Allergies And Asthma

A host of other things can bring on an asthma attack in susceptible people. These include: Respiratory infections Irritants Industrial fumes and dusts at work Air pollution Exercise Nighttime Weather Emotions Hormonal changes Health problems Respiratory Infections Asthma can be made worse by common colds, sinusitis, and influenza (the flu). Viral infections are known triggers […]

Triggers are things that can make asthma worse in susceptible people by irritating inflamed airways. Here is a list of common triggers: Allergies Yes No Pollens (trees, grasses, ragweed)     Molds     Animals and animal products (dander, wool, feathers, down pillows)     Insect parts and dust mites     Note: Dust is

There are two completely different types of asthma medications, and they are used for completely different purposes: Medications to prevent asthma symptoms from developing Medications to relieve asthma symptoms once they’ve started Need To Know Medication to prevent asthma attacks will not relieve an asthma attack. They are intended to prevent attacks, not treat it. They do

Knowing how airway inflammation prompts asthma symptoms, researchers have developed powerful “preventer medicines” for asthma that halt inflammation in a number of ways, including: Stopping the production of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation Blocking the release of these harmful chemicals from the cells that make them Competing with these harmful chemicals so as

Asthma medications that relieve the muscle spasms responsible for narrowing of the airways are called reliever medicines. The medications that best accomplish this are the bronchodilators. (“Bronchodilate” means to open up the airway, and that’s exactly what these medications do.) Points to keep in mind concerning the bronchodilator drugs include: They relax the airway spasms

Currently there are eight classes of drugs available to treat asthma: Trade names Generic names Preventer drugs and drugs to control persistent asthma symptoms   1.Inhaled corticosteroids –These medications block the production or release of inflammatory chemicals in the body. Few side effects are produced by the inhaled drugs because of their local action in the

Many of the drugs given to prevent and treat asthma are inhaled. Inhaled medications do not have to be processed in any way by digestive organs in order to start working. Instead, they travel directly to the lungs, produce their effects quickly, and cause relatively few side effects. Several different inhaler devices are available to

The peak flow meter is an important device that can give you valuable information about your air passages. Peak flow measurements provide a very simple way of measuring how quickly air can be forced out of the lungs. Why Should I Do Peak Flow Monitoring? Measurements of forced expiration are important in the overall assessment

An asthma action plan is a written plan developed by your doctor to help in the management of asthma episodes. It is a customized plan that tells you what to do based on changes in your symptoms and peak flow numbers. It is also called a crisis intervention plan, asthma self-management instructions, or written guidelines

Asthma is an unwelcome intruder in a person’s life. It is a chronic lung disease and it can’t be cured. But there are several unique features of the disease that are not found with most other respiratory diseases. Asthma is reversible. With good treatment, the damage to the lung can be reversed or minimized. It

Ideally, your early warning signs such as a feeling of tightness in your chest, wheezing, coughing, and restlessness while trying to sleep will have given you the extra time you need to take the steps outlined in your personal action plan. If the episode is just beginning: Follow the instructions in your action plan. Take

If you are pregnant and have asthma, you should try to learn all you can about the drugs you are taking to control your asthma. Good asthma control is essential to provide the oxygen your body and the fetus needs. Your doctor will work out the asthma plan best suited to your needs while you