Thursday, November 18, 2010
Monday, November 8, 2010
10 Asthma Triggers And How To Avoid Them
Monday, November 8, 2010
This article has been written by a member of the LifeScript user community or a user from one of our partners. It has not been reviewed by the LifeScript editorial staff for accuracy.
10 Asthma Triggers And How To Avoid Them
Get Tips For Identifying Asthma Triggers
If you or one of your children has asthma, you know how scary it is when asthma triggers cause the familiar wheezing and coughing. There are no cures for this chronic disease, but there is plenty you can do to manage and reduce the number of asthma attacks you experience.
Asthma causes inflammation of the airways, which can make you more vulnerable to certain triggers. When your body reacts to these triggers, the result can be decreased lung function that makes it hard to breathe. By identifying and avoiding asthma triggers, you can reduce the frequency and severity of many attacks and even eliminate some entirely.
Identifying Asthma Triggers
Before you can limit exposure to your trigger for asthma, you need to know what that trigger is. It is helpful during this process to use a peak flow device daily that measures your lung function, so you can see when that function begins to decrease even before symptoms appear. Keeping an asthma diary is a good way to track the asthma triggers; it can let you know how and what factors affected your condition. Since allergies are a common asthma trigger, it might be helpful to run tests to determine if allergies to particular foods trigger asthma symptoms.
Top 10 Asthma TriggersTo help you determine the most likely culprits in your asthma attacks, here are 10 of the most common asthma triggers, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.
Asthma causes inflammation of the airways, which can make you more vulnerable to certain triggers. When your body reacts to these triggers, the result can be decreased lung function that makes it hard to breathe. By identifying and avoiding asthma triggers, you can reduce the frequency and severity of many attacks and even eliminate some entirely.
Identifying Asthma Triggers
Before you can limit exposure to your trigger for asthma, you need to know what that trigger is. It is helpful during this process to use a peak flow device daily that measures your lung function, so you can see when that function begins to decrease even before symptoms appear. Keeping an asthma diary is a good way to track the asthma triggers; it can let you know how and what factors affected your condition. Since allergies are a common asthma trigger, it might be helpful to run tests to determine if allergies to particular foods trigger asthma symptoms.
Top 10 Asthma TriggersTo help you determine the most likely culprits in your asthma attacks, here are 10 of the most common asthma triggers, according to the American Academy of Allergy Asthma and Immunology.
With these tips, you can learn the best methods for bringing asthma triggers under control.
1. Cold Air or Weather Changes
While you may not be able to do much to control the elements, knowing that cold air or wind can trigger an asthma attack will help you stay extra vigilant in your asthma management program.
2. Reflux Disease
This condition occurs when stomach acids creep back up the digestive tract. The result can be pain in the chest and throat – and an asthma attack for some people. If reflux disease is a trigger for asthma, treating the acid reflux with medication and diet changes may significantly decrease your asthma flare ups.
3. Medications
Some medications that can trigger an asthma attack include ibuprofen or beta blockers. If your medication seems to contribute to asthma attacks, talk to your doctor about other options.
4. Emotional Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can't trigger an asthma attack, but they can make you feel tired and run down, which can exacerbate an asthma condition. The solution is to take good care of yourself by getting plenty of sleep, eating a nutritious diet and exercising daily.
5. Smoke
This trigger for asthma could include smoke from tobacco or wood. Don't allow anyone to smoke in your home, and avoid wood-burning stoves or fireplaces.
1. Cold Air or Weather Changes
While you may not be able to do much to control the elements, knowing that cold air or wind can trigger an asthma attack will help you stay extra vigilant in your asthma management program.
2. Reflux Disease
This condition occurs when stomach acids creep back up the digestive tract. The result can be pain in the chest and throat – and an asthma attack for some people. If reflux disease is a trigger for asthma, treating the acid reflux with medication and diet changes may significantly decrease your asthma flare ups.
3. Medications
Some medications that can trigger an asthma attack include ibuprofen or beta blockers. If your medication seems to contribute to asthma attacks, talk to your doctor about other options.
4. Emotional Anxiety
Stress and anxiety can't trigger an asthma attack, but they can make you feel tired and run down, which can exacerbate an asthma condition. The solution is to take good care of yourself by getting plenty of sleep, eating a nutritious diet and exercising daily.
5. Smoke
This trigger for asthma could include smoke from tobacco or wood. Don't allow anyone to smoke in your home, and avoid wood-burning stoves or fireplaces.
6. Strong Fumes
Odors might come from perfumes, paint, chemical cleaners or cooking fumes. Use products that might trigger an asthma attack outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. People who have asthma should avoid these substances completely whenever possible.
7. Other Irritants
Some substances can put particles into the air to trigger an asthma attack, like talcum powder, chalk dust and coal dust.
8. Illness
If illness is one of your asthma triggers, call the doctor at the first sign of flu symptoms so he can prescribe medication to lessen the duration and intensity of your illness. Take good care of yourself during the cold and flu season, and be extra diligent with your asthma management program during this time of year. It is a good idea to get an annual flu shot and talk to your doctor about whether a pneumonia vaccination is a good choice.
9. Exercise
Eliminating exercise is never a healthy choice, even if exercise is a trigger for asthma. By choosing different types of physical activity, you can lessen your risk of asthma attacks from exercise. Good exercise choices for asthma sufferers include golf, baseball, swimming and weight lifting. It can also be helpful to take a fast acting inhaler about 15 minutes before beginning exercise to reduce your risk of a flare up.
10. Allergies
Allergies are the most common of all asthma triggers, affecting 60 percent of asthma sufferers in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic.
Odors might come from perfumes, paint, chemical cleaners or cooking fumes. Use products that might trigger an asthma attack outdoors or in a well-ventilated area. People who have asthma should avoid these substances completely whenever possible.
7. Other Irritants
Some substances can put particles into the air to trigger an asthma attack, like talcum powder, chalk dust and coal dust.
8. Illness
If illness is one of your asthma triggers, call the doctor at the first sign of flu symptoms so he can prescribe medication to lessen the duration and intensity of your illness. Take good care of yourself during the cold and flu season, and be extra diligent with your asthma management program during this time of year. It is a good idea to get an annual flu shot and talk to your doctor about whether a pneumonia vaccination is a good choice.
9. Exercise
Eliminating exercise is never a healthy choice, even if exercise is a trigger for asthma. By choosing different types of physical activity, you can lessen your risk of asthma attacks from exercise. Good exercise choices for asthma sufferers include golf, baseball, swimming and weight lifting. It can also be helpful to take a fast acting inhaler about 15 minutes before beginning exercise to reduce your risk of a flare up.
10. Allergies
Allergies are the most common of all asthma triggers, affecting 60 percent of asthma sufferers in the United States, according to the Mayo Clinic.
The best solution is to reduce your exposure to allergens, although this can be easier said than done. Sometimes it is hard to know precisely what you are allergic to, although allergy testing can identify specific substances.
Treatment of allergies is another option, and can be done with medication or allergen immunotherapy, which is a series of shots designed to desensitize you to known allergens. It is interesting to note that some of the medications that are used to treat allergies are also effective in controlling asthma.
One common cause of allergies is pet dander. Avoid bringing new pets into a home unless the asthma sufferer has been tested for allergies to that specific type of animal. If you already have a pet, keep it out of the asthma patient’s bedroom. Bathe the animal every week or two to reduce the amount of dander in your home.
If mold is a problem, clean moist areas like the kitchen and bathrooms frequently to cut down on this allergen. Since dust mites are another common allergy culprit, reduce this problem by washing all bedding in temperatures of 130° weekly, putting airtight covers on pillows and mattresses. Swap draperies for blinds and shades. It is also a good idea to change furnace filters regularly and dust frequently using a cleaner designed to kill dust mites.
Treatment of allergies is another option, and can be done with medication or allergen immunotherapy, which is a series of shots designed to desensitize you to known allergens. It is interesting to note that some of the medications that are used to treat allergies are also effective in controlling asthma.
One common cause of allergies is pet dander. Avoid bringing new pets into a home unless the asthma sufferer has been tested for allergies to that specific type of animal. If you already have a pet, keep it out of the asthma patient’s bedroom. Bathe the animal every week or two to reduce the amount of dander in your home.
If mold is a problem, clean moist areas like the kitchen and bathrooms frequently to cut down on this allergen. Since dust mites are another common allergy culprit, reduce this problem by washing all bedding in temperatures of 130° weekly, putting airtight covers on pillows and mattresses. Swap draperies for blinds and shades. It is also a good idea to change furnace filters regularly and dust frequently using a cleaner designed to kill dust mites.
Developing an Asthma PlanLearning how to avoid asthma triggers is important in reducing asthma attacks, but a good action plan is also an essential part of the equation. This plan should include daily monitoring using a peak flow device that will alert you to low lung function before symptoms begin to appear.
A daily maintenance medication can reverse and prevent airway irritation and manage flare ups more effectively. You might have an inhaled corticosteroid, an oral medication or a combination of the two. It is also necessary to keep a fast acting inhaler on hand to use at the first sign of a problem.
By following an asthma plan that will help you manage your condition more effectively and avoid the triggers that cause flare ups, you will be on the road to more symptom-free days and less asthma attacks. Partnering with your doctor is an important part of this process; he can help you identify asthma triggers and advise you on the best ways to avoid them. Asthma can be challenging to manage at times, but there are ways to get this condition under control.
Always Consult Your Physician FirstAlthough it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.
A daily maintenance medication can reverse and prevent airway irritation and manage flare ups more effectively. You might have an inhaled corticosteroid, an oral medication or a combination of the two. It is also necessary to keep a fast acting inhaler on hand to use at the first sign of a problem.
By following an asthma plan that will help you manage your condition more effectively and avoid the triggers that cause flare ups, you will be on the road to more symptom-free days and less asthma attacks. Partnering with your doctor is an important part of this process; he can help you identify asthma triggers and advise you on the best ways to avoid them. Asthma can be challenging to manage at times, but there are ways to get this condition under control.
Always Consult Your Physician FirstAlthough it is helpful to get health information by reading and talking with friends, make sure you consult your doctor first before trying any new treatment or changing your diet. Remember that the U.S. Food and Drug Administration does not strictly regulate the strength, purity or safety of herbs and supplements. Be sure to always read product labels. If you have a medical condition, or are taking other drugs, herbs, or supplements, speak with your doctor before taking medical action or changing your health routine. This information is not intended to replace the advice of a doctor. LifeScript disclaims any liability for the decisions made by its readers based on the information provided.
 Asthma attackslearn more >>For information on dealing with indoor asthma triggers in home send request to rick@rlenvirocare.com |
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