How To Test For Voc Levels At Home
Get an air quality tester, such as . If youre looking for something a little more good looking that you could display on a coffee table, say, you could go for .
I highly recommend getting an air quality tester because it is a relatively inexpensive way of finding out the VOC contamination levels, as well as other common air pollutants in your home. Otherwise, getting your air quality tested by a lab, , may cost you about 100-150$ extra.
How To Prevent Feline Asthma Attacks
Once your cat is diagnosed with feline asthma, you have several options for lifestyle changes that can help reduce recurring asthma attacks, depending on the severity of the case. The first and most obvious thing you’ll need to do is to try to eliminate the environmental allergens that are causing respiratory distress in your cat. Some will be easy others more complicated or expensive. Some of the most common triggers of feline asthma include:
Does Asthma Get Worse At Night
Asthma is worse at night than during the day because the body is in a supine position, and you have a higher exposure to allergens than you would when walking around. Exacerbated symptoms make it difficult to sleep and cause coughing, wheezing, and sneezing. We recommend a humidifier, air purifier, and keeping your bedroom clean to reduce indoor allergens.
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Does Melatonin Improve Sleep In Asthma
Researchers have revealed that the hormone melatonin plays a vital role in improving the sleep cycle in asthma patients. Melatonin helps in regulating human circadian rhythms and is believed to have sleep-inducing activity. Additionally, melatonin studies suggest that it affects smooth muscle tone and inflammation too. Both of which helps in improving the sleep cycle for asthma patients at night.
What Happens During Asthma Attacks
Asthma attacks may start as minor but if not managed effectively, can turn dangerous. During an asthma attack, the airways become swollen and constricted more than usual. Breathing properly becomes quite tough. Some signs of an asthma attack are:
- Wheezing while breathing in and out
- Extremely rapid breathing
Read More on Asthma Causes & Triggers
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Does Honey Treatment Help In Improving Sleep With Asthma
Coughing is one of the symptoms of nocturnal asthma, which can be reduced by taking two teaspoons of honey with warm water or cinnamon before you go to bed. Honey can increase saliva production, which can ease your cough by lubricating your airways and reduce inflammation in the bronchial tubes that causes breathing difficulty.
Move Away From Triggers
The presence of asthma triggers wont only cause an attack, they can also make your symptoms worse. Be sure to try to get away from things that may be triggering your asthma attack.
For example, if youre in an area where people are smoking cigarettes, you should move away promptly.
Its also important to know your triggers. Common triggers include:
- allergens, such as pet dander, pollen, or certain foods
You should always be sure to seek immediate emergency medical treatment if you experience any of the following symptoms during an asthma attack:
- your symptoms continue to get worse even after treatment
- you cant speak except in short words or phrases
- youre straining your chest muscles in an effort to breathe
- your shortness of breath or wheezing is severe, particularly in the early morning or late-night hours
- you begin to feel drowsy or tired
- your lips or face appear blue when youre not coughing
Symptoms that indicate that you could be experiencing an asthma attack include:
- severe shortness of breath
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How Steam Therapy May Help Relieve Asthma Like Symptoms
An interesting statistic is that the U.S. region with the lowest rate of asthma is the South. This despite the fact that many Southern states, such as Mississippi and Alabama, have the highest rates of other chronic health conditions, such as type-2 diabetes and obesity.
Now think about the climate in the South: hot and humid. Contrast that to other hot-weather regions like the Southwest that are hot but dry. Having the countrys lowest asthma rates located in the South is probably more than a coincidence.
This association of hot, humid air with respiratory relief is consistent with research by German scientists at the University of Munich. Between the years 1983-86, these researchers did a series of experiments at the Institute of Medical Balneology and Climatology that found that steam baths helped relieve upper respiratory problems and improved asthma symptoms. In addition, steam therapy helped those suffering from bronchitis by loosening mucus and phlegm while reducing coughing.
This benefit was clear in a dramatic study by researchers in India who applied steam therapy to subjects with severe acute lower respiratory tract infection. Those suffering from bronchiolitis received steam therapy in a cloth tent. Within 24 hours, patients receiving steam therapy showed a significant decrease in respiratory distress
What Are The Complications Of Pneumonia
Anyone can experience complications from pneumonia. However, people in high-risk groups are more likely to develop complications, including:
- Breathing difficulties: Pneumonia can make breathing difficult. Pneumonia plus an existing lung disorder can make breathing even more difficult. Breathing difficulties may require a hospital stay to receive oxygen therapy or breathing and healing assistance with the use of a breathing machine .
- Fluid buildup in the lungs : Pneumonia can cause a buildup in the fluid between the membranes that line the lungs and the inside of the chest cavity. It is a serious condition that makes breathing difficult. Pleural effusion can be treated by draining excess fluid with a catheter, chest tube or by surgery.
- Bacteria in the bloodstream : The bacteria that cause pneumonia can leave your lungs and enter your bloodstream, spreading the infection to other organs. This condition is treated with antibiotics.
- Lung abscess. A lung abscess is a pus-filled cavity in the lung that is caused by a bacterial infection. It can be treated by draining the pus with a long needle or removing it by surgery.
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Can Coffee Control Asthma
First, and perhaps most obviously, hot coffee gives off steam. During an asthma attack, air passages swell and narrow, making it harder to breathe and causing wheezing or shortness of breath. Steam from hot liquids, hot showers, or saunas can help open the airways. Steam also helps with complications such as bronchitis and coughing by loosening up mucus.
The second benefit of coffee is probably why most people drink it: caffeine. Caffeine, while not as strong as asthma medication and inhalers, can also open up the airways and keep your muscles from working too hard. Even low amounts of caffeine can improve lung function, and the effects can last up to four hours.
Finally, brand new research out this month confirms previous findings that compounds found in bitter foods may actually help respiratory cells relax. Researchers have long thought that only our taste buds sensed bitter compounds, but it seems that several other cells in the body also recognize them, including muscle cells in the lungs which cause breathing difficulties when they contract. Interestingly, these muscle cells contain receptors for no other types of tastes.
However, on this last point, coffees healing powers remain limited. Simply drinking a cup wont get you all the benefits of the bitter compounds, although your throat may feel better and more relaxed! The good news: scientists are currently working a way to capture these compounds and deliver them to the lungs in an aerosol, like an inhaler.
Will A Hot Shower Help An Asthma Attack
Yes, steam from a hot shower is an alternative medical methodfor relieving bronchospasm from an Asthma attack. The steam willhelp the muscle and bronchospasm to relax, partially relieving thesymptoms of the asthma attack.
However, it must be noted that the priority treatment for anasthma attack is to administer the prescribed bronchodilator,usually by means of an inhaler. Common bronchodilators includesalbutamol, terbutaline sulfate and adrenalin.
If a patient presents with signs of an asthma attack, ask themto stop what they are doing, rest, and administer the prescribedmedication. Be prepared to have medical assistance dispatchedshould the condition worsen.
Reassuring the patient, as opposed to putting them in a hotshower, can often be more effective. Keeping the patient calm, freefrom stress and panic will lessen the need to breathe erraticallymaking the patient feel less short of breath.
Monitor the patient closely and administer a second dose of themedication if the condition does not improve within five minutes.Call for urgent medical backup if the patient can no longer speakdue to lack of air, has gone unconscious or complains that theasthma attack is the worse they have ever had.
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Natural Cures For Asthma
First on the list of natural cures for asthma is water cures.
For the complete water cures protocol, go to Water Cures. Numerous stories from people who use this all say the same thing, it is the simplest of the natural cures for asthma and it works.
There are other cures for asthma that involve water as well.
How To Stop Wheezing In Elderly
Similar to children, wheezing may attack elders frequently. Often, wheezing is accompanied by some kind of respiratory illness in elders. So, wheezing in elders is a sign of a health condition to look for. Since it is recommended not to go for self-medication or OTC drugs without a doctors prescription for wheezing in elders, you can buy a vaporizer. Vaporizers enable peaceful sleep in elders at night.
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Wash Your Bedding Weekly
If you can, wash your bed sheets and blankets in hot water once a week. A water temperature of at least 130 degrees Fahrenheit kills most allergens and bacteria. After bedding is washed, dry it on the hottest setting possible. The high heat kills any remaining allergens and sterilizes the material.
Dont place the clean bedding back on the mattress unless its completely dry. Damp bedding can lead to mold and mildew growth, triggers of nighttime asthma symptoms.
What Are The Benefits Of Sauna Steam Rooms For Asthma
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Home Remedies For Wheezing
Wheezing can be worse over time if you do not plan to treat. In the first period of wheezing, you can apply home remedies for wheezing which are safe and efficient. Also, you do not need to see a doctor.
Here are the top 20 most effective home remedies for wheezing which you can easily try out at home to effectively get rid of wheezing and strengthen your respiratory system.
Eucalyptus Oil For Asthma
Eucalyptus oil is effective for treating number of respiratory problems including cold, cough, running nose and even asthma too.
It has anti-bacterial, anti fungal, anti viral and anti inflammatory in nature which makes a good ingredient in many medicines that treats respiratory problems.
Asthma is the condition that affects millions of people these days.
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How To Help A Cat During An Asthma Attack
One of the scariest moments for you and your cat is when your cat experiences an asthma attack. Below are the most important steps to help your cat during an asthma attack.
Stay cool, calm and collected
Just like humans, cats are very aware and responsive to their environment. If they see you freaking out or panicking, it will only make them more stressed and worsen the severity of the asthma attack.
Administer asthma medication
If your cat has asthma, you should have been subscribed some form of medication to administer from your veterinarian during an asthma attack. Make sure you keep this medication in an accessible place in your house so it is easy to access.
Take your cat to a place with fresh air
While we dont recommend taking your cat outside due to allergies, it is important to find a place that is relatively cool with fresh air. You should make sure the room does not have a lot of noise and is away from other pets and humans. It is important that you take your cat to a room that does not have a lot of dust.
Contact your veterinarian
Depending on the severity of the attack, this might be the first step you should take. In extreme cases, you might have to bring your cat in for an emergency operation.
Top Tips For Indoor Air Pollution
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What To Do If You Have An Asthma Attack
If you think youre having an asthma attack, you should:
Never be frightened of calling for help in an emergency.
Try to take the details of your medicines with you to hospital if possible.
If your symptoms improve and you do not need to call 999, get an urgent same-day appointment to see a GP or asthma nurse.
This advice is not for people on SMART or MART treatment. If this applies to you, ask a GP or asthma nurse what to do if you have an asthma attack.
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Know The Four Steps Of Asthma First Aid
Its important for everyone in the community to know the four steps of asthma first aid.:
If you are not sure if someone is having an asthma attack, you can still use blue reliever medication because it is unlikely to cause harm.
- the person is not breathing
- their asthma suddenly becomes worse
- the person is having an asthma attack and theres no blue reliever medication available.
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Care Advice For Asthma Attack
What Are Common Asthma Attack Triggers
An asthma attack happens when someone comes in contact with substances that irritate them. Healthcare providers call these substances triggers. Knowing what triggers your asthma makes it easier to avoid asthma attacks.
For some people, a trigger can bring on an attack right away. Sometimes, an attack may start hours or days later.
Triggers can be different for each person. But some common triggers include:
- Air pollution: Many things outside can cause an asthma attack. Air pollution includes factory emissions, car exhaust, wildfire smoke and more.
- Dust mites: You cant see these bugs, but they are in many homes. If you have a dust mite allergy, they can cause an asthma attack.
- Exercise: For some people, exercising can cause an attack.
- Mold: Damp places can spawn mold. It can cause problems for people with asthma. You dont even have to be allergic to mold to have an attack.
- Pests: Cockroaches, mice and other household pests can cause asthma attacks.
- Pets: Your pets can cause asthma attacks. If youre allergic to pet dander , breathing in the dander can irritate your airways.
- Tobacco smoke: If you or someone in your home smokes, you have a higher risk of developing asthma. The best solution is to quit smoking.
- Strong chemicals or smells.
With asthma, you may not have all of these symptoms. You may have different signs at different times. And symptoms can change between asthma attacks.
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