Asthma Questions: The Hygiene Hypothesis

Question: I’ve heard something called the “hygiene hypothesis” being referenced when discussing asthma. What is this?

Answer:

The “hygiene hypothesis” is a school of thought presented by certain medical studies, discovered during investigations in to why asthma is seemingly on the rise. While by no means a new condition, cases of asthma have been steadily rising since records began. Certain medical studies have tried to find out why this is, and along with environmental factors, the hygiene hypothesis has been suggested for this rise in cases.

“Hygiene hypothesis” is the term used to describe the fact that, as a species, we are far more hygienic than we have ever been. Most households use strong cleaning products, and young children are not as exposed to dirt and bacteria as they were in the 1950s and 1960s. While this cannot really be seen as a bad things, some studies have suggested that it may have contributed to a rise in asthma cases.

Bacteria in the air, when inhaled, is aggravating – and can cause temporary inflammation of the lungs. This usually manifests itself in coughing. Young children in the earlier parts of the 20th century would have had daily exposure to bacteria due to less rigorous hygiene and cleaning standards; as a result, the bronchi of their lungs would appear irritated. The body would then learn how to deal with this, and calm the bronchi down.

Asthma can essentially be described as a irritation of the bronchi. As children nowadays are not exposed to the same levels of bacteria, their bodies do not learn to ‘calm’ the bronchi in their early life. This, some suggest, has lead to a larger number of asthma cases, as when presented with bacteria now, the body is not as well-versed in how to react.

The Causes of Asthma

The exact causes of asthma are unknown; there is no direct chain of events that effects every single sufferer. There is some evidence that asthma is a genetic condition, as people inherit the tendency towards inflamed airways – the primary problem associated with asthma. If a child’s parents both have asthma, they are statistically more likely to suffer from the illness themselves – but this is not always the case. Similarly, a child can have asthma even if there is no genetic history of it in their family. It really does seem to be the luck of the draw.

People who suffer from asthma are more likely to have allergies, particularly to dust mites and hay fever But again, this is not a certain link: lots of people who have hay fever do not have asthma, for example, just as lots of people who have asthma do not have hay fever

There are no known substances that are thought to actively ’cause’ asthma – though certain things, such as chemicals, allergens and smoke are known to exacerbate an existing condition.

It is natural when you, or someone you know, is diagnosed with asthma to question why it has happened. Unfortunately, asthma is one of the many illnesses that simply do not have a specific and clear-cut cause for why they have occurred. Learning to accept that sometimes, quite genuinely, these things do just happen is an important part of coming to terms with their asthma diagnosis.

Finally, if you are a parent and are concerned about passing asthma on to your children, this is by no means a certainty, so try not to fret.

Asthma Questions: The Hygiene Hypothesis

Question: I’ve heard something called the “hygiene hypothesis” being referenced when discussing asthma. What is this?

Answer:

The “hygiene hypothesis” is a school of thought presented by certain medical studies, discovered during investigations in to why asthma is seemingly on the rise. While by no means a new condition, cases of asthma have been steadily rising since records began. Certain medical studies have tried to find out why this is, and along with environmental factors, the hygiene hypothesis has been suggested for this rise in cases.

“Hygiene hypothesis” is the term used to describe the fact that, as a species, we are far more hygienic than we have ever been. Most households use strong cleaning products, and young children are not as exposed to dirt and bacteria as they were in the 1950s and 1960s. While this cannot really be seen as a bad things, some studies have suggested that it may have contributed to a rise in asthma cases.

Bacteria in the air, when inhaled, is aggravating – and can cause temporary inflammation of the lungs. This usually manifests itself in coughing. Young children in the earlier parts of the 20th century would have had daily exposure to bacteria due to less rigorous hygiene and cleaning standards; as a result, the bronchi of their lungs would appear irritated. The body would then learn how to deal with this, and calm the bronchi down.

Asthma can essentially be described as a irritation of the bronchi. As children nowadays are not exposed to the same levels of bacteria, their bodies do not learn to ‘calm’ the bronchi in their early life. This, some suggest, has lead to a larger number of asthma cases, as when presented with bacteria now, the body is not as well-versed in how to react.

Asthma Questions: Can A Child “Grow Out” Of Asthma?

Question: My daughter is six years old, and I recently took her to the doctor as I had noticed she was occasionally struggling to breathe and was coughing a lot. She was diagnosed with mild asthma and given two inhalers to use, which seem to be doing the job. I have, however, heard that sometimes children of my daughter’s age “grow out” of asthma and it does not effect them as a child. Is there any truth in this?

Answer:

There is actually some truth in this – perhaps not in medical record, but certainly in people’s experience of young children with asthma. Some children do indeed appear to “grow out” of asthma, and do not need to use inhalers or suffer attacks in their adult life.

There are various theories for this; the main one being that a child’s developing lungs are more sensitive, and this can make a mild tendency towards asthma seem more serious than it actually is. When the child grows up, their asthma appears to almost vanish, as their lungs grow and mature.

However, the concept of children never suffering from asthma again in their adult life is very rare – many childhood sufferers will find their illness returns as they age, particularly in their 50s and 60s. Hoping that your child’s asthma will fade away as they grow is natural, though it is important to be realistic. This is particularly true if your child has moderate to severe asthma, as this is less likely to be improved with age.

Learning To Live With Asthma

Asthma is a respiratory illness, caused by an inflammation and subsequent narrowing of the ‘tubes’ of the lungs (medically known as the bronchi). It is largely incurable but is not life threatening, and for many asthma sufferers it is merely a matter of learning to shape their life around asthma and discovering tips on how to deal with it.

When one first receives an asthma diagnosis, there is a natural reaction of shock and upset. Asthma is a chronic condition, and when diagnosed in adults will tend to be with the person for the rest of their life. This shocked and saddened reaction is completely natural, but it is important to focus on the fact that asthma is very, very rarely fatal – and even then, usually only in conjunction with other medical problems.

Asthma is an illness that needs to be recognized in a daily lifestyle, but not given in to. With correct, inhalation-based treatment, the vast majority of asthma cases can be controlled – and the sufferer will live a normal life, providing they take the correct precautions. Asthma does not mean the end of being able to exercise or enjoy life – it merely means learning what works for you, what triggers an attack and how to prevent it.

Simple changes can make big differences to the life of an asthma sufferer. Things like switching from chemical-based cleaning products to natural solutions have great effects, and avoiding smoky places also makes a big difference. Asthma is controllable, and with the correct medication and a little due care and attention, people may never need know someone has it.

The Ins and Outs of Asthma Treatment

Although asthma is defined as a chronic (i.e. long term) illness, it is not usually life threatening – and for most sufferers becomes more of an annoyance than a genuine threat to their well-being. As one of the most common non-life-threatening illnesses in the world, asthma is well studied by medical research scientists, and as a result there are several treatments available.

By far the best known asthma treatment is via medicine inhalation. The primary medicines used in inhalers are beta-2 agonists (for relieving an acute attack of asthma) and corticosteroids (for preventing attacks). These medications come in a variety of doses depending on the severity of the sufferers’ condition, and are inhaled directly in to the lungs using an inhaler (sometimes known as a ‘puffer’). As these treatments go directly to the source of the issue by entering the lungs immediately, they have long been proven to be the most effective asthma treatment.

Another option is steroid treatment, usually in tablet form. However, a course of steroids is usually only ever prescribed following a severe asthma attack – usually of the kind of severity that results in hospitalization The vast majority of sufferers will never need anything beyond their combination of inhalers to deal with their illness.

The concluding option is also only used in the case of a severe attack, though is an option during the attack rather than following it. Nebulizers create a mixture of water and air, through which one can inhale a purer form of the usual medication used in inhalers. Nebulizers tend to be carried on emergency calls and at hospitals, though some sufferers’ of extremely severe asthma may be offered one at home.

Asthma and Cough (Asthma Cough)

Today I would like to discuss a very distressing symptom that many Asthmatics experience, and that is coughing and being unable to take their inhalers.

This can sometimes occur in the winter time with the Asthmatic waking up in the middle of the night coughing or first thing in the morning. A sharp drop in the temperature of the room overnight can cause this; one way of combating the problem is to have a small heater on low in the bedroom each night, thus keeping the room at an even temperature. On saying that please making sure it is a heater that is completely safe and has a good energy rating.  Also make sure that the room has no draughts and that the curtains are closed, so the heat does not escape. We had to to do this for our daughter from when she was a baby.  Now married the practice still goes on!

However, there can be other causes for coughing, but firstly let’s look at what a cough is – A cough is a sudden, explosive exhalation of air. The function of a cough is to clear material from the airways. Coughing is a familiar but reasonable complicated reflex and is one way in which the lungs and airways are protected.

Coughing only occurs when the airways are irritated –

Respiratory infections, either bacterial or viral can irritate the airways and are a common cause of coughing.

Allergies are a big cause of irritation to the airways as well and may cause postnasal drip, in which nasal secretions drain down the back of the nose into the throat and sometimes into the trachea and other airways, where they produce irritation resulting in Coughing.  Many Asthmatics have continuous Post Nasal Drip.

Coughing may also result from gastroesophageal reflux, in which stomach or oesophageal contents flow backward from the oesophagus into the trachea and airways, producing irritation.

We would advise you see expert advice from Your Medical Practitioner/Respiratory Physician regarding the cause of your cough and a management plan tailored to suit you.

That’s all I have for you today on Asthma and Cough (Asthma Cough)

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.

Home Remedies To Soothe Asthma Irritation

While any asthma sufferer should always first and foremost rely on their inhalers and other medication to ease the condition, there are at-home remedies that can be tried. Please note these should be used in conjunction with formal medical treatment, not as a replacement. Ideally, try one of these methods if you have already used your medication and are still experiencing some discomfort.

– Steam

Many asthma sufferers will be well aware that cold air can exacerbate asthma, and the reverse is also true: you may find that warm air is soothing, and may reduce coughing and wheezing in between taking doses of medicine. Rather than directly inhaling steam, fill a bath tub with very hot water and then sit in the room for half an hour, inhaling deeply. This may just get rid of some irritation, and allow for a sufferer to be more comfortable until their next dose of prescribed medication.

– Sit Up

When we are feeling unwell, there is a natural tendency to want to curl up in bed. However, this can have a detrimental effect on asthma sufferers, as being horizontal makes it more difficult to get air in to your lungs – especially if you lay on your back. To ease this, sit up regularly and extend your torso in a stretch while breathing deeply.

– Cover Your Mouth

If you are finding the very act of breathing is making your asthma uncomfortable, try breathing through a cloth or cotton wool. For reasons unknown, this sometimes has the effect of calming asthma irritation down.

–Caffiene

A good strong cup coffee also helps as caffeine opens the airways

Do I or Don’t I? Symptoms and Signs of Asthma

When my daughter was a baby it was very easy for me to get a diagnosis of Asthma from the medical fraternity, in fact they came to me after I had her in hospital as she was so bad and was in a humicrib.  However, others I know have been a little apprehensive to seek medical advice regarding getting a diagnosis as they have been unsure of what Asthma Symptoms are.

On saying that – I urge anyone, not to wait, if you are uneasy about how you are feeling, or how your child/baby is, go to the Doctors and talk to them, it may or may not be Asthma, and it could be something else.

Asthma is a respiratory – lung – based disease, effectively caused by inflammation of the linings of the tubes in the lungs. This, in turn, means the tubes (the medical term is the “bronchi”) are narrowed, making it harder for sufferers to breathe comfortably.

So what are the symptoms of Asthma?

The most common asthma symptoms include:

• Coughing – Coughing from asthma is often worse at night or early in the morning, making it hard to sleep.
• Wheezing – Wheezing is a whistling or squeaky sound that occurs when you breathe.
• Chest tightness – This may feel like something is squeezing or sitting on your chest.
• Shortness of breath- Some people who have asthma say they can’t catch their breath or they feel out of breath or they cannot breath out correctly i.e. feel you can’t get air out of your lungs.
• If you suffer from allergies you may have all the above plus – persistent runny nose, dark circles under your eyes or itchy, inflamed skin

A lung function test done along with a medical history (including type and frequency of your symptoms) and physical exam, is not only the best way to diagnose asthma in my opinion it is the only way for a proper diagnosis.  Self diagnosis is not the way to go, as Asthma is different for each person. Some of the factors listed may not affect you. Other factors that do affect you may not be on the list!

Another question who may ask is why are lung function tests performed and is the test horrible and frightening?

A lung function test (also called pulmonary function tests, or PFTs for short) is performed to evaluate how well your lungs work, basically it determines how much air your  can hold, how quickly you can move air in and out of your lungs, and how well your lungs put oxygen into and remove carbon dioxide from your blood. For most lung tests (meaning most common one performed) you breathe into a mouthpiece attached to a recording device (Spiro meter). The information collected by the Spiro meter is then printed out on a chart called a Spiro gram.

Is it frightening – NO – not at all!

A visit to your Doctor, who will in turn send you to a Respiratory Physician, is the only way to go.

Until Next time,

I wish you and yours the best of Health!

P.S. I highly recommend the following eBooks –

Asthma and Allergy Cure – Drug Free – Natural Asthma Treatment Breakthrough Is 100% Safe, Effective, Proven & Guaranteed. Click Here!

Allergy Relief Revealed – Click Here!

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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.

Tips For An Asthma|Allergy Friendly Home

Asthma is an illness that is easily exacerbated, as sufferers are particularly sensitive to the allergens in their environment, especially in and around their home.  These allergens are in the form of dust, dust mites, cleaning products, pet hair, and pollens from particular plants in the garden.

All these things add up to make an asthma and allergy sufferers life a living hell… … however, things can be done that will dramatically cut down on these major irritants.

When my daughter was diagnosed with Asthma and we found through allergy tests she was hypo-sensitive to so many things, we looked around at what could be done.

One thing she was very allergic to was our beautiful Persian cross cat Fluffy.  It was Fluffy’s fur she was allergic to, so the decision had to be made to re-home our darling cat as she was very much an indoor puss!   Luckily, she found a home with a lovely pensioner lady who had to have her cat put down, as it had cancer.  She was heart-broken and when I told her about our predicament and how for the sake of our baby’s health we had to re-home our beloved cat, she took her on.  This was not a step we took lightly – it broke our hearts – believe me we checked out thoroughly the new home Fluffy was going to and went and visited several times just to make sure she had adjusted to her new environment.

Next thing we did was to take up all our fitted carpets and have timber floors (a great decision it made the home look more spacious and light!) We also got a very good vacuum cleaner which was a Dyson. Knowing what to look for in a vacuum is integral because not all vacuum cleaners are created equally.

We really investigated all vacuum cleaners and the Dyson
came out on top. When looking for a machine you need one that captures dust and does not blow it back into the air, we found that
Dyson
vacuums reduce allergen particles due to its bagless operation and filters. Plus they last a lifetime!!

So daily I used it on the wooden floors and twice a week I used it on the upholstery, curtains, mattresses and pillows. One thing I will remind everyone, when vacuuming is don’t forget the spots you can’t see, such as those behind furniture, out of sight may be out of mind, however, dust in these spots are still present.

A lot of work you might say, well yes and no, when you think vacuuming regularly can drastically reduce allergy triggers in the home which will lower the dependence on medications you or your child has to take it’s a no brainer decision really.

So what else can you do around your home to help?

Mould and Mildew –

The vast majority of people will keep a clean house, but it is essential that if you do see mould – particularly mildew – building up around window frames or on ceilings, that you remove it.

Mould and Mildew can make an asthma and allergy sufferers very sick as the particles of bacteria get in to the air and are subsequently breathed in to the lungs causing untold irritation.

Clean with tea-tree oil and warm water for a thorough result.

And then there are those –

Household Cleaners –

Any cleaning product that uses harsh chemicals is to be avoided if you’re looking to create an asthma/allergy friendly home. Read the label. Cleaning supplies can sometimes increase allergen levels. Reading the label to identify hazardous chemicals is important when looking for cleaning supplies, wherever possible, substitute natural ingredients – such as the aforementioned tea tree oil or an old staple such as white vinegar – for chemical-mix products.  Avoid bleach wherever possible. I have listed a few things below to help you.

White Vinegar: use to clean windows and glass for a streak-free finish, and to tackle stubborn stains. Ideal for showers – yes tiles and glass.

Bi-Card Soda: A wonderful all-purpose cleaner to be used wherever you previously may have used bleach.

Tea tree oil: a natural anti-bacterial substance, tea tree oil works well anywhere you wish to rid yourself of germs.

Bees wax: better, and cheaper, than conventional furniture polish.

By switching to these products, you’ll not only save money but will vastly improve the air quality for anyone suffering from asthma. Everyone wins!

There is a great eBook I would recommend for everyone, it has recipes for 100% natural products – go and check it out – The What For and How To “Blenders Delight” Everyday Aromatherapy Recipe Guide is a TOP SELLER – and has  Jam-packed 64 pages filled with Superior content.

Gardens:

You need to have plants and trees that are pollinated by birds and insects rather than by the wind (release their seeds into the air) Plus can do the following –

-      Weed regularly.

-      Replace lawn with bricked or paved areas.

-      Avoid rye grass.

-      Replace mulch with pebbles or gravel.

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.

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