Avoid Exposure To Allergens Or Irritants That Cause Asthma Symptoms
The best way to prevent asthma at work is to minimize the sources of indoor and outdoor air pollution. Some key steps to solving indoor air problems are to identify the sources, remove the sources, and make sure the ventilation system is working properly and the airflow is not blocked.
One of the most important steps you can take to prevent asthma symptoms is to identify what you are being exposed to at home and at work that may be causing your asthma to flare-up. Some exposures in the work environment have been associated with causing asthma symptoms.1 You may think of an industrial workplace or dirty job as a place where you may be exposed to things that could make your asthma worse. But, exposures to allergens and irritants in indoor office spaces are equally as important to consider when you have asthma. Office buildings can be a threat to lung health if not properly maintained. Below are ways to avoid exposure to allergens or irritants while at work:
Identify your asthma triggers at work.Learn ways to limit your exposure to things that make your asthma worse or avoid them all together. Asthma triggers found in the workplace include:
- mold
- cleaning chemicals and scented personal care products
- pests
- stress
Outdoor workers who have asthma also face risks of breathing problems from exposures to outdoor air pollution, especially for jobs on the road and near roadways. Common triggers for outdoor workers include:
- Outdoor air
Omalizumab For Atopy And Asthma Prevention
Omalizumab has been shown to significantly decrease asthma related symptom days, fall and spring exacerbations, hospitalizations, and need for inhaled corticosteroids. In the Preventive Omalizumab or Step-up Therapy for Fall Exacerbation study, treatment with omalizumab also decreased the risk and duration of rhinovirus infections, and minimized viral shedding. By antagonizing IgE, omalizumab may limit both the allergic and virally-induced airway inflammation that underscores asthma pathogenesis and play an advantageous role in prevention. Mechanistically, blocking IgE may inhibit the allergic sensitization that mediates asthma pathogenesis. Additionally, the cross-linking of IgE may restore virus induced IFN-alpha responses, which are often lacking in asthmatic patients.
Given omalizumabs benefit in asthma and its underlying mechanism of blocking IgE, as well as alleviating the burden of rhinovirus, omalizumab is under consideration as a therapy for asthma prevention and disease modification. Pre-school is considered a critical period in the maturation of the immune and pulmonary systems. The Preventing Asthma in High Risk Kids study is currently underway to determine whether 2 years of omalizumab therapy in predisposed preschoolers can prevent asthma development.
Can Asthma Damage Your Lungs
Actually, asthma does not damage your lungs permanently. In fact, many asthmatics live long and very healthy lives. However, asthma can be a serious condition. It can make it hard to breathe and make you fatigued. It can cause other problems, such as sleep apnea, which occurs when you stop breathing momentarily while you are sleeping, or exercise-induced asthma, which makes your lungs tighten up when you exercise..
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What Facts Should I Know About Asthma
What is asthma?
Asthma is a clinical syndrome of chronic airway inflammation characterized by recurrent, reversible, airway obstruction. Airway inflammation also leads to airway hyperreactivity, which causes airways to narrow in response to various stimuli.
Who is at risk to develop asthma?
Asthma is a common chronic condition, affecting 68 per thousand individuals in most recent asthma surveys. Asthma remains a leading cause of missed workdays. It is responsible for 1.5 million emergency department visits annually and up to 500,000 hospitalizations. Over 3,300 Americans die annually from asthma. Furthermore, as is the case with other allergic conditions, such as eczema , hay fever , and food allergies, the prevalence of asthma appears to be on the rise.
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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How To Help Someone Having An Asthma Attack Without An Inhaler
Trying to help a person struggling through an asthma attack without an inhaler can be a frightening experience, but the most important thing you can do to help is to stay calm. Aside from breathing slowly, staying calm is crucial for the person experiencing an asthma attack and you dont want to add to the stress he is experiencing.
Using The Papworth Method
The Papworth method has been used since 1960 to help people with asthma. It is a type of breathing and relaxation technique. It makes use of the nose and diaphragm to develop breathing patterns that will suit the asthma patient. These breathing patterns can then be used while engaging in activities that can possibly flare up your asthma. Papworth method is a way of controlling over-breathing that is basically rapid and shallow breaths taken at the top of the chest.
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Prevention Of Respiratory Infections
There is robust data that allergic sensitization and viral infection interact synergistically in the pathogenesis of asthma. Allergic sensitization, particularly to HDM and mouse, combined with early-life rhinovirus infection compounds the risk of developing asthma and also increases asthma severity. This suggests that IgE may play a significant role in modifying asthma severity. Genes underlie a predisposition to sensitization, while exposure to allergens, respiratory infections, and pollution may modify asthma severity seen among individuals.
More than 80% of asthma exacerbations are triggered by respiratory viral infections, and two-thirds of these are attributable to rhinovirus, which also increases asthma severity. It is postulated that rhinovirus disrupts the airway epithelium, upregulates IL-25 and IL-33, and catalyzes type 2 airway inflammation and remodeling. Limiting the pulmonary inflammation ignited by rhinovirus is a possible intervention point in stymying the progression of transient wheeze to asthma. Omalizumab may be helpful in this regard.
How To Stay Healthy As You Age
Aging does not occur only at the organ level.
People become older at the cellular level, too, Wechsler said. This is associated with worsening immunity the lungs respond less well. Its called immunosenescence, the gradual deterioration of the immune system.
Increased inflammation also can contribute to the aging process, he said. Older people start having higher levels of cytokines, such as interleukin 1 and 6.
People can boost their immune systems as they age.
We know the detrimental effects of obesity, and that exercise helps, Wechsler said. Exercise could be a possibility to help an aging immune system.
There are no specific methods for boosting the immune system, said Mathur, adding that staying healthy in general is important.
Maintain a good diet and stay away from obesity, he said. We do know that good nutrition, including intake of vitamin D, is important for good immune function. The main interventions to specifically help with managing asthma are the regular use of appropriate inhaler medications, and keeping up with recommended vaccinations, especially yearly flu vaccine and the series of pneumonia vaccines.
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Breastfeeding May Prevent Asthma Research Suggests
- Date:
- European Lung Foundation
- Summary:
- Feeding a baby on only breast milk and for up to 6 months after birth can reduce their risk of developing asthma-related symptoms in early childhood, according to new research.
Feeding a baby on only breast milk and for up to 6 months after birth can reduce their risk of developing asthma-related symptoms in early childhood, according to new research.
The study, which is published online July 21, 2011 in the European Respiratory Journal, looked at the impact of the duration of breastfeeding and the introduction of alternative liquids or solids in addition to breast milk.
The researchers, from the Generation R Study, Erasmus Medical Center in The Netherlands, used questionnaires to gather data from over 5,000 children. They ascertained in the first 12 months after birth whether the children had ever been breastfed, when breastfeeding was stopped, and whether any other milk or solids were introduced.
Further questionnaires were completed when the children were aged 1, 2, 3 and 4 years to check whether they had any asthma-related symptoms.
The results showed that children who had never been breastfed had an increased risk of wheezing, shortness of breath, dry cough and persistent phlegm during their first 4 years, compared to children who were breastfed for more than 6 months.
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Effective Asthma Treatment In Will County & Dupage County Illinois
At Oak Brook Allergists, we create customized treatment plans for patients with asthma. We understand that no two cases are alike, and consequently, no two treatment plans should be alike. If you or your child suffers from asthma, early treatment can prevent complications, protect your lungs, and ensure that you continue to live a normal and happy life even with the condition.
Our allergists are talented, friendly, and ready to provide you and your family with the care you need. To schedule a consultation with an Oak Brook Allergist, call our clinic at 574-0460 or request an appointment now.
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How Is Asthma In Children Diagnosed
Asthma is often difficult to diagnose in infants. However, the disease can often be diagnosed in older children based on the child’s medical history, symptoms, and physical examination, and on certain tests:
- Medical history and symptom description: The healthcare provider will ask about any history of breathing problems your child may have, as well as a family history of asthma, allergies, a skin condition called eczema, or other lung diseases. Be sure to describe your child’s symptoms in detail, including when and how often these symptoms have been occurring.
- Physical exam: During the physical examination, the doctor will listen to your child’s heart and lungs.
- Tests: Many children will have a chest X-ray and pulmonary function tests, which measure the amount of air in the lungs and how fast it can be exhaled . The results will help the provider determine how severe the asthma is. Children younger than 5 are usually unable to perform pulmonary function tests, so doctors rely heavily on history, symptoms, and physical examination in making the diagnosis.
The doctor may order other tests to help identify particular asthma triggers, including allergy skin testing and blood tests.
What Are The 3 Types Of Asthma
There are three major types of asthma: allergic asthma, extrinsic asthma and intrinsic asthma. Allergic asthma is a type of asthma that is triggered by foods, pollen and other allergens. Allergic asthma is hereditary and is the most common type of asthma. Extrinsic asthma is a type of asthma that is triggered by an infection, such as a virus. Intrinsic asthma is also known as non-allergic asthma. It is a form of asthma that is not caused by allergies or other factors. Intrinsic asthma is caused by a dysfunction in the respiratory system..
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Ginger For Asthma Cough At Night Remedy
Ginger acts as an anti inflammatory drug and offers multiple benefits for your body and health. Its also considered as a superfood and is very effective against asthma. Add pomegranate, honey and ginger in equal proportions and consume it 2-3 times a day to get beneficial results.
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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Getting The Diagnosis Correct
One man in his 60s ended up going to Wechslers Cohen Family Asthma Institute at NJH after seeing two physicians who had incorrectly diagnosed him with COPD.
The man had been coughing and wheezing, and became short of breath, Wechsler said. The doctors gave him a rescue inhaler, but they did not treat him for ongoing airway inflammation.
When the man failed to improve, he went to NJH, underwent a series of sophisticated tests, and was correctly diagnosed with asthma.
To define if a patient has asthma, we do a pulmonary test, spirometry, to determine if there is any airflow obstruction consistent with asthma, and then assess the degree of reversibility, Wechsler said. If we see asthmatic symptoms plus airflow reversibility, we can assess the degree of hyper responsiveness. Imaging by CAT scans helps us look for other components. The patient may have sinus disease, reflux, post-nasal drip, or aspiration.
Is Lemon Bad For Asthma
Lemons have a PH of around 2, which is on the acidic side of the pH scale. Asthmatics have hyper-reactive airways, and anything that makes their airways constrict even more is probably something to avoid. The citric acid in lemons is a trigger for many asthma sufferers. Lemons are also very high in Vitamin C, which is better for you in most cases, but can cause inflammation in an asthmatic. I would caution against having lemon in any form for an asthmatic, although perhaps with very limited use, you might be able to make it work for you..
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Why Should I Worry About Pneumonia
People with asthma have a higher risk of developing pneumonia due to previous lung damage or weakness of the lung tissue caused by asthma. In fact, pneumonia is a leading cause of hospitalization in children and adults. How your body responds to pneumonia depends on which type of infection you have, your age and overall health. While anyone can get pneumonia, people living with asthma are more likely to develop pneumonia after getting sick with the flu than people without asthma. Adults 65 or older living with asthma have a 5.9 times greater risk than their healthy counterparts of contracting pneumococcal pneumonia. This is because as you get older, your bodys immune system naturally weakens making it harder for our bodies to fight off infections. It can also take you longer to recover and you are more likely to develop serious complications. Assess and understand your risk for getting pneumococcal pneumonia by taking our quick risk assessment.
How Is Asthma In Children Treated
Based on your child’s history and how severe the asthma is, the healthcare provider will develop a care plan called an “Asthma Action Plan,â which describes:
- When and how your child should use asthma medication.
- What to do when asthma gets worse.
- When to seek emergency care for your child.
Make sure you understand this plan and ask your child’s provider any questions you may have. The Asthma Action Plan is important to the success of asthma control. Keep it handy to remind you of your child’s daily asthma management plan and to guide you when your child develops asthma symptoms. In addition to following the Asthma Action Plan, try to limit exposure to asthma triggers.
Asthma medications that adults and older children take can also safely be prescribed for toddlers and younger children. In the case of inhaled medications, a different delivery device based on the child’s age and ability may be required.
If your infant or child is having asthma symptoms that require treatment with a rescue inhaler more than twice a week, your provider may prescribe a daily controller therapy .
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Link Between Allergies And Worms
It has long been noted that populations with high rates of worm infections tend to have less asthma. Over the last century in the developed world we have been very successful at getting rid of worms but have seen a huge rise in allergic diseases at the same time. But why would this be the case?
Allergies are an example of an over-enthusiastic immune response, directed against harmless environmental molecules such as pollen or dust. The reason we evolved these types of immune responses was not to make hay fever season miserable, but because they are particularly good at combating parasitic worm infections. However, parasitic worms are complex creatures that have evolved highly sophisticated techniques to allow them to avoid the allergic immune response and survive inside our body.
Recently, we have begun to identify the molecules that parasites use to suppress the host immune response a crucial step towards developing parasite-derived medicines. We have been looking at how worms interfere with allergy, identifying HpBARI, a key parasite-derived molecule that blocks the allergic immune response.
A critical trigger in the initiation of allergy is the binding of the immune messenger molecule IL-33 to its receptor in the lung. We found that HpBARI interferes in this critical step.
About Pets And Asthma
Proteins in your pet’s skin flakes, urine, feces, saliva and hair can trigger asthma. Dogs, cats, rodents and other warm-blooded mammals can trigger asthma in individuals with an allergy to animal dander.
The most effective method to control animal allergens is to not allow animals in the home. If you remove an animal from the home, it is important to thoroughly clean the floors, walls, carpets and upholstered furniture.
Some individuals may find isolation measures to be sufficiently effective. Isolation measures that have been suggested include keeping pets out of the sleeping areas, keeping pets away from upholstered furniture, carpets and stuffed toys, keeping the pet outdoors as much as possible and isolating sensitive individuals from the pet as much as possible.
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