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.

Exercise-Induced Asthma

There is great debate among the medical community on the issue of “Exercise-Induced Asthma”. This is a type of asthma attack that occurs at a particular time; namely, during or after exercise.

Exercise-induced asthma is caused by airway narrowing brought on by vigorous exercise. The symptoms are a wheeze, breathlessness, cough and/or chest tightness — which may start during exercise but in many cases can start up to 10 minutes after exercise.

Why it happens is not very clear however, the most common school of thought is that it may involve loss of heat and water from the airways as they try to warm and moisten the incoming air.

Exercise induced Asthma is problem no matter what your age, and is quiet common in children, and I would urge you to work with your respiratory physician and take his/her advice on how you manage this condition, as everyone is an individual.

The benefits of exercise are not to be understated, everyone should exercise everyday, and children are no exception.  The fitter you are the better you are, the more manageable the asthma.  In fact, exercise improves your heart and lung fitness which is vitally important.

Asthma Council advises the following strategies to help prevent Exercise Induced Asthma

• warm up before you exercise;  (Everyone should do this even though they do not have Asthma)
• keep as fit as possible;  (Again, everyone should heed this)
• exercise in an environment that is warm and humid;
• avoid exercising in environments where the air contains a lot of allergens
• Breathe through the nose or consider using a mask.

Again I urge you to consult with a physician so you can get the best exercise/sport plan possible for you or your child. .Many, many elite athletes and other celebrities have asthma, they have not let it stop them doing what they want – if you or your children feel discouraged because you have asthma, why not Google “Celebrities who have asthma” or “Athletes who have asthma” and be inspired!

I have recommended some books (see link – Exercise Induced Asthma) that I Guarantee will be a great help to you and your family.  They should be on everyone’s shelf!

Until next time

I wish your and your family the best of health!

exercise induced asthma

How To Cope With An Asthma Attack: Sufferers

As anyone with asthma will know, worrying about suffering an asthma attack (medically known as an “acute exacerbation” of asthma) is something that prevails throughout life and can sometime limit what a person does.  For example I know one person who will get an asthma attack if they go anywhere near fireworks, so to go and view fireworks displays in person is a big NO!

One would hope that an asthma sufferer has a well managed care plan given by a Respiratory Physician.

So what does happen in an Asthma Attack?

During an asthma attack, the muscles around the airways tighten, or “spasm” (like when you make a fist), the lining inside the airways swells or thickens and gets clogged with lots of thick mucous. This unfortunately has the effect of making the airways much skinnier than usual so it is harder to move air in and out of the air sacs. Thus making it harder to breathe!

During an asthma attack, it is harder to breathe out than it is to breathe in. This means that during an asthma attack, it takes much longer to breathe out than it does to breathe in.

But what to do, if and when an attack happens, firstly one must keep in mind that when an attack hits, dealing with it effectively is an absolute essential. While the vast majority of the work will be done by your prescribed medication, there are things you can do to shorten and hopefully cease an attack:

Many people do take their Inhalers when they start to feel their chest tighten – thus preventing an acute episode, but if one does happen -

Remain Calm.

No one is disputing that asthma attacks – no matter how familiar they are – are frightening. It is a natural human instinct to want to be able to breathe and when an asthma attack prevents this, we naturally panic.

However, this can actually may an attack worse. A side effect of panic itself is shortness of breath – something that you don’t need when you’re already suffering an asthma attack and finding it hard to breath out.

Try and keep calm throughout, wherever possible.

– Don’t Snatch For Breath.

As part of the panic response, we are inclined to ’snatch’ for breath – that is, short and sharp breaths that do not actually meet our oxygen needs. As these breaths do not actually help an attack, all they can do is increase panic – and you don’t want that.

– Use Your Medication

That’s what it’s there for. As soon as you feel an attack coming on, reach for your inhalers or any other medical equipment you have to relieve an attack. Always keep your inhalers with you where-ever you go.  If possible always have spares available.

Please do not forget if you are at all worried call the emergency ambulance number for the country you live in.

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Why not take a look and read about why it has been getting 5 star rave reviews!

Until Next Time

I wish you and your family the 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.

How To Cope With An Asthma Attack: Non Sufferer

If you, as a non-sufferer, have ever witnessed an asthma suffering enduring an asthma attack, you will know how terrifying an experience it can be and is it any wonder – never have experienced an attack yourself, it is only natural for you to imagine the worst and panic.

So, if you have a friend or family member who is prone to asthma attacks you must be armed and ready to help them and yourself, should an attack happen when you are around.

Firstly, let me say – YOU must – KEEP CALM,

Secondly let me say you must – KEEP CALM

Thirdly let me say – KEEP CALM

Why are we emphasising this?

Well …Keeping Calm. – This may sound obvious, but it is VITALLY important.  Asthma attacks are often very distressing for the sufferer (and those watching) and any anxiety or panic can actually make an attack worse. So if they see you panic – they may panic thinking things are a lot worse than they really are and will make the attack worse. Therefore, if you are with someone when they suffer an attack, it is essential that you keep calm, don’t panic AND reassure them.

The next step is – Look for Their Inhalers.

Most asthmatics have the very tools they need to quell an attack close at hand: their inhalers.

Asthmatics tend to keep these handy, so if you are going to the home of an asthmatic or going out in public with them, ask them where their inhalers are located – so you can grab them at short notice.

Monitor the Situation – In rare instances, you may need to call for medical assistance if someone you know is suffering from an asthma attack. Call for emergency help if any of the following occur:

- Inhalers and other medications do not seem to be helping.

- The sufferer loses consciousness.

- The sufferer cannot use their medication and thus the attack is continuing for longer than it should.

Just be alert, aware and calm.

The vast majority of situations will need no outside help at all, and will pass without incident.  HOWEVER, if the breathing does not settle down, call the emergency ambulance number for whatever country you live in.

There is an amazing book found in our store called The Inflammation Syndrome which I highly recommend you read

Until Next time,

I wish for you and your family “Good 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.

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