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What Can Cause An Asthma Flare Up

What Precautions Should People With Asthma Take

Ask Dr. Nandi: For kids with asthma, allergies, new school year can bring flare-ups

Make sure your asthma is under control before winter arrives. See your doctor to develop an asthma action plan and then take the medicines your doctor prescribes. You may take medicine every day or just when you need it .

Long-term controller medicines are drugs you take every day to manage your asthma symptoms. They include:

Note: Long-acting beta-agonists are always used alongside inhaled corticosteroids.

Quick-relief medicines are drugs that you only take when you need them, such as before exercising in the cold. Short-acting bronchodilators and anticholinergics are examples of these drugs.

How Is Asthma Diagnosed

Your health care provider may use many tools to diagnose asthma:

  • Physical exam
  • Medical history
  • Lung function tests, including spirometry, to test how well your lungs work
  • Tests to measure how your airways react to specific exposures. During this test, you inhale different concentrations of allergens or medicines that may tighten the muscles in your airways. Spirometry is done before and after the test.
  • Peak expiratory flow tests to measure how fast you can blow air out using maximum effort
  • Fractional exhaled nitric oxide tests to measure levels of nitric oxide in your breath when you breathe out. High levels of nitric oxide may mean that your lungs are inflamed.
  • Allergy or tests, if you have a history of allergies. These tests check which allergens cause a reaction from your immune system.

Wet And Windy Weather Conditions:

Wet and windy weather can often cause problems for asthma sufferers.

Wet weather encourages mould growth and if it is also windy, this mould is blown through the air. If a person with asthma breathes in airborne mould, it will often triggers their asthma symptoms.

If you know wind and rain triggers your asthma, make sure to always keep an eye on the weather forecast. Try to stay inside during particularly bad days with the windows closed and keep your reliever inhaler close at all times.

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Can Persistent Cough Be A Symptom Of Covid

A persistent cough can be a symptom of covid-19 along with loss of smell, fever and body pain. Cough can affect more than 46% of adults with covid-19 and is less common in children. The cough is usually dry. However, if you develop an underlying lung condition, you may cough mucus or phlegm. If you have already Tested Positive Covid-19 and is coughing green or yellow phlegm, it may be a sign of secondary bacterial infection in your lungs that requires proper treatment.

If you cough more than normal and without apparent explanation, better get tested for covid-19, self-isolate yourself and follow covid-19 protocol.

Asthma Attack Triggers And How To Prevent Them

What is Asthma, Symptoms,Causes &  Treatment ~ Education

If youve ever had an asthma attack, you know how scary it can be when your chest tightens, making it difficult to take breaths between coughing. These are just some of the symptoms that characterize an asthma attack. Asthma attacks can be triggered by many things, making it all the more frightening when you suddenly cant breathe.

Understanding what triggers your asthma is the first step toward preventing an asthma attack. Well explain what you need to know about common asthma attack triggers, so you can do your best to prevent symptoms from interrupting your everyday life.

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What Are The Signs Of An Asthma Flare

Asthma flare-ups can vary in strength and length. They can happen without warning, causing sudden coughing, shortness of breath, and wheezing.

Flare-ups should be treated right away. So it’s important to know their early warning signs, including:

  • restless sleep or coughing that prevents sleep
  • mild chest tightness or wheezing

If the flare-up is severe, a kid might:

  • struggle to breathe or have fast breathing even when sitting still
  • be unable to speak more than a few words at a time without pausing
  • have retractions while breathing in

Because they can be life-threatening, flare-ups demand attention. Your child might need to take quick-relief medicine , visit the doctor, or even go to the hospital.

Following the instructions in your child’s asthma action plan can help you know what to do when a flare-up happens.

What Can I Do To Reduce Asthma Symptoms

  • Learn your childs triggers.
  • Allergens like dust mites, pets, pests, molds and pollen can play a role in some childrens asthma. Discuss with your health care provider whether an evaluation by an allergist may be helpful.
  • Follow your asthma management plan and give the medicines prescribed by your childs doctor.

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Whats The Difference Between An Asthma Action Plan And An Asthma Diary And Do Kids With Asthma Need To Use Both

An asthma action plan is a set of individualized directions that a doctor will design to help someone cope with asthma at home as either preventative methods or as treatments. This plan can include:

  • a list of asthma triggers
  • how to limit exposure to these triggers
  • a list of symptoms and what to do if one should appear
  • the names and doses of asthma medicines and when they should be taken

An asthma diary, on the other hand, is a journal for you or your child to monitor and record asthma symptoms, peak flows and the medicine taken each day. Keeping an asthma diary can help your childs primary care doctor form an asthma action plan or determine if the one you have is working.

With the right treatment and management, asthma doesnt have to impact your childs quality of life.

How Do I Handle An Asthma Flare

All about asthma attack, asthma flareup and prevention

If you feel like a flare-up is about to happen, stay calm. Let people around you know whats going on. Then remember your asthma action plan. Thats the written plan that tells you what to do next.

Stay calm and focus on what your asthma action plan says. Your doctor probably told you to use your quick-relief medicine, so do that first.

If you can figure out what triggered your symptoms , remove the trigger or yourself from the area. Sometimes thats all you need to get your asthma under control again.

If a flare-up is more severe, you might need to get help.

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Common Asthma Triggers And How To Avoid Them

Common asthma triggers

Asthma triggers are materials, conditions, or activities that either worsen asthma symptoms or cause an asthma flare-up. Asthma triggers are common, which is precisely what makes them so troublesome.

In some cases, avoiding all of your asthma triggers can be difficult. However, with a little planning, you can learn to prevent exposure to your triggers and reduce your risk for an asthma flare-up or attack.

What Kind Of Face Mask Should I Wear

There are many options for cloth face masks. You can buy disposable or reusable face masks at many major retail stores or online, or you can make your own. Fabric made from 100% cotton, such as heavy-duty quilt fabric or a knit T-shirt, can be somewhat effective.

Finding a mask that is comfortable and fits well will provide the best protection, If you feel the need to readjust or pull on your mask, it does not fit well. The CDC recommends:

  • Masks with multiple layers of fabric
  • Masks that fit snugly against the sides of your face without any gaps
  • Masks that cover your nose, mouth, and chin
  • Masks with inner filter pockets
  • Masks with a metal strip or nose guard to keep air from leaking out
  • Using a mask fitter or brace over a disposable or cloth mask to prevent air leaking out of the sides and top
  • Wearing one disposable mask underneath a cloth mask
  • Knot and tuck ear loops of a three-ply mask

Children two years and older should wear a mask that is made for children to ensure a snug without any gaps.

Do not choose masks that:

  • Are made of fabric that makes it hard to breathe, such as vinyl
  • Have exhalation valves or vents which allow virus particles to escape, unless the inside of the valve/vent is covered by fabric

Do not wear two disposable masks at a time or combine a KN95 mask with any other mask.

The WHO recommends masks that have three layers:

  • An outer water-resistant layer
  • A middle layer of non-woven fabric
  • An inner layer of cotton
  • Avoid touching the face mask while using it.
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    Eczema And Food Sensitivity

    There are a few key things that may cause an immune imbalance. The first is food sensitivity. Most of the medical community thinks food isnt related to eczema, but I find thats not true clinically. About 30 percent of eczema cases are connected to diet in some way. Wheat and dairy are the most common culprits, but nuts, soy, dairy and eggs are also common food sensitivities. To find out if food might be a trigger for you, I would suggest an elimination diet, where you cut out foods that are commonly associated with sensitivies for three weeks and then reintroduce them one by one, leaving at least 72 hours between each one to watch out for signs of a reaction.

    Next, since the microflora in the gut is intricately tied to the immune system, I would recommend supplementing with probiotics and taking certain herbal medicines, which have antifungal or antibacterial properties to help balance the organisms in the digestive tract. You can also support your bodys natural elimination process with natural remedies, such as herbs for the liver, cranberries for the kidneys and fibre-filled chia or flaxseed for regular bowel movements. We would also talk about your sugar intake because sugar feeds immune-disrupting organisms in the gut.

    Finally, we would discuss stress, which impacts the immune system, and I would work with you to develop a stress-management plan. For some people, exercise works best for others, it might be counselling, prayer or practicingyoga.

    What Does A Virus Do To The Cell

    8 Steps to Avoid Asthma Flare

    It essentially turns it into a virus making a factory. The Rhinovirus is the most common virus to cause asthma . So, to keep it simple, well just focus on the Rhinovirus. Once it binds to a respiratory epithelial cell, it forces the cell to take it in. Once inside, the capsid separates itself from the genome . This RNA strand enters the cells nucleus and integrates itself to the cells DNA. The cell then replicates the viral RNA over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over and over again.4,6

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    Path To Improved Well Being

    Your doctor will give you a peak flow meter to monitor your asthma. Use it regularly. Keep a log of your results. The meter is a plastic tube that you blow into several times a day. It checks how well your lungs are working. The results tell you when you need to take extra medicine or call your doctor.

    Stay in good, overall health. Maintain a good weight and eat a balanced diet. Get regular exercise. If you smoke, quit. Avoid secondhand smoke.

    Common Asthma Attack Triggers

    An asthma trigger is an irritant that causes the airways to become inflamed and constrict. Constriction of airways marks the start of an asthma attack and can cause other symptoms like wheezing.

    There isnt one single trigger of asthma. What triggers an asthma attack for one person might not be the same for another. Youll know what causes an asthma attack for you if youre exposed to an irritant and have shortness of breath or start wheezing. The most common triggers are:

  • Allergies
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    Should I Be Extra Cautious About Coronavirus If I Have Asthma

    Yes. The CDC has released new guidelines for people with asthma, which include the following:

    • Stock up on supplies in case you need to self-isolate .
    • Stay at home and practice social distancing from those you do not live with .
    • Avoid people who are sick, and wash your hands often.
    • Avoid crowds.
    • Avoid non-essential travel.
    • Clean and disinfect your home and car regularly, especially items you touch often like doorknobs, light switches, cell phones, keyboards, faucets, car door handles, and steering wheels.
    • If someone in your home is sick, stay away from them.
    • Avoid sharing personal household items such as cups and towels.

    The best way to protect yourself is to keep on top of your asthma and asthma symptoms. Follow these simple asthma management steps:

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    What’s An Asthma Flare

    How do chest infections make asthma symptoms worse? | Asthma UK

    An asthma flare-up is when asthma symptoms get worse, making someone wheeze, cough, or be short of breath. An asthma flare-up can happen even when asthma is controlled.

    Asthma flare-ups are also called asthma attacks or exacerbations.

    Triggers like allergies, respiratory infections , cigarette smoke, exercise, or even cold air can cause a flare-up and make asthma symptoms worse.

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    Causes Of Asthma Flare

    People with asthma have airways that are overly sensitive to certain things that normally dont bother those without asthma, and exposure to triggers can bring on asthma symptoms.

    Common triggers include:

    • mold
    • cockroaches

    Many people with asthma also have allergies. In them, allergens the things that cause the allergic symptoms also can cause asthma flare-ups.

    Left untreated, a flare-up can last for several hours or even several days. Quick-relief medicines often take care of the symptoms pretty quickly. A person should feel better once the flare-up ends, although it can take several days to completely go away.

    Homeopathic Remedies For Asthma Attack

    1. Arsenicum album : A person who feels really worn-out and restless needs this medication, even more so if he/she feels difficulty in breathing, especially while lying down. The problem might be accompanied by frothy white fluid during coughing.

    2. Carbo vegetabilis : When a person feels extremely weak or has a feeling of getting faint, this medication is used. Other symptoms may include burping, frequent passing of gas, and an upset stomach.

    3. Chamomilla : When a person becomes overexcited or very angry, experiences dry cough with irritation, this medication is helpful. The person also becomes hypersensitive along with the above symptoms.

    4. Ipecacuanha : When coughing eventually leads to vomiting, this homeopathic medication is suggested. Other symptoms include accumulation of mucus in the air passages and difficulty in coughing out.

    5. Natrum sulphuricum : When a person feels so weak that he/she holds his/her chest while coughing, this medication is recommended. Conditions become worse in the early morning, and the person finds it difficult to breathe while getting up from bed.

    Other useful homeopathic medications include Nux vomica, Pulsatilla, and Spogia tosta.

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    What To Do If You Have An Asthma Attack

    If you think youre having an asthma attack, you should:

  • Sit upright and try to take slow, steady breaths. Try to remain calm, as panicking will make things worse.
  • Take 1 puff of your reliever inhaler every 30 to 60 seconds, up to a maximum of 10 puffs.
  • If the ambulance has not arrived within 15 minutes, repeat step 2.
  • 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.

    What Happens In An Asthma Flare

    5 Causes of Asthma

    Asthma is a disease of the breathing tubes that deliver air in and out of the lungs. When someone has asthma, these airways might be slightly inflamed or swollen, even when the person seems to be breathing fine.

    During a flare-up:

    • The inflammation gets worse. Sticky mucus clogs the airways and their walls get more swollen.
    • The muscles around the airways get tight, further narrowing them .

    These problems leave very little room in the airways for air to flow through think of a straw thats being pinched.

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    What Causes A Flare

    Some things, like smoke or perfume, bring on breathing problems for people with asthma. These things are called .

    Different people have different triggers. For some people a trigger may be cold air, exercise, or infections . For others triggers might be like , dust mites, or mold.

    Triggers can cause flare-ups because they make the swelling in the airways worse and increase the amount of mucus. Triggers also can cause the muscles around the airways to tighten, making the airways even narrower.

    If a flare-up isnt treated it can last for several hours or even days. often take care of the symptoms pretty fast. Most people feel better after a flare-up is over, though it can take several days to completely clear up.

    Personal Asthma Action Plan

    As part of your initial assessment, you should be encouraged to draw up a personal asthma action plan with your GP or asthma nurse.

    If you’ve been admitted to hospital because of an asthma attack, you should be offered an action plan before you go home.

    The action plan should include information about your asthma medicines, and will help you recognise when your symptoms are getting worse and what steps to take. You should also be given information about what to do if you have an asthma attack.

    Your personal asthma action plan should be reviewed with your GP or asthma nurse at least once a year, or more frequently if your symptoms are severe.

    As part of your asthma plan, you may be given a peak flow meter. This will give you another way of monitoring your asthma, rather than relying only on symptoms, so you can recognise deterioration earlier and take appropriate steps.

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