Asthma and Smoke, Bushfires and Asthma

Even though this post is dedicated to bushfires, the effects for the asthmatic are the same in heavy smogged areas caused by log/coal fires.

That said – let’s get on with the post.

Summer time in Australia and other parts of the world can be particularly problematic for people with asthma if they have a bushfire problem.

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Thunderstorms and Asthma

Hello everyone,

This latest post is one that I think is so very important. It doesn’t matter where in the world you are, this can happen – Thunderstorm induced asthma.
As you know, thunderstorms more often than not combine heavy rain, high humidity and strong winds.

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Seasonal Asthma, Asthma Winter, Best Asthma Info, Part 3

Welcome back, I have so much to tell you today, this is the third post regarding, Seasonal Asthma, Asthma Winter.

Following are more things that you can do to keep you or your asthmatic child healthier this winter. In fact the tips you pick up today, will benefit everyone in your household, not just those suffering this debilitating life threatening disease.
So, let’s get on the same page here and all agree when we suffer from colds, flu and other bugs and Asthma attacks, we feel like poop and have a general lack of energy, motivation and enthusiasm. That said; now let’s look at what we can do with Nutrition to help our immune system stay on top of its game. No. No come on, stop that groaning, I heard you – it is not that hard honestly. Look studies have shown that a good diet, rich in good quality vegetables, fruit, lean protein, low fat diary, whole grains, adequate sleep and a little exercise all helps your immune system stay healthy which in turns promotes faster recovery from illness.

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Seasonal Asthma, Asthma Winter, Best Asthma Info, Part 2

Welcome back, I hope that you have all got your Asthma Management Plan out and up to date, and that you are now taking your Peak Flows daily.

I did have an email from a reader who asked me if he should still take his Asthma medication in winter, even if his Peak Flows were OK and he was feeling fine.  I emailed back immediately and will make my reply public.

“Dear ________, many thanks for your email.  I am not a medical practitioner, however, I feel you should take all medications even if your Peak Flows are in the correct zone and you are feeling fine.  Winter can be a tricky time for asthmatics, with attacks triggered at any time due to the many and varied triggers winter can bring especially the nasty viruses that inevitably get spread from one person to another.

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Seasonal Asthma, Asthma Winter, Best Asthma Info, Part 1

One thing that my daughter hates is the onset of winter due to the varying temperatures, plus the smog that appears in many areas due to people having log fires and the inevitable viruses that people catch. These people invariably spread their germs due to bad management of their symptoms plus many people seem to have an inability to cough and sneeze into tissues and then dispose of them correctly and then disinfect their hands.

Does this Sound familiar??

Harsh words you may say, sorry if you think that, but we have to “Call a spade a spade”!

It is an indisputable fact that as winter arrives so do the cold and flu and with this the number of people dropping like flies due to catching the virus.  For Asthma sufferers and those with suppressed immune systems or any chronic condition it can spell disaster.

For the Asthma sufferer even a simple cold virus can trigger a major asthma event let alone catching the ‘flu.  Hospitals report that in autumn (fall) and winter the number of hospital admissions or those seeking help in the emergency departments increase dramatically.

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The Asthma Epidemic – Do you know the facts?

Asthma was first recognized and named by Hippocrates circa 450 BC

Asthma is a condition that affects the airways – the small tubes that carry air in and out of the lungs. Asthma involves only the bronchial tubes and does not affect the air sacs (alveoli) or the lung tissue (the parenchyma of the lung) itself. Asthma is a lung disease that makes breathing difficult for nearly 23 million Americans, including 7 million children plus it is common in industrialized nations such as Canada, England, Australia, Germany, and New Zealand, 1 or 2 kids out of 10 are affected.

Asthma attacks can last minutes to days and can become dangerous if airflow to the lungs becomes severely restricted. Asthma is a chronic condition characterized by inflammation of the airways in the lungs and by the spasm of muscles surrounding these airways, these attacks may occur at anytime, but there are risk factors that can trigger an attack.

Asthma can’t be cured, but its symptoms can be controlled, causes can be different in each case, and therefore individualized therapy is wise and in fact I would state PARAMOUNT.  Asthma affects people of all ages, but it most often starts in childhood however, one must realize they can happen for the first time at any age.

Asthma and allergies are the most common chronic childhood diseases, characterized by recurrent attacks of breathlessness and wheezing, which vary in severity and frequency from person to person. Symptoms may be mild, moderate, or severe and often runs in families meaning you can inherit the tendency to get inflamed airways.

One thing that Asthmatics should do is limit time spent outdoors on high ozone days.

Symptoms of an asthma attack can include wheezing, coughing, chest tightness and shortness of breath. Symptoms range from mild to moderate to severe and can be life-threatening.

Treatment

Treatments, along with removing triggers, aim to restore normal activities of daily living by reducing the frequency, severity, and length of your asthma attacks.

Lung

Lung function tests and skin tests can help to confirm the disease.

Attacks can be triggered by stress, anxiety, cold air, smoke, or a virus. Attacks are caused by the airways over-reacting to certain environmental factors, and can be only occasional or frequent.

Medications

Medications that provide long-term relief include corticosteroids, beta agonists, leukotriene modifiers, Cromolyn, and Nedocromil.  Medications can reduce the symptoms of asthma a great deal, but may not be able to eliminate coughing fully.

Allergy

Allergy plays a key role in about half of all asthma cases.

Breathing

Breathing becomes harder and may hurt, and there may be coughing.

Severe

Severe asthma attacks may require emergency care as they can cause death.

Inhaler

Inhalers (sometimes called “puffers”) contain a gas that propels the correct dose of medicine either when the top is pressed down or on inhalation (some inhalers may be dry powder inhalers).

Allergens

Allergens also may originate from food and food additives and pollens.

Research

Researchers are beginning to see that exposure to certain irritants when you are very young may play a role in the development of asthma. Researchers have also found a link between asthma and obesity.

Exposure

Exposure to irritants, certain chemicals, or substances in your workplace may increase your chances of developing occupational asthma.

Asthma cannot be cured, but appropriate management can control the disorder and enable people to enjoy a good quality of life. Asthma is classified as:

Mild intermittent: Having mild symptoms up to 2 days a week and 2 nights a month.

Mild persistent: Having symptoms more than 2 days a week but not more than one time in a single day.

Moderate persistent: Having symptoms once a day and more than one night per week.

Severe persistent: Having symptoms throughout the day on most days and often at night.

I invite you to go to my new blog on Asthma and take a look, you will find so much information there, plus a store where you can INVEST in YOUR HEALTH or the HEALTH OF YOUR FAMILY.

Until Next time,

I wish you and yours the best of Health!

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Disclaimer

It is important to note that information contained in this post is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.

The Link Between Asthma and Allergies

I believe that this is a very important link.

Understanding medicine is a complex business that requires years of study, often to prove beyond a shadow of doubt things that sufferers of illnesses have long accepted as fact.

I know from hard evidence that allergies play a big role in asthma.  My daughter is allergic to cats – getting near a cat causes asthma attacks so bad, she can be hospitalized.  Plus she is allergic to other things that can trigger attacks. So let’s explore further …

Over recent years Asthma and allergic diseases have increased dramatically. In fact Australia has the second highest prevalence of asthma in the world; 1 in 4 children, 1 in 7 teenagers and 1 in 10 adults. The reasons for this are unclear. However, we do know that according to 2005 stats:

Around 4 in 10 Australians had allergic disease and more than 8 in 10 Australians with asthma had positive allergy test results.

Now that is only in Australia – what would the stats be worldwide??

So What Exactly is an Allergy?

An Allergy occurs when a person’s immune system reacts to substances in the environment that do not bother most people.

These substances are known as allergens and are found in house dust mites, pets, pollen, molds and foods.

These people who are allergic to such things are said to be atopic and may have a genetic tendency to develop allergic diseases. When atopic people are exposed to allergens they can develop an immune reaction that leads to allergic inflammation (redness and swelling).

This can then cause symptoms in the:

• nose and/or eyes – allergic rhinitis/conjunctivitis (hay fever)
• skin – eczema, hives
• Lungs – Asthma

So what Role does Allergies play in Asthma?

Most people with asthma are atopic meaning they suffer from allergies and allergens may be that VERY important trigger factor that can make their Asthma worse.

Let us look at a couple of examples – I know causes attacks.

When a person -

• vacuums or dusts as this causes house dust mite allergens to become airborne
• visit a house where a cat lives (as in the case with my daughter)
• Is outdoors when there are high levels of pollen in the air.
• visits cities with high pollution levels

Then unfortunately, there can be what I would call – Occupational Asthma Triggers –

• health care workers allergic to things like hand sanitizers, gloves etc
• Bakers allergic to flour dust.
• Builders allergic to concrete
• Waitresses allergic to coffee beans

The list can go on.

Some Asthma triggers you cannot control, however, exposure to some allergic triggers can be reduced or just plain avoided, after all improved control of your asthma must be paramount.

If you or a family member suffers from Asthma, you should have a good management plan and be working with your Specialist Physician to minimize attacks – many of these Physicians may even ask that the sufferer undergo some allergy tests so a clearer picture of asthma triggers can be known.

Until Next Time

I wish you and your family the best of health!

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Disclaimer

It is important to note that information contained in this post is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Any questions regarding a medical diagnosis or treatment should be directed to a medical practitioner.