be a great way to spot the disease early. The earlier you get treatment, the greater are your chances of controlling the disease. As I have stated earlier - complications can be life-threatening. Outlined below will be some of the most common asthma signs and symptoms:


• Coughing that gets worsens at night. It could also be triggered by exercise and exposure to cold air.


• Shortness of breath when exerting effort.


• Tightness in the chest area. A patient once even likened it to a vise that prevents your chest from fully expanding and taking in a healthy amount of oxygen.


• Wheezing is considered to be the tell-tale sign of asthma. It is a sound that is made when exhaling and is almost like whistling or hissing. In some cases, it can only be detected by listening to the lungs through a stethoscope. In other more serious cases, you can easily hear it.


For some people, they might just exhibit milder forms of the condition, while others would need immediate medical attention. It is important to get diagnosed as early as possible so that you will be given the needed medication to control your symptoms.


In diagnosing asthma, you doctor will be looking into your family history for anybody who is experiencing asthma. It is a hereditary condition, so if one of you family members has asthma, there is a great possibility that you will have one too. On top of that, you will have to undergo a physical exam and a series of lung function tests. The physical exam will involve testing for allergies since allergies can trigger asthma attacks.


As mentioned earlier, asthma complications can be life-threatening. This condition is called status asthmaticus. In the event of status asthmaticus, the patient no longer responds to the usual round of bronchodilators and even steroids. This is considered as a medical emergency and can lead to cardiac or respiratory arrest.


A lot of people seem to think that asthma can be outgrown and that is it a condition limited only to children. This is not only false but also inaccurate. Asthma cannot be outgrown. The symptoms may be controlled for some time but once the medication is stopped, triggering factors and allergens could cause the onset of asthma again.


If you seem to think that you may have asthma, it is very important to have it checked immediately.


For more information on Different Types of Diseases, Symptoms and Diagnoses, Please visit: Asthma Signs and Symptoms and Asthma Diagnosis. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Tuesday, 26 June 2012

What Is Asthma and How to Find Relief

Over 50 years ago my stay at home mom took my brother, sister, and myself to the grocery store. We lived in a town of 450 people and it hasn't grown since. Back then it was okay for mom to leave us alone in the car and expect us to have behaved while she was inside. Dad was at work which didn't matter because mom wouldn't rat on us for misbehaving because she would take care of the problem on the spot. One day the scene was as described and with me being the oldest and my sister next we were laughing pretty hard at the antics of our little brother who was about two years old. We thought he was putting on a pretty good show. As it turned out he was having convulsions from an asthma attack. It scared the water out of mom when she came out and discovered what we were laughing so hard about. Her fear apparently made an impression on me too since I haven't forgotten it.


Today, there are no known cures for asthma, a chronic lung disease that inflames and narrows the airways that causes recurring outbreaks of wheezing, tightness in the chest, shortness of breath and coughing. Generally the coughing most often occurs during the night or early in the morning because of inflamed swollen and sensitive airways. Swollen or narrow airways may make more mucus that further narrows the breathing airways. They tend to react strongly to certain inhaled substances.


Some symptoms of asthma are mild enough they go away on their own or with minimal treatment. I already described the attacks that are not pretty and can be fatal if not treated. As mentioned asthma has no known cure. The person with the disease can feel fine but they still have it and asthma can flare up at any time. There are treatments that allow people to manage their disease so a more normal, active life and getting a good night's sleep is possible.


The statistics show that asthma can affect people of all ages, but mostly starts during childhood. More than 22 million people in the U.S. are known to have asthma with almost 6 million being children with boys having the disease more than girls.


What Causes Asthma?


No one knows the exact cause of asthma but some researchers link it genetically and environmentally. The Childhood Asthma Reduction Study (CARES) has an inner city program to get rid of cockroaches because their evidence shows allergens from cockroaches are risk factors for asthma. Contrary to the cockroach theory some researchers theorize that in the U.S. the emphasis on hygiene and sanitation shows a decline in asthma in children due to environmental exposures. Researchers continue to look for causes. Some risk factors are allergies but not all who suffer asthma have allergies, eczema or heredity. There are occupational risks with dust or chemicals in the work place. Inside some steel mills and foundries the dust level could be a contributing factor along with birds such as pigeons roosting inside the buildings.


How to Recognize the Signs and Symptoms


There are some common signs and symptoms to watch for:


Coughing - Asthma often is worse at night or early in the morning.Wheezing when you breathe.Chest tightness.Shortness of breath or feeling out of breath unable to get air out of the lungs.


Then there are some people that do not have these symptoms with asthma and some showing these symptoms doesn't mean you have it either. A lung function test and physical exam is the only way to determine for sure if it asthma is present.


Asthma symptoms may be mild enough to be an annoyance to limiting chores to severe forms that can be fatal..


What Causes Asthma Symptoms?


You can lessen asthma symptoms by being aware of things that may trigger it such as:


The known allergens from cockroaches, pollens, dust and animal fur.Anything that irritates the lungs, cleaners, perfumes or sprays, smoke, smog or air pollution, dust or chemicals where you work.Even the supposedly heart healthy aspirin and some non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.Additives in food and drinks like sulfites.Viral upper respiratory infections. Colds and flu.Exercise, working in the yard and trying to get some physical activity can trigger it but is not to be avoided as it is an important part of a healthy lifestyle.


What affects one person may not affect another.


Diagnosing asthma


There is a very long list of things to check that only a doctor can do to properly diagnose asthma. He will look at your medical and family history, a physical exam, and get test results to figure the severity and determine what treatment is necessary. Some asthma attacks only occur during certain times of the year, in certain places or if it's worse at night. He will also check for other conditions that make managing asthma more difficult.


The goal of an asthma treatment and action plan is to control the disease to prevent coughing and other symptoms reducing the need for medicines and help maintain good lung function. The action plan provides guidance on medicines, avoiding triggers and tracking the asthma.


An asthma action plan gives guidance on taking your medicines properly, avoiding asthma triggers (except physical activity), tracking your level of asthma control, responding to worsening asthma, and seeking emergency care when needed.


Medicines


As in the diagnosis of asthma there is a long list of medicines to try from pills to inhalers, long-term (inhaled corticosteroids) to quick relief medicines that are designed to prevent symptoms or reduce inflammation in the airways. The doctor will also discuss benefits as well as risks or side effects of certain medications. Thrush is a mouth infection and common side effect from inhaled corticosteroids. Quick relief inhalers do not reduce inflammation.


Getting the asthma under control is the main concern when beginning treatments and the doctor will want regular visits every 2 to 6 weeks at first until controlled changing the visit to once a month or semi-annual. The goal is to reduce medication too requiring the person with asthma to take an active role in helping control the disease by following the action plan set by the doctor while watching for signs that it may be worsening.


There are many aromatherapy and essential oils that may be helpful in breathing and can be found on the link on the website. Among several is Cajeput Essential Oil and it's benefits include: Arthritis, asthma, bronchitis, catarrh, colds, coughs, cystitis, flu, insect bites, muscular aches and pains, oily skin, sinusitis, sore throat, urinary infection, viral infections. Cajeput can be used similar to eucalyptus during the cold season. Add it to a diffuser to disinfect the air, and clear congestion. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.

Monday, 25 June 2012

Asthma Treatments That Won't Leave You Breathless

What Is Asthma?


Asthma is a chronic inflammatory disease of the lungs that impedes breathing. It affects more than seventeen million people in the United States. Overall, the figures are impressive. Statistics show that over sixty percent of all those who suffer from disease does not have it under control.


If you have asthma, it is in your best interest to find out about your options. One of the most important aspects of managing asthma is getting proper treatment regularly. If you have or think you may have asthma, finding a good local doctor can get you on the path to a healthy life.


Find Out What Is Causing Your Pain?


When you find your asthma triggers, you can breathe easier. Asthma is both atopic and a non-atopic condition. This means that it is triggered by both internal (atopic) such as an infection and external (non-atopic) factors like pollen or smoke. Triggers that can set off asthma attacks include outdoor allergens such as pollen, indoor allergens (dust mites), drugs, stress, excessive exercise, and smoke.


Finding out the cause for your attacks is necessary since it shows how the treatment will go. If you are diagnosed with the disease, a doctor can usually determine the cause after a medical history and physical examination.


Your Doctor Is The Best Source For Information


The right asthma doctor can help you to manage your symptoms. If you want to get valuable information about your asthma, begin by discussing the issue with your physician. Since your doctor is in the business of treating your symptoms, chances are good that questions will be welcomed.


When triggers are identified, doctors have a far better likelihood of finding adequate tools to help you control your asthma. By getting informed about what you are dealing with, you can regain control over your life.


Modern asthma treatments include a management plan to avoid triggers, medications to treat and prevent symptoms, and lifestyles changes to avert breathing issues. Medical treatments and natural remedies are everywhere and finding the right one means taking the time to find out the safety and history of each treatment. Online resources can be helpful, as can your regular doctor.


Asthma medications are prescribed according to the severity of the attacks. Inhalers filled with selective and powerful asthma medications are a popular form of treatment. They're extremely effective and safe to use for the long-term.


Asthma self-monitoring is invaluable for a number of reasons. When you know what triggers an attack, you can be far more effective in alleviating your own symptoms. Being able to anticipate an attack also helps you mentally prepare for the worst moments and ultimately reduce the element of panic entirely.


Ultimately, your long-term goal will be to have a normal life with the least amount of asthma episodes. Your management plan or asthma action plan should include a detailed description of how you can control your asthma symptoms. By keeping yourself fully informed about the details of your own condition, you retain a greater level of control over your life and have far more effective tools for asthma management.


Lynn Versailles is a registered nurse and a life-long sufferer of asthma. She has personally been affected with this chronic respiratory problem and wishes to help others. Through years of research and life experiences, she shares her knowledge on how to properly manage asthma on safetreatmentsforasthma.com. To learn more, download The Ultimate Asthma Management Guide. It is a free online guide on medical treatments and natural remedies to properly manage this illness. Providing quality reviews, articles and writings on asthma online.