Allergy Watch » Asthma

A Story of Childhood Asthma

al — Sun, 10 Feb 2008 23:36:46 +0000

At first, my childhood was just like any other kid's. I went to school, played games at recess, and was just as active as any other child. Unfortunately, when I entered the fifth grade, I began to realize that it was becoming harder and harder to play the games with other kids.

When I tried to run it was hard to breathe. When I tried to climb the stairs to get to a class, I would wheeze. Just chasing the dog in the yard became a chore. My mother soon realized that there might be something wrong with me, so she took me to my doctor. My doctor diagnosed me with childhood asthma; my life was never going to be the same.

The Effects Of Childhood Asthma

When I was first diagnosed I didn't think anything of it. I thought that just taking a puff from my inhaler would help me if I had problems breathing; unfortunately I was way off base. I was a kid and I didn't have the capacity to understand how serious my condition really was.

I didn't understand that having childhood asthma was going to keep me from running a marathon. I didn't understand that normal daily activities could kill me. I didn't understand that the slightest reaction to an allergy could send me to the hospital. I was truly ignorant of all the complications of my childhood asthma.

It took a near fatal asthma attack in the 7th grade to open my eyes. I never understood, until that point, running in freshly cut grass was an asthma trigger. Before I knew it, I had collapsed on the ground without the ability to draw the tiniest breath. Not being able to breathe scared me more than I could describe.

After that unfortunate event, I was able to fully comprehend the enormity of my condition. After that day, I didn't run as often as I used to. I didn't hop the stairs two at a time like I used to. I didn't take each breath of air for granted like I used to. I restricted myself to doing only the basic things, and I grew depressed because of it.

Taking My Life Back From Childhood Asthma

Childhood asthma became my crutch. I used it as an excuse to stay indoors and watch TV. I used it as excuse to not participate in PE. I used it as excuse to skip the prom and stay home. My asthma was more life threatening than it was supposed to be, because I allowed it to slowly suck the "life" from me. My friends began to leave me, and I became a loner. I stayed in my room and only left to eat. Asthma was my death sentence, and it wasn't supposed to be.

In June of 1999, my mother died. I was devastated. She was the only one who had been there for me through my depression. It hit me then that I was using asthma, and my mother, as a crutch to feed my depression. It's sad that it took the death of a parent to open my eyes. After that day I sought treatment for my depression, and asked my doctor about asthma medications I could use.

I had allowed my childhood asthma to rob me of my childhood, and I wasn't going to continue on that path to destruction. When people hear about childhood asthma, they only think about the physical problems associated with the disease. No one thinks about how mentally damaging it can be to a kid.

If your child or the child of someone you love is diagnosed with asthma, make sure you find someone who can help them cope with the disease. Childhood asthma is not an excuse to give up on childhood, it is a reason to live your childhood fully.

How to Develop an Effective Asthma Action Plan

al — Sun, 13 Jan 2008 10:13:56 +0000

An asthma diagnosis can be a scary thing to contemplate. The first thing you need to understand is that you are not alone in dealing with your asthma. More than 20 million people in the United States are managing an asthma condition. The good news is that with your doctor's care and a comprehensive asthma action plan, you can be on the road to taking control of your asthma and effectively managing your symptoms. The key is going to be in the type of plan that you develop. A good asthma action plan should be discussed through a partnership between you as the patient and your doctor.

Step One: Monitoring Your Symptoms

The first part of your asthma action plan should be a method to monitor your asthma symptoms. This can be done a couple of different ways. The first way is to evaluate signs of your asthma on a daily basis. The other is to use a peak flow device that will give you an indication of how well you are blowing air out of your lungs. The peak flow monitor is usually an inexpensive plastic tool that can prove to be invaluable part of your asthma action plan.

Whichever method you and your doctor decide is best for you, the important part is to perform your evaluation daily. This will train you in your awareness of your symptoms so that you can quickly recognize when you need to change or intensify your asthma treatment. You can keep a chart that will track your symptoms, treatments and possible triggers every day. Not only will this help you treat your asthma more effectively, it will also give you peace of mind in knowing that you are taking control of your condition.

Step Two: Avoid Triggers

Once you have a good idea of what triggers your asthma, the next step of your asthma action plan should be to avoid those triggers as much as possible. If your asthma is brought on by viruses like colds, you know that you should step up treatment at the first sign of a sniffle. If the trigger is an allergic reaction to something, you can avoid the item that gives you trouble or talk to your doctor about treating allergies to things that you simply cannot avoid. In extreme cases of allergy-induces asthma, your doctor might recommend immunotherapy to cure you of your allergies.

Step Three: Medications

There are two types of medications that asthma sufferers can consider. One is a preventative therapy that involves a medication to control the inflammation of the bronchial tubes. This is generally a steroidal treatment, and is often given by inhaler. The other type of medication that is often prescribed for asthma patients is to treat severe symptoms or "attacks." These are also usually done by inhaler, but can include oral steroids. The good news is that there are many effective treatments for asthma. With a good asthma action plan in place you will have the confidence to know what type of treatment you need and when you need it.

Understanding and preventing asthma

al — Fri, 04 Jan 2008 16:20:51 +0000

Asthma is a condition that affects the small tubes which carry air in and out of the lungs, an irritant usually triggers an asthma attack and irritants can vary from person to person. During an attack the muscles around the airways become increasingly narrower and the lining swells, sticky mucus can also build up in the airways which cause further narrowing and the problems associated with asthma, namely a difficulty in breathing.

There are a variety of reasons why people develop asthma, but there are certain factors that can cause it such as :

* If you have a family history of asthma or allergies
* Environmental factors such as changes in hot and cold
* Smoking during pregnancy increases the risk of your child developing asthma
* If you smoke then you are more likely to develop asthma
* Environmental pollution
* Allergies to pets
* The onset of asthma can develop after a viral infection
* Irritants found within the workplace

The most common signs and symptoms of asthma vary from person to person in severity with some people experiencing some of the symptoms all the time to some extent, while others only from time to time, they include:

* Coughing uncontrollably
* Developing a wheeze due to the restriction of the airways
* A shortness of breath
* A tight feeling around the chest

Asthma cannot be cured but it can be treated and kept under control very successfully, there are many types of medication that can help you to successfully keep your asthma under control. Medications are divided into different categories which depending on the severity of your asthma you might have to use a combination of them. Categories include

* Inhalers that prevent asthma
* Inhalers that relieve asthma
* Steroid tablets
* Spacers
* Nebulisers
* Complementary therapies

A preventer will do exactly as the name suggests help to prevent attacks of asthma, it is important to use them everyday as prescribed, even if you are feeling well. They don't help to relieve the feelings of an asthma attack such as breathlessness or tightness of the chest and most usually contain a very low dose of steroid.

Everyone who has asthma will have been prescribed a reliever; the reliever is designed to quickly ease the symptoms of asthma during an attack. The medication in the reliever will help to open the airways again making breathing much easier, it is important that if you have been prescribed an inhaler then you always make sure you have it near you.

If you have an infection and suffer from asthma then your Doctor may give you a short course of steroid treatment along with a course of antibiotics while you overcome the infection. A very few of those suffering from asthma do occasionally need to take steroids long term.

Spacers and Nebulisers are two ways that help you take your reliever medication more easily; spacers are usually given to children with asthma while Nebulisers allows you to continually inhale medication through a mask and is helpful during a particularly bad attack of asthma.

What are Common Asthma Symptoms?

al — Tue, 25 Dec 2007 09:52:50 +0000

Asthma affects millions of people every day. It constricts the airways, which makes it difficult to breathe properly and may limit a person's activity or ability to speak properly. A common asthma symptom is wheezing, which sounds like a ragged sort of breathing. Some might even compare the sound to stepping on a set of bagpipes. People wheeze for other reasons as well, such as emphysema, but for asthmatic people, wheezing may be a sign that they are in the beginning stages of an attack. They may experience wheezing alongside another asthma symptom, such as tightening of the chest. This makes it difficult to inhale and exhale properly

How to Handle an Attack

First, it is important that anyone suffering from an asthma attack take whatever medication has been prescribed to them for this sort of occurrence. Doctors who know how to treat an asthma symptom, like an attack, prescribe medication such as inhalers to help restore normal breathing. Many people have inhalers which contain medicine in aerosol form, making it easy to get into the body quickly.

If an inhaler is not available, a person can handle an asthma symptom such as wheezing by monitoring their breathing and creating slow, even breaths. They may to three for each inhalation and exhalation mentally or someone can count for them. The counting acts to make the person aware of how quickly they are breathing. Sometimes this is enough to calm the person and the respiratory system enough to return to normal function. If this happens frequently, however, it may be necessary to speak to your doctor about changing your treatment options.

When to Seek Help

If your condition is not improving or seems to be getting worse, despite addressing the asthma symptom with medication and proper breathing, it may be necessary to seek medical attention. If you are alone, you can call an ambulance by dialing 911 or, if you are with others, someone may need to drive you to the hospital. Hospitals deal with many people every day who come in complaining of an asthma symptom such as wheezing or trouble breathing. They often have nebulizers on hand, which are similar to inhalers except that they deliver medicine, mixed with oxygen, in a vapor to the patient's lungs. There are also portable versions of this machine for patients whose asthma symptom is severe enough to warrant needing one on hand. Thus, by knowing how to deal with symptoms, these symptoms can be managed effectively.

Understanding Asthma in Dogs

al — Tue, 18 Dec 2007 19:06:10 +0000

Asthma is very common nowadays both in human beings and animals. Contrary to the popular thought that the illness only affects people, it could actually affect your pets too. In the past years, asthma in dogs has become very common. That coughing, wheezing and overall feeling of shortness of breath can also affect dogs. In fact, there have been some cases of asthma in dogs that eventually led to the dog's demise.

What Happens When a Dog has Asthma Attacks?

Asthma in dogs is very much like that of asthma in human beings. During asthma attacks, the airway passages of the dogs could inflame and become constricted. Like human beings who are having asthma episodes, violent coughing, some wheezing and shortness of breath also characterize asthma in dogs. If not treated properly, asthma in dogs could lead to respiratory distress and other complications. Medication should be give to the dog to help it recover from the asthma episode.

Asthma in dogs could cause loss of appetite and general lethargy. It is very common for dogs to stop eating and loss weight during an asthma episode. However, the good news is that after the asthma episode has passed, the dog will often regain its appetite and overall good health.

Bronchial Asthma in Dogs

Most people would associate bronchial asthma to dogs as triggers and not as suffers. The thing is, asthma in dogs could actually be caused by allergens. Allergic bronchitis is a type of asthma, which causes the obstruction of the airways when the bronchi or the air passages of the lungs become filled up with mucous during an asthma attack.

Diagnosing Asthma in Dogs

If your dog has been coughing for a while and has not been eating well, it is a good idea to bring your dog to the veterinarian for a check-up. An x-ray of the dog's chest should be taken to determine if there are no other medical problems in the dog. Coughing and general lethargy could sometimes mean that your dog is suffering from other respiratory diseases such as pneumonia, thus it is always wise to get a chest x-ray to rule out other possibilities.

Can a Dog with Asthma Still Live a Normal Life?

Most dogs that have asthma can still lead an active life. Except for the times when it may suffer asthma attacks, there isn't really much difference between dogs without asthma and those which do not have asthma in terms of their activities.

Asthma in Children: A Common as Well as Chronic Condition

al — Sat, 17 Nov 2007 09:23:59 +0000

Asthma in children is a very common condition. In recent times, its prevalence as well as severity has greatly increased. Even though a lot of continuous research into the subject has been undertaken, and in spite of new developments in pharmacological agents having emerged, it is still one of the foremost causes that requires emergency care. It also may be one of the main causes why children miss school, and it can make children feel a sense of morbidity, disablement and even results, sometimes, in mortality.

An Important Public Health Problem

Even though the cases of asthma in children are an important public health issue, there are still no determining factors pointing to the causes of asthma in children. Familial and genetic roles for etiology are very important considerations. It is believed that more than half of all children that wheeze with viral infections of the lung while they are still very young are known to have a momentary condition that may not progress beyond preschool years.

It is believed that, in 2004, approximately four million children that less than eighteen years of age had an asthma attack, and there were many others that had hidden or undiagnosed asthma conditions. Asthma in children is a condition that is a cause of concern, and requires that the parent as well as the child understands what asthma is and how to treat it so that there may be better control over it.

A child that is known to frequently cough or shows signs of respiratory infections such as pneumonia or bronchitis may be one of the many asthma in children cases. The same would be case with a child that coughs after having run or cried. Recurrent night coughs are also common to children with asthma, since the condition generally worsens at night.

Asthma in children can also affect infants that may suffer from coughs which are like rattling sounds accompanied by rapid breathing, and they may also have too many episodes of pneumonia or bronchitis or have many instances of chest colds. Also, young children may feel discomfort of the chest along with tightness that may cause them unexplained irritableness.

Often, asthma in children may be attributed to their having certain allergies. Allergic children may have reactions to harmless materials such as pollen, mold, food, and animals. A case in point may be that of a child that is highly allergic to cats, which causes the child to wheeze when near a cat, and thus a remedy for this would be to not let the cat near the child. Knowing the cause of asthma can be quite an effective way of preventing it.

The Advantages of Natural Asthma Treatment

al — Sat, 10 Nov 2007 13:07:36 +0000

Asthma is one of the most common diseases in the world today. In the United States, asthma is one of the leading causes for kids missing school and employees missing their work.

Although there are many pharmaceutical products designed to treat asthma, the prolonged used of these pharmaceutical drugs often lead to many unwanted complications. Furthermore, the body often develops resistance to the drug after a prolonged use of certain asthma medicines.

For people who want to avoid resistance to asthma drugs, natural asthma treatments should be used together with prescription drugs whenever applicable. The good news about natural asthma treatment is that since it is natural, one can be free from any side effects which are associated with synthetic drugs.

What is Natural Asthma Treatment?

Nature has ways of healing the sick. When we say natural asthma treatment, we mean that type of treatment that uses naturally occurring substance such as salt and oils. It is considered natural because the ingredients used during these treatments have not been subjected to artificial methods of processing. In other words, natural asthma treatment utilizes the ingredients in its pure form.

What are Examples of Natural Asthma Treatments?

One of the best examples of natural asthma treatment is speleotherapy or climatotherapy. This treatment, which is popular in Europe, is very natural. The wisdom of this treatment is based on the ancient findings that salt have soothing and curative effect on the lungs. Spleleotherapy relies heavily on the healing powers of rock salts found in many subterranean caves all over Europe.

Since people who have asthma need plenty of rest in a quite place, this treatment involves resting in underground, subterranean caves for about 2-3 hours a day. Depending on the severity of the disease, this natural asthma treatment usually last for 2-3 months. The complete rest and the air filled with salt help relieve the inflammation and constriction of the airway passages which are associated with asthma.

Is Natural Asthma Treatment Effective?

Natural asthma treatment has been proven effective over time. There are many people all over the globe who have been suffering severe asthma, and are now able to live normal lives after undergoing this treatment. In fact, there are many people who used to carry inhalers with them in case they have sudden asthma attacks. These people have not been using their inhalers and have not really had the need to use the inhalers after they switched to natural asthma treatment.

The Prevalence of Allergic Asthma

al — Sat, 27 Oct 2007 12:49:03 +0000

Asthma affects more than 20 million Americans. Of that number, about half have asthma that is triggered by various types of allergies. The symptoms of allergic asthma are the same as other types of asthma: wheezing, coughing and shortness of breath. The attacks can be severe for a person who is exposed to the particular thing that he is allergic to. Because of this, it is a good idea to work with your doctor in determining what you are allergic to and how that allergy affects your asthma symptoms.

In some cases, learning the triggers for your asthma can be the cure for your symptoms, since you might be able to easily avoid the particular item that you are allergic to. In many other situations, the allergic reaction might be in response to something that you cannot avoid, such as dust mites or airborne pollen. In these cases, you and your doctor may need to look at treating your allergies as a way of treating your allergic asthma.

Allergies that can Trigger Allergic Asthma

There are many, many potential allergens in our world. Some are found outdoors, and others live right inside our homes with us. One of the most common allergies that can trigger allergic asthma is animal dander. Allergies to animals can take up to a year or two to develop after the animal has been brought into the home, and can last for up to six months after the animal is removed. Dust mites are another big trigger for allergic asthma. If this is your trigger, you may feel your symptoms after vacuuming your house or making your bed.

Pollen also affects many people, and may be the culprit if you notice an increase in your allergic asthma symptoms at particular times of the year. Indoor molds can wreak havoc on you when you are in basements or damp rooms. Most of these triggers, while common, are difficult to treat through avoidance. You may need to work with your doctor in treating your allergies with medications in these instances. With severe cases, your doctor may recommend immunotherapy as a means for treating your allergies.

Asthma can be a frightening illness to deal with at times. If you suffer from allergic asthma, the first key in treatment needs to be identifying the triggers that cause your asthma symptoms. Once you know how your asthma flare-ups begin, you are on the road to gaining control of your asthma. Control and effective maintenance leads to less asthma symptoms and more peace of mind in regards to dealing with your disease.

What are Asthma Attack Symptoms?

al — Sun, 21 Oct 2007 23:47:50 +0000

Asthma is a scary disease. You can live your whole life and only experience mild complications, or you can live everyday with the fear that you are going to die. These are two extremes on the spectrum, but they are true of most cases of asthma.

Asthma attacks can be life-threatening and even fatal. Knowing the warning signs can help you recognize the impending attack, and allow the time to take the proper precautions and/or medications.

How to Recognize an Asthma Attack

Asthma is a very deceptive disease. Wheezing, trouble breathing, and coughing can usually be attributed to external influences (i.e. smoke, or exercise). But in the case of an asthma sufferer, they might be experiencing the early stages of an asthma attack.

Severe wheezing by itself doesn't have to mean an asthma attack, but when this wheezing is heard and felt while inhaling and exhaling, you might be experiencing an asthma attack. This wheezing isn't just heard, it can be felt when you place your hand on your chest.

If you are experiencing a persistent cough that is accompanied by any other asthma attack symptom, you may be experiencing an asthma attack. Keep in mind that while coughing by itself isn't a symptom, coughing that cannot be controlled or stopped is a good indication that you are having an asthma attack.

Chest pain or pressure is another asthma attack symptom that can be confused with another problem: heart attack. If you are experiencing pain and pressure in your chest, but do not feel that pain radiating to your left shoulder and arm, it is probably an asthma attack. This chest pain is caused by your body's attempt to forcibly draw in air. It can also be caused by your lungs and bronchial tubes constricting.

These are some of the major asthma attack symptoms to be aware of. If you are experiencing one or more of the above asthma attack symptoms; stop what you are doing, administer your medication, find some help, and try to relax. Taking your medicine is very important to your recovery and survival.

If you find that your medication isn't helping, or that you asthma attack symptoms are getting worse, have someone call 911. Don't take chances; calling someone can save your life. Now that you are aware of the 3 main asthma attack symptoms, you know what to look for, and knowing is half the battle!

Is There an Asthma Cure?

al — Sun, 14 Oct 2007 16:13:17 +0000

Asthma is a lung disease that is annoying and can be fatal if not treated. Asthma can be controlled with the proper treatment and medication. Asthmatics can live a long life despite this restricting disease.

Asthma is more than a reaction brought about by running too fast. Asthma is a disease that causes the airways to spasm, or constrict due to a reaction to irritants. If you're allergic to pollen, pet hair, smoke, or freshly cut grass and you have asthma, you are more likely to have an asthma attack.

Asthma doesn't have to be a debilitating disease; you can live a full life if you get treatment. Many people with asthma want to know if there is a cure. Is there an asthma cure? Can you be rid of asthma attacks for good?

Treatment Through Medication

Unfortunately, there is no asthma cure. Fortunately, asthma can be treated with medication supplied by your doctor. There are two main types of asthma medication: anti-inflammatory, and bronchodilators.

Anti-inflammatory asthma medication is a steroid that is delivered to the airway through an inhaler. The steroid (corticosteroid) acts as an airway strengthener, decreasing mucus production, and reducing the swelling caused by a reaction to irritants.

Bronchodilators relax the lining of the bronchial tubes allowing more air to flow through. During an asthma attack, the airways swell and constrict which makes taking a breath much harder. While there is no asthma cure, you can control your asthma with medication to a point where you can live as if you don't have asthma at all.

Treatment Through Lifestyle Changes

If you have asthma that is triggered by environment irritants, you can treat your asthma by simply avoiding those irritants. This isn't an asthma cure, but it is a practical method of relief. Being allergic to pollen doesn't mean avoiding all plant life; it means staying inside during high pollen days, or taking an OTC allergy medicine. If you're allergic to pets, just don't hang around animals. If you're allergic to smoke, avoid coming in contact with a smoker, places that allow smoking, and BBQs.

If your asthma is triggered by strenuous activity, you don't have to cut back on your fun; simply cut back on having too much fun. For example, instead of running a mile in 6 minutes, take your time and jog it in 15. If you have problems climbing the stairs, take the elevator. If you have problems vacuuming the floor or doing normal chores, find someone who can help you.

Not Asthma Cures, Asthma Control

Because there is no cure for asthma, many people see asthma as a death sentence. Asthma doesn't have to be the end of life; it just signals a need to change your lifestyle. Controlling asthma is as easy as learning what your triggers are and dealing with them.