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.

Wood, grass and undergrowth smoke from hazard reduction burns and/or the bush fire itself contain extremely harmful gases, including carbon monoxide, nitrogen oxide, carbon dioxide, organic compounds of all varieties which could irritate sensitive airways and trigger an attack.

The first to feel the effects of the particle pollution cased by the smoke are those suffering asthma, babies, children, the elderly and those suffering with any kind of lung disorder.

Just as you would need to update your Asthma Management Plan in spring, you really need to visit your Doctor and go over your Asthma Management Plan, and discuss the “What If’s” and get a plan to cover these.

Smoke can be worse if you live in a Bushfire prone area; however, even if you live in a city, the smoke travels and the air quality is greatly diminished.  So do not be lured into a false sense of security.

Please avoid doing any physical activity outdoors, or let your asthmatic child play outdoors when there is smoke around.

If you live in a bushfire area as I do and my daughter does, when there is smoke from fires in the area, you should stay indoors, close all windows and doors and block all air vents and use a filtered air conditioner to circulate air UNLESS ASKED TO EVACUATE.

Make sure you continue using your preventer medication as set down on your Asthma Management Plan plus make sure you have PLENTY of your RELIEVER medication with you at all times. When my daughter was little I got my husband to drill a 2 small holes in the reliever case at the top, taking out the puffer of course and put some pretty ribbon on it and put it around my daughter’s neck so she would have it on her AT ALL TIMES.  In fact she still does this today, when there is smoke in the air due to burn offs or bush fires in the area.

It is also wise if you live in a bush fire zone to keep extra RELIEVER puffers with your important papers that you would take with you if you needed to be evacuated.  Also where-ever you live in hot summer weather please do not keep extra inhalers in the car, the heat destroys the effectiveness and you don’t want to be in a situation where you desperately need the reliever and it doesn’t work!

Smoke does not dissipate quickly, I am sure I am not telling you anything you don’t already know you, that darn smoke haze can hang around for days and often times more, should there be a few fires in the area.  If you or your asthmatic child/children do need to go out side during this time, which you will, please wear a face mask as a precaution.  If your child hates this, make it into a game, even be one step ahead and make the face mask into something special.  You can get good face masks from the pharmacy; just explain to them what you need it for, they will be very happy to help you. When your child is asleep, make it into something nice, and hide it away until it is needed.  I made and added whiskers onto my daughter’s when she was little and made it look more like the bottom of a cats face.

What’s next – Oh Yes -

ALWAYS remember, seek medical attention if your chest gets tight or your child’s chest gets tight, if there is any shortness of breath and the reliever does not help.  It is much better to quickly get help than to suffer a bad attack.

In Australia and I am sure for most other countries, there are usually publicised announcements through local newspapers, radio and TV about hazard reduction burn offs, bush fires and also AIR QUALITY so familiarise yourself with these.

Until Next time, I wish you and yours only the very best of health!

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.

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.

During spring and sometimes in summer the combination of pollen, moisture and extreme changes in air pressure with rapid movement can lead to the rupturing of pollen grains creating much smaller particles carrying the allergens. The gusty winds from thunderstorm downdrafts spread these allergens which can be inhaled deep into the lungs causing severe and in rare cases life threatening attacks especially with those people who have not taken their asthma medications. (Pollen itself is too large to be inhaled into the lungs).
According to the Asthma Foundation “this phenomenon was originally shown to occur with rye grass pollen, but is now thought to occur with other grass pollens and perhaps some tree pollens as well. There is also some evidence that these smaller particles from pollens may occur after rain and that the wet conditions associated with thunderstorms and rain also greatly increase the amounts of fungal spores in the air - If your asthma symptoms get worse during thunderstorms, it may be best to stay indoors with the windows closed if you are able to”.

The following news story was released just recently regarding an upsurge in cases of Thunderstorm Induced Asthma reporting to the Alfred Hospital.

Please always have your written Asthma Management Plan up to date, carry your Reliever medication with you at all times.

Until Next time,

I wish you and yours only the best of Health.

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.

If you eat a good selection from the above list, it should/could provide a diet rich in vitamins and minerals.

So what fresh produce should you put into your shopping cart?

I fill mine with heaps of Pumpkin, butternut squash, sweet potato all 3 varieties that you can get here the purple, white and orange skinned varieties, zucchini, carrots, egg plant, fresh beans, peas, mushrooms, fresh beetroot, apples, all citrus, grapes, melon, garlic, need I go on? I think you get the picture.

I also buy tinned legumes and tomatoes.

Another thing I do is make my own yogurt, which then has live cultures in it, which are good for your stomach and digestion. I make all my own breads, cakes and biscuits, using Spelt Flour, however that is my choice, and I know not everyone has the time to do this, so try and buy Spelt Bread, it is so nutritious and if you buy your yogurt, try and buy a good quality one.

With Meat and poultry, buy as lean as possible, and when buying fish, make it Oily fish, which is richer in Omega 3.

I have listed the following 3 magazines that I get through subscription; they give heaps of great recipes. You never need be bored. If you’re very busy and working, make extra and freeze, then when you don’t feel like cooking, you do not have to buy take out.

Healthy Cooking

Diabetic Cooking

Fine Cooking

One thing I am adamant about though, is the use of supplements. This is my choice, everyone has a choice, and I choose to do this because I believe, we do not know how rich the soils were in nutrients when the food was grown, how long the food has been sitting in storage, and even which country it has come from most of the time.

So I take a good quality Multi-vitamin and mineral, plus a Live Probiotic capsule, one which I buy from the pharmacy, they keep it in the fridge, and I keep it in the fridge. Probiotics are needed for your digestion and also help to keep your immune system healthy. I like to take extra even though I make my own yogurts, which are full of them.

I also take a good quality Fish Oil to get more Omega 3’s even though I do eat Fresh Oily fish 3-4 times per week, plus have canned tuna for lunch nearly every day. My daughter also takes what I take plus a little more. She also has Grapeseed extract everyday, plus in winter she takes a Vitamin C, plus a Garlic and Horseradish Capsule and every other day Echinacea and Zinc.

Have supplements helped? The resounding answer is yes, since my daughter has been taking them and adding extra to her winter regime, having viruses 3 to 4 times in winter are a thing of the past. It is very rare she gets sick, plus she has not had an Asthma Attack for years. She takes precautions every step of the way as she wants to keep it that way. She knows what it is like to be rushed to an emergency centre at a hospital, unable to breath.

If you asked her about supplements, her answer would be this “I know some people think it doesn’t help, for me it has. Some people have said to me, I am peeing out money; well I would rather pee out a little money and know that my body is as fit as I can get it, and I stay well and not get sick all the time. I have a baby, I have a husband, I have a life, and I take precautions to safe guard my life. I have a disease that can kill; I want to be around to see my great-grand children”

Just one more thing before I go, on the supplement issue. You get what you pay for, please make sure if you decide to go the supplement route as well as the good nutrition route, that you buy quality.

The Next thing you must do for your body is have lots of water. Heaps of fluids are vital to your body working correctly. Water, coffee, tea, and juice, as well as water-filled foods such as fruit, vegetables, soups, and stews all help keep your body hydrated. One thing both my daughter and I do for our families is make this juice of a morning and they drink it with their breakfast. It is yummy, so pen and paper ready to take down the recipe?

1 peeled medium sized fresh beetroot, 6 large apples, 2 carrots. Juice and serve. You would need to play with the amounts, depending on the size of your family. Remember, when juicing, you need to consume it within 10 minutes of making, or it looses its impact.

I hope my 3 posts have helped you in some way, remember, without our health, everything else in life cannot be enjoyed to its fullest.

Until Next time,

I wish you and yours the best of Health!

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http://twitter.com/BestAsthmaInfo

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

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.

I would ask that you discuss this matter with your Doctor or Respiratory Physician.  I wish for you a winter full of joy and easy breathing.  Maggie

Please everyone, your medications are there as a preventative as well as in an emergency, please do not be a part of the statistics that climb in winter due to being rushed to the emergency department of the local hospital, to have them try to save your life, due to your bad management of non medication taking which is always part of any asthma management plan.

So lets move on, next I would like to talk to you about cold air, that can trigger an attack, so if it is very cold, windy or snowing, use a scarf or a mask over your nose and mouth to warm the air you breath in.  I know that you would be exercising, because it is good for your lungs and heart etc, so if it is too cold outside, drive to your local BIG shopping centre that is covered, and walk briskly around that 2 or 3 times. If you do exercise indoors at home, make sure that the room is well ventilated and warm.

Another thing I have noticed, especially with my daughter, is that she drinks less in winter, because it is cold, I have to remind her to this day, to drink more fluids, as a well hydrated body is needed by everyone, but especially asthmatics.

So what else can you do?  Let us take a look.

Wash your hands with soap regularly and use sanitiser wipes or gel to clean surfaces or objects you touch daily. You don’t even have to buy from a shop, you can make your own sanitiser bug blend using Essential Oils – saves money as you can use the oils for a myriad of other things  PLUS using them in my opinion is a lot Healthier for you.

EASY to Make Your Own, Step By Step Instructions! Click Picture

NEVER use pens provided by banks or shops to sign credit card slips when purchasing items, use your own.

Wipe Shopping Troller Handles with sanitiser wipes or you own bug buster blend before using.

Avoid sharing dishes, towels, cups or silverware with other people, in fact if you are going to buy a cup of coffee when you’re out shopping, ask for it in a take away cup.  I know, I know what you’re thinking, HOWEVER, it is your health we are talking about, and a winter without wheezing should be the aim.

Avoid people who are sick, and stay home if you’re unwell yourself, why?  Most colds spread through the air when someone with an infection coughs or sneezes. You can inhale the viruses, however, you’re more likely to get sick if you touch your eyes, nose or mouth after handling a contaminated object i.e. pens, doorknobs, handles of shopping trolleys etc.  You know, it is amazing, just how you can bounce back by taking a day to rest and take care of yourself.  Children especially are resilient and 1 day indoors with your love and care, when they are not feeling the best, is sometimes all it takes.

You know I have so much more to tell you, there are still things my daughters and I do with our families to prevent seasonal asthma. Honestly, at first I thought this would be a 2 part post, but look out for post 3 with heaps more on the subject.

Until Next time,

I wish you and yours the best of Health!

Follow Us on Twitter

http://twitter.com/BestAsthmaInfo

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.

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.

So what PREVENTATIVE measures can be done to try and lessen the impact on the asthmatic.

However, before we go on, let’s just remind ourselves of one thing the lungs of the asthmatic are already irritable and react to the slightest thing.  So if any virus or allergens irritate the lungs, it can bring on an asthma attack faster than most people realise.

So enough said, lets now look at some very simple measures that can help.

Once summer is over and we go into what is a gorgeous season Autumn (Fall) make an appointment with your Doctor and have the latest Flu jab and discuss your asthma management plan, discuss any problems you came across following the plan your Doctor had you on or any other problems you may have encountered.

Make sure you have enough prescriptions for both lots of your inhalers.  It is VITAL that you follow to the letter you asthma plan during the winter season.

My daughters Asthma Management Plan to this day, has a list of triggers that she MUST avoid, plus a list of specific symptoms that she and those close to her need to be very watchful about, including coughing, wheezing and even the slightest shortness of breath.

She always has her medications with her; HOWEVER, also has a spare set in the glove box of her car, at work and in her husband’s car.  There is no such thing as being “over cautious” when a condition you have can turn life threatening with a few seconds.

Can you spot something we haven’t mentioned yet?  I am going to mention it, but I just wonder if you could spot it – Yes – Peak Flow Meters!

Your Peak Flow Meter should be used daily and if you are feeling a little tired or unwell without any other symptoms, used more than once a day as it can help you avoid a potential crisis if your peak flow drops by taking more medication (as advised by your Doctor and should be written in your plan for such events).

Just as a reminder of the zones in your Peak Flow Meter and what they mean

(Note: Taken from the American Lung Association’s Recommendations)

• Green Zone: Peak flow reading of 80%-100% of your usual “personal best” peak flow reading. The green zone indicates good asthma control.
• Yellow Zone: Peak flow reading of 50%-80% of your usual peak flow reading. This indicates that your asthma control is not optimal. You may or may not notice symptoms such as cough or wheezing. Your asthma needs to be addressed according to the asthma action plan set up by you and your doctor.
• Red Zone: Peak flow reading of less than 50% of your usual reading. This indicates poor asthma control needing rescue medications. Make sure to follow your asthma plan regarding use of rescue drugs and seeking medical attention

It is advisable that during the winter season, you try as hard as possible to stay in the green zone, and if you start to drop into the yellow, you are guided by your Asthma Management Plan plus contact and even visit your Doctor is you start to drop into the yellow zone.

So ~ That is part 1 – Part 2 will cover other “little” tips which have a dramatic effect on you staying healthy and saying “Wheeze,wheeze go away – I will not let you into my life another day!” ~

Oh by the way, my daughter and in fact our whole family, use these little tips to remain healthy during this season so come back for part 2!

Until Next time,

I wish you and yours the best of Health!

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P.S.  My Daughter also used air purifier in her home, especially in her bedroom.

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!

Follow Us on Twitter

http://twitter.com/BestAsthmaInfo

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.

Understanding your asthma is the key to controlling it and you can do this by learning how to use your MDI inhalers correctly. By doing this your Asthma should not dominate your life no matter how severe your asthma is. Most sufferers continue with their usual lives with no issues whatsoever.  

My Daughter is a prime example of someone who has chronic asthma, but lives a normal life. In fact when a child, she swam, was in a dance troupe, doing jazz ballet, had a pony on which she went riding everyday. Groomed and mucked out the stables. Granted, there times if she caught a virus, where she was slowed down some, however, life went on as normal as she was given her medication correctly and ALWAYS had her Reliever/Rescue Inhaler at arms length.

One must realize that when properly medicated, asthma is, for the majority, easily dealt with.

The key weapons in your arsenal against asthma are your inhalers – you must have a complete understanding of your medication or your child’s medication.  

The first step in getting to know your metered dose inhaler is to understand the medicine that it contains. Asthma medications are divided into 2 types:

“Preventative Inhalers”

Preventative inhalers are exactly as the name suggests, and are to be used as prevention rather than a cure for asthma. They tend to be steroid-based, and are designed to prevent asthma attacks.

“Reliever or “Rescue” Inhalers”

If the preventative inhaler has not been able to fully do its job, the reliever steps in. The reliever is the inhaler you need when you are suffering an attack or when the symptoms of a pending attack are present and is designed to combat the problem quickly and effectively.

I will not go into which is which and how to identify which one etc in this blog post, as different countries have different colored inhalers plus each person is an individual will have an asthma plan to suit THEIR needs. (If you do have one, you need to talk to your doctor!)

I advise you to speak to your Respiratory Physician to ensure you know which inhaler is which and how and when to take if effectively, plus ask for a Patient Advice sheet on each medication, so you fully understand what each inhaler contains, any side effects – for instance my daughter used to get the shakes for a few minutes after taking one particular medication – this apparently was normal so the more you know about the medication being prescribed the better.

Until Next time,

I wish you and yours the best of Health!

Follow Us on Twitter

http://twitter.com/BestAsthmaInfo

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

Answer:

Asthma is predominantly identified in children, who are more susceptible to the inflammation of the lungs that causes asthma. Almost 90% of cases are identified before the sufferer reaches the age of 16, as a combination of children being easily distressed and monitoring by their parents helps to pinpoint the illness.

It is, however, completely possible for someone to get in to their 30s or 40s and only then is it discovered that they have asthma. While the illness can suddenly manifest itself – usually due to a lifelong exposure to an asthma irritant, such as certain chemicals or allergens – in most cases, late-diagnosis asthma is not due to a sudden development of the condition. Usually, if it takes 20 or 30 years to identify the condition, it is relatively mild and has not presented much of a noticeable problem for the sufferer until then. This is quite usual, and simple things like moving in to a more polluted environment or beginning a new job around chemicals may make a long-hidden asthma condition become known.

The prognosis of adult-diagnosed asthma is very good, providing you are willing to learn how to use your inhalers properly and how best to manage the condition. Read up as much about the illness as possible to inform yourself, as it is always better to be safe than sorry.

Answer:

First and foremost, consult your doctor. If you are experiencing any breathing difficulties at all, it is important to get things checked with your doctor.

At said appointment, your doctor will perform a number of checks to see if they can confirm a diagnosis of asthma:

- Listen To Your Chest

Your doctor will listen to your chest using a conventional stethoscope. Asthma is caused by a narrowing of the airways due to irritation, and this affects the way your breathing sounds. By listening to it, your doctor will have a firm idea of asthma may be the cause of your troubles.

- Perform A Peak Flow Reading

A Peak Flow Meter is a device used to determine the strength at which a person can exhale; someone with asthma is not likely to be able to exhale forcefully, and will have a low peak flow reading. The measurement is taken by blowing in to a small circular tube with a gauge at the top, and takes only a few seconds. This will be a key part of assessing whether or not you have asthma.

- Giving You Inhalers To Try

If the above tests, along with your detailed symptoms, suggest that you may be suffering from asthma, you will begin experimental treatment. Your doctor will prescribe two inhalers for your daily use, and you will return to see them within a fortnight. At this point another Peak Flow reading will be taken; if the reading has improved on the previous one, this is due to the inhalers, confirming you need them and thus confirming asthma.

- Smoke: tobacco smoke is a major stimulant of asthma and can in fact worsen the conditions over time.

- Strong cleaning products: any cleaning product that contains strong chemicals is to be avoided. There are plenty of natural product solutions which will leave your home just as clean, but your lungs far more healthy.

- Certain medications: penicillin (primarily used to treat infections) and aspirin (used in pain relief) can exacerbate asthma. Use substitutes wherever possible, such as paracetamol in place of aspirin when you have a headache.

- Swimming pools: not for the water, but for the chlorine. As mentioned with cleaning products, any strong chemical will have an adverse effect on asthma sufferers. Always check with a pool venue before using it to see if the pool is chlorinated.

- Menstrual cycle: women may be more prone to asthma attacks during their menstrual cycle or during pregnancy, due to the hormonal changes and imbalances that occur during this time.

- Stress: an asthma sufferer is far more likely to experience an attack when they are stressed, nervous or panicked than they are when they are feeling emotionally stable. It is especially important to control your temper if you have asthma.

The above is just a brief grounding in the many stimuli of asthma; avoid them wherever possible, and also note down any stimuli that seem applicable to your experiences.