Video: What Happens After Being Diagnosed With Asthma
Transcript of ‘What happens after being diagnosed with asthma?’
0:00 It can be really scary to be told you have asthma and it’s natural to worry about how it might affect your life. The
0:08 good news is that there’s lots of support out there to help you manage the condition and to help you to stay well.
0:15 You may wonder if your asthma can be cured. Well, even though we don’t have a cure for asthma at the moment, there’s so much we can do with the right medicines,
0:25 the right treatments, the right advice and support to help you stay well, so that the asthma won’t affect your life,
0:31 whether it be work or your play. You might find that when you’re just diagnosed with asthma it takes a little
0:38 bit of time to get your medicines just right so that you are living without symptoms every day. Be patient, hang on in there.
0:47 The most important thing is to develop a really good relationship with your doctor or nurse. With them you can draw up an asthma action plan, which you can
0:56 download from our website. That’ll really help you to manage your asthma well, and we know that you’re four times less likely to need to go to hospital if
1:04 you’ve got one of these. So, if you have just been diagnosed with asthma, try and stay positive. There’s so much you can do to stay well. You can visit our website,
1:14 or phone one of our friendly asthma nurse specialists, or even join a forum. Remember that we’re here to help.
Dust Mite Allergy Management And Treatment
Make changes to your home and to your routine:
- Remove wall-to-wall carpets, curtains, and drapes particularly in the bedroom.
- Keep pets out of the bedroom, and preferably out of the house.
- Minimize household humidity.
- Use mite-proof cases on mattresses and pillows wash bed linens frequently in hot water.
- Wear a mask when cleaning
- Keep the relative humidity in your home less than 50%
Can Asthma Reappear In Adults After Disappearing Years Ago
Asthma is usually diagnosed in childhood. In many patients however, the symptoms will disappear or are significantly reduced after puberty. After age 20, symptoms may begin to reappear.
Researchers have tracked this tendency for reappearing asthma and found that people with childhood asthma tend to experience reappearing symptoms through their 30s and 40s at various levels of severity.
Regardless of whether your asthma is active, you should continue to avoid your known triggers and keep your rescue medications or prescriptions up-to-date and handy in case you need them.
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Tips To Reduce Exposure To Indoor Pollution
To reduce air pollution in your home:
- avoid all cigarette smoke in your home
- clean mould or damp from all surfaces
- make sure all heaters and gas appliances are vented correctly and inspected every year
- avoid fan-forced ducted heating because it circulates dust choose radiant heating instead
- avoid wood stoves or make sure the doors to the stove fit tightly
- avoid using open fireplaces
- avoid household products that can irritate the airways such as cleaning products, paints, varnishes, pesticides, perfumes and soaps.
How Many People Have Dust Mite Allergy And Asthma
Sometimes people with allergies will feel like theyre all alone. The symptoms can be annoying or debilitating depending on the severity of symptoms.
Dont worry youre not alone. Millions of people in the U.S. have allergies and many more experience asthma.
According to the American College of Allergy and Immunology, more than 50 million Americans suffer from allergies making it the 6th largest contributor to chronic illness.
Some people are allergic to pollen or bee stings, while others are allergic to certain foods. People with dust mite allergy usually experience other environmental allergies as well .
Asthma affects more than 24 million Americans and a large percentage of people with asthma are children. When allergic asthma is triggered it creates swelling and mucus production in the airways that make breathing difficult.
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Dust Mites Trigger Dna Damage
This is not the first study to show that asthma can harm a persons DNA.
Last year, Robert Schiestl, Ph.D., a professor of pathology, environmental health, and radiation oncology at the UCLA Schools of Medicine and Public Health, and his colleagues found signs of genetic damage in the blood of people with asthma.
Doctors previously thought this kind of genetic damage was limited to the lungs.
The new study builds on this research to provide a better understanding of the mechanisms involved in a worsening asthma attack.
The researchers focused on the dust mite allergen because up to 85 percent of people with asthma are allergic to it.
In one experiment, Engelward and colleagues exposed the lungs of mice to proteins taken from dust mites in order to trigger an asthma-like condition. This resulted in several changes in the lungs.
shows that house dust mite dust exposure causes inflammation, reactive oxygen species, DNA double-strand breaks, damage to proteins, and apoptosis, Schiestl said in an email to Healthline.
Can You Get Asthma From An Air Conditioner
Can you get asthma from an air conditioner? Not exactly, but if the unit producing the air indoors is dirty or has a duct system that has not been cleaned it could be worsening any asthma symptoms for anyone susceptible to the illness.
Most of the time air-conditioned air is good for people with the disease because they are protected from outdoor allergens and irritants that can worsen their condition or trigger an attack. This article covers more about how clean indoor AC can help asthma and other respiratory issues rather than worsen them.
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How To Reduce Dust Mites At Home
Its impossible to get rid of dust mites completely. But there are some things you can do to try and reduce their numbers.
Some of the ways to reduce dust mites take effort or cost money, and you need to do several things routinely to reduce dust mites enough to notice a difference to your symptoms.
It might help to start with things you can do easily and cheaply:
- Think about giving away some cushions, soft toys, rugs, or other things which gather dust.
- Wash bedding, like sheets and blankets, once a week at 60 degrees to kill dust mites.
- Wash soft toys regularly at 60 degrees. Put soft toys that can’t be washed at 60 degrees in a plastic bag in the freezer first and then wash them at the recommended temperature.
- Use a damp cloth when youre dusting, which stops the dust from getting into the air.
- Clean and vacuum regularly to keep dust levels down.
- Keep windows and doors open when you can, and if possible avoid drying lots of washing indoors dust mites like damp, humid environments.
- Focus your efforts on the rooms where you or your child spend the most time, like bedrooms and the living room.
If you can, you could also:
Asthma guidelines do not recommend ionisers
Ionisers give out electrostatic charges to clean the air, but there’s no evidence that they improve asthma symptoms.
Latest guidelines do not recommend using an ioniser because some research shows that they increase night time cough in children.
Or you can WhatsApp them on 07378 606 728.
Tips To Reduce The Risk Of Airway Infections
Colds and viruses like flu are a very common cause of asthma symptoms. After an airway infection, people with asthma are more likely to develop complications, such as pneumonia or bronchitis.
To reduce the risk of an airway infection, such as colds or flu:
- get tested for COVID-19 according to local health advice.
COVID-19 protocols have shown us how beneficial these measures can be to avoid respiratory infections.
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Tips To Reduce Exposure To Cigarette Smoke
Aim for a smoke-free environment, both for yourself and your children. If you smoke, speak to your doctor about quitting. If you are pregnant and you smoke, your child is at much greater risk of asthma. Babies of mothers who smoke are 4 times more likely to develop asthma.
Do not allow anyone to smoke in your home. Smoking in a small area like a car is especially bad and opening the windows does not help. Even if you do not smoke near your children, the smoke remains in your clothes and can still affect children.
Talk to your doctor about how to quit smoking. There are a range of effective medical prescriptions available to support this important step. Call Quit Tel. .
How To Get A Diagnosis
The first thing to do is book an appointment. Your GP or an asthma nurse can help confirm or rule out a diagnosis of asthma.
They can do this by:
- talking about your symptoms, what sets them off, and when you get them
- asking if anyone else in the family has asthma
- finding out if you, or anyone in your family, have other allergies, like hay fever
- testing how your lungs are working
- listening to your chest for any sounds of wheezing
- prescribing asthma treatments to see if they make a difference
- considering any other symptoms that might suggest something else.
Asthma tests
Alongside a full clinical assessment by your GP, youll need some asthma tests to confirm or rule out asthma. Your GP can see how your lungs are working with tests like peak flow, spirometry, and FeNo .
Your GP can usually perform these tests during the appointment, and you can see the results straight away. But you may need to do tests again on another day before your GP can confirm you have asthma.
You may be given a peak flow meter to use at home for a couple of weeks. This is so you can record your own peak flow scores in a diary.
When you take it back to your appointment, your GP or asthma nurse will be able to see a pattern of scores that could suggest asthma.
Trying out asthma treatments
Your GP or asthma nurse may prescribe asthma treatments to see if they help. This is sometimes called a trial of treatment.
If your symptoms start to get better, it suggests you could have asthma.
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What Is The Best Way To Live With Asthma
The key to good living with asthma is developing a strong partnership between patients, caregivers, and physicians. Practical steps include the following:
Make an asthma care management plan with your physician. An asthma management plan helps you understand what to do when specific situations arise. Each time you visit the physician, talk about your plan, and make any necessary changes.
Educate yourself. Stay informed about the latest developments in asthma and allergy care and treatment. Ask your physician about new medications or research findings that may relate to your care.
Get regular medical care. If you have asthma, you should see your physician at least once a year, even if your symptoms are under control. When you become sick, or if you have significant changes in your health, you should also talk with your physician about how your asthma could be affected.
Take your medicine. Your asthma medications will make you feel better and sometimes people think thats the time to stop. Its not! Use your medications as prescribed.
With good management, asthma symptoms can be controlled. Most people who develop adult onset asthma are able to lead normal lives. Expect success!
Can Acid Reflux Cause Shortness Of Breath
Acid reflux shortness of breath often happens at night. It is caused by acid rising up in the back of the throat where it can enter the lungs and cause the airways to swell. This is the reason for acid reflux in lungs symptoms, such as coughing and choking.
Young adults with nocturnal reflux breathing problems are more likely to have asthma and respiratory symptoms . Researchers have also found a relationship between GERD and obstructive sleep apnea syndrome , a condition in which breathing can be interrupted during sleep, which affects the bodys oxygen levels.
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Common Asthma Triggers In Your Bathroom
Everyone uses the bathroom. Depending on your personal allergies, the asthma triggers found in the bathroom can be problematic.
MoldThe bathroom usually has a warm, wet environment the perfect condition for mold growth. Since mold loves damp surfaces, its important to control the humidity of your bathroom and clean all possible surfaces from the shower curtain to the grout in the titles thoroughly and regularly. Water leaks can also encourage mold to grow behind walls and underneath the floor, so make sure to have all your pipes checked.
Cleaning Products or Air FreshenersThough you certainly want to keep your bathroom clean to prevent the growth of mold and other bacteria, common cleaning products are known asthma triggers. Bleach, glass cleaner, laundry detergent, and even air fresheners, can be harmful to your lungs and have the potential to cause an asthma attack. Using natural cleaners and proper ventilation can go a long way in preventing the exacerbation of asthma.
Dust MitesAs mentioned above, dust mites are frequently found in humid environments and thus they are not only relegated to the bedroom mattresses or pillows. If you have hard-to-reach spots and corners in your bathroom that may accumulate dust, you may find more dust mites in these locations.
What Else Can I Do To Prevent Heartburn
While we would never advise you to simply continue to endure side effects caused by a medication you are taking without talking to your prescribing doctor about them, there are things you can do to attempt to achieve symptom relief yourself.
The steps you can take to treat your heartburn fall into roughly three categories:
- Using over-the-counter medications to treat heartburn
- Turning to natural heartburn remedies
- Making lifestyle changes, including going on an acid reflux diet
Over-the-counter antacids heartburn medications can, themselves, produce side effects you really dont want if you take them for long enough. You dont necessarily want to add diarrhea, kidney stones, and osteoporosis to your list of health problems! You will also want to consult with your pharmacist before you take over-the-counter heartburn medications to make sure they will not interact with the medication you are already using.
Natural heartburn remedies, which include chewing gum for half an hour after eating making sure you dont eat anything after 7 pm , and going for walks after your meals will not harm you in any way, even if they do not cure your heartburn.
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If Your Asthma Symptoms Are Caused By Allergies Take Steps To Control Knownor Potential Triggers In Your Environment
Allergy-proof your house for dust, mold, cockroaches, and other common indoor allergens to which you are allergic.
Reduce your outdoor activities when the pollen count or ozone level is high.
Choose foods that dont contribute to your asthma or allergy symptoms.
Evaluate your workplace for possible allergens and take the necessary steps to reduce your exposure to them.
In order to determine relevant triggers, you may want to seek consultation with an allergist who can further define these triggers.
In addition, anyone with asthma should consider getting an annual flu shot. Older adults also should talk with their internist about getting a pneumonia vaccination.
Who Should Be Concerned About Dust Mites
People with allergies to dust mites or with asthma triggered by dust mite allergies need to reduce dust mites in their homes. Older homes, homes located in regions with humid climates, lower income residences and homes where a musty or mildew odor is present are more likely to have high concentrations of dust mites.1
Dust mite allergens, unlike pet allergens, do not usually stay airborne. They cling to particles that are too heavy to remain in the air for long. Dust mite allergens settle within minutes into dust or fabrics, such as pillows, bedding or upholstered furniture, which serve as nests. Most exposure to dust mite allergens occurs while sleeping and when dust is disturbed during bed-making or other movements.2
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How Can Adult Onset Asthma Be Managed
If you manage your asthma, you can expect to lead a normal lifestyle. Basically, there are four key steps to managing asthma successfully:
1. Learn about asthma and stay up-to-date on new developments.
2. Take prescribed medications. Dont make any changes until you check with your physician. Dont use over- the-counter medications unless prescribed by your physician!
3. Check your lungs daily at home by using a peak flow meter. Asthma patients often can detect lung changes with a peak flow meter before they actually experience any changes. Visit your physician regularly for further in-office tests. Lung testing is painless and provides valuable data that helps your physician make adjustments in your medication.
4. Make an asthma management plan with your physician. A plan establishes guidelines that tell you what to do if your asthma symptoms get worse.
The Relationship Between Gerd And Asthma
Kristi M. Isaac, BS, PharmD, AE-CClinical Assistant Professor of Pharmacy PracticeXavier University of LouisianaNew Orleans, Louisiana
US Pharm.
Asthma is a chronic airway disease characterized by airflow obstruction, bronchial hyperresponsiveness, and inflammation.1 There are many triggers and comorbid conditions that have been shown to increase asthma symptoms and/or precipitate asthma exacerbations. The Expert Panel Report 3: Guidelines for the Diagnosis and Management of Asthma recognizes gastroesophageal reflux disease as a comorbid condition of asthma and recommends medical management of GERD in appropriate patients.1
The relationship between asthma and GERD has been discussed for many years. In 1892, Sir William Osler described an association: severe paroxysms of asthma may be induced by overloading the stomach, or by taking certain articles of food.2 Although these two disorders often occur together, the relationship between GERD and asthma remains unclear. This article will review the prevalence, proposed pathophysiology, and treatment recommendations for persons with both asthma and GERD.
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