Cleaning Mold Off Chairs
Basements sometimes get very hot and humid during the summer months. This creates a breeding ground for mold spores. One winter I was inspecting the antique furniture I had stored down there. I noticed they were covered in mold.
My aunt informed me all I had to do was put a little bleach in a bucket of water. Then wipe the mold off using a rag. Of course, she said to do this in a well-ventilated area. She also recommended I wear a mask. I took the furniture into the garage and opened the garage door.
This method worked great for getting the mold off the furniture. The downside is the mold triggered my asthma. Inhaling the bleach probably didnt help either. The solution here is to wear the darn mask. Another solution is to get someone else to do this task.
Symptoms Of An Asthma Attack
Signs that you may be having an asthma attack include:
- your symptoms are getting worse
- your reliever inhaler is not helping
- you’re too breathless to speak, eat or sleep
- your breathing is getting faster and it feels like you cannot catch your breath
- your peak flow score is lower than normal
- children may also complain of a tummy or chest ache
The symptoms will not necessarily occur suddenly. In fact, they often come on slowly over a few hours or days.
Vaping And Lung Damage
- Talk with your teen about the dangers of vaping.
- Vaping can cause severe lung damage. It can become permanent.
- Vaping can even cause death .
- Vaping tobacco also causes nicotine addiction.
- For these reasons, the legal age to purchase vaping products is 21 in the US.
- Encourage your teen to not start vaping or to give it up.
- Warning: home-made or street-purchased vaping solutions are the most dangerous.
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Use Your Inhaler Before Exercising If Your Asthma Is Brought On By Exercise
Physical activity is just as important in people with asthma as it is in people without asthma, so talk to your doctor if asthma limits you from doing exercise. Symptoms include coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or unexplained shortness of breath during exercise.
The most effective way to combat exercise-induced asthma is to use your inhaler before exercise. Relievers will prevent exercise-induced asthma in most people however, some people may also need additional protective treatments, including long-term control medication. Warm-up periods and a scarf worn over the mouth if it is cold may also help prevent symptoms.
Respiratory Therapist/pulmonary Rehab Specialist
Respiratory therapists are not doctors, but healthcare providers who have special training in the lungs and respiratory system and primarily treat asthma through lung exercises. Most of them work in hospitals.
A respiratory therapist, physical therapist, registered nurse, or exercise physiologist can get further training to become a pulmonary rehabilitation specialist.
Your doctor may refer you to this type of therapist after a severe asthma attack.
Respiratory Therapist/Pulmonary Rehab Specialist Training
Respiratory therapists must:
- Get either an associates degree or bachelors degree in respiratory therapy or pulmonary science
- Pass a certification exam from the National Board for Respiratory Care
- Earn a state license, which requires on-going education to maintain
To become a PR specialist, they can take a short course to earn a specialized certificate or receive on-the-job training at a facility with a program certified by the American Association of Cardiovascular and Pulmonary Rehabilitation.
What They Can Do For You
If you need better asthma control, frequently find yourself short of breath, or want to be able to exercise more, you may benefit from seeing a respiratory therapist, especially one who specializes in pulmonary rehabilitation.
Respiratory therapists and pulmonary rehabilitation specialists care isnt intended to replace that of your physicians, but it can be a very helpful addition to it.
A respiratory therapist can:
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Get The Flu Vaccine Every Year
Although people with asthma are not more likely to get the flu, the flu can be more serious in people with asthma, even if their asthma is mild or well controlled with medication.
Influenza further inflames the already swollen and sensitive airways of people who have asthma, exacerbating symptoms and triggering an asthma attack. People with asthma have a higher risk of developing pneumonia or other breathing disorders as a result of the flu. The risk of hospitalization is increased in people with asthma who catch the flu.
The best way to protect against the flu and pneumonia is with vaccination. Because influenza viruses are constantly changing, flu vaccination must be done yearly and is recommended for everybody with asthma over the age of 6 months. The pneumococcal vaccine does not need to be given each year.
Know Your Asthma Triggers And Keep Track Of Your Symptoms
Asthma attacks are usually brought on by triggers such as air pollution, animal dander, colds or the flu, chemical irritants, wood smoke, cockroach allergy, dust mites, or pollen. Exercise, fumes, changes of temperature, pre-menstrual and hormonal changes, or even moving house can worsen asthma symptoms. If you can identify these triggers, and avoid them if possible, you may have better asthma control.
Pay careful attention to the pattern of your asthma symptoms. Keep a diary and write down what you do, eat, and where you go each day. Mark the days where your breathing gets worse or when you have to step up your medication. Show your diary to your doctor and talk about how to manage possible triggers.
Blood tests or skin tests can also be used to determine if you are sensitive to a particular substance. Allergen immunotherapy is one option to consider if tests show a correlation between exposure to an allergen and your asthma symptoms.
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Will Medicine Help Me Breathe Better When I Exercise
Yes. Exercising, particularly in cold air, may cause airway swelling or exercise-induced bronchoconstriction . Quick-relief asthma medicines, taken before exercise, usually control this. If you need repeated doses of quick-relief medicine during and after exercise talk with your doctor. Your medicines may need to be adjusted. Thanks to these medicines, many Olympic and professional athletes have successful sports careers even with their asthma.
It is important for everyone, including people with asthma, to be as active as possible for good health. Talk with your doctor about how you can be physically active while keeping your asthma well-controlled.
What Are The Different Types Of Delivery Devices For Asthma Medicines
You take most asthma medicines by breathing them in using an inhaler or nebulizer. An inhaler or nebulizer allows the medicine to go directly to your lungs. But some asthma medicines are in pill form, infusion form, or injectable form.
Inhalers
There are four types of asthma inhaler devices that deliver medicine: metered dose inhalers , dry powder inhalers , breath actuated inhalers, and soft mist inhalers.
- Metered dose inhalers have medicine plus a propellant. The propellant sprays the medicine out of the inhaler in a short burst.
- Dry powder inhalers do not have a propellant and do not spray the medicine out of the inhaler. The medicine is released from the inhaler when you breathe it in.
- Breath actuated inhalers have a dry powder or aerosol medicine. The medicine does not spray out of the inhaler. The medicine is released from the inhaler when you breathe it in.
- Soft mist inhalers do not have propellant, but they do spray the medicine out of the inhaler. They create a cloud of medicine that sprays out softly.
Different types of asthma devices
For inhalers to work well, you must use them correctly. But 70 to 90% of people who use inhalers make at least one mistake when using their inhaler.1 Inhaler mistakes can lead to uncontrolled asthma. Ask your doctor or nurse to watch you use your inhaler to make sure you are using it correctly.
Spacers and valved holding chambers
Nebulizers
Injectables
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What Are Common Ways To Diagnose Asthma
Personal and medical history. Your doctor will ask you questions to understand your symptoms and their causes. Bring notes to help jog your memory. Be ready to answer questions about your family history, the medicines you take and your lifestyle. This includes any current physical problems. Shortness of breath, wheezing, coughing and tightness in your chest may show asthma. This also includes all previous medical conditions. A history of allergies or eczema increases your chance of asthma. A family history of asthma, allergies or eczema increases your chance of having asthma, too. Tell your doctor about any home or work exposure to environmental factors that can worsen asthma. For example, these might include pet dander, pollen, dust mites and tobacco smoke. The doctor may also ask if you get chest symptoms when you get a head cold.
Physical exam. If your doctor thinks you have asthma, they will do a physical exam. They will look at your ears, eyes, nose, throat, skin, chest and lungs. This exam may include a lung function test to detect how well you exhale air from your lungs. You may also need an X-ray of your lungs or sinuses. A physical exam then allows your doctor to review your health.
Hauling And Stacking Wood
This one is not an issue at my home. But, when I go to my dad’s cabin it does become an issue. This is because we all take turns doing this chore. I always feel guilty because I skip out on it.
It’s not a good job for allergic asthmatics. This is because wood can get moldy. Again, I could wear a mask. But, I find it’s best just not to do it. It’s best to let someone else take my turn instead.
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Make An Asthma Action Plan
If you don’t have one already, work with your doctor to create an asthma action plan. This is something you talk about and write down. It helps you tell how well-controlled your asthma is and what to do about it. Your action plan might include:
- How much medicine to take and when
- A list of your triggers and ways to avoid them
- What to do when you have specific symptoms of trouble
Will I Always Have To Take The Same Amount Of Medicine
Not always. You will probably take more medicine when you begin treatment to get control of your asthma. Work with your doctor to learn which medicine control your asthma best and how much you need. Once your asthma is well-controlled, your doctor may be able to reduce the amount of medicine you take. The goal is to gain control of your asthma as soon as possible and then control it with as little medicine as possible. Once long-term anti-inflammatory therapy begins, your doctor should monitor you every one to six months. This is to see how your asthma medicines are working and if your asthma is well controlled.
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Take A Copy Of Your Childs Asthma Action Plan To Their School
Most parents have enough to do at the start of the new school year, but parents of children with asthma have even more. If you havent already talked with the school or your childs teacher about their asthma action plan, then make an appointment to do it as soon as you can. Provide the school with written instructions and review their policies to ensure that you are satisfied that your childs specific needs will be addressed.
Although all 50 states and the District of Columbia have passed laws allowing students with asthma to carry their inhalers, there are still a range of local policies and practices in some schools that make it difficult for some children to freely access these potentially lifesaving medicines during the school day.
Organize for an in-date emergency supply to be kept in the nurses cabinet, just in case. Encourage your child to talk about their asthma to friends, classmates and teachers, and to let an adult know if they are experiencing any symptoms.
How To Stop Asthma Cough
This article was co-authored by Shaun Berger, MD. Dr. Shaun Berger is a board certified Pediatrician based in the San Diego, California metro area. Dr. Berger provides comprehensive primary care for newborns, children, and adolescents, focusing on preventive medicine. Dr. Berger earned a BA in Psychology from the University of California, San Diego and an MD from the University of Illinois at Chicago. Dr. Berger then completed a residency at the UCSF/Fresno Community Medical Centers/Valley Childrens Hospital where he was elected Chief Resident. He has been awarded the UCSF Foundation Award and is a Fellow of the American Academy of Pediatrics.There are 16 references cited in this article, which can be found at the bottom of the page.wikiHow marks an article as reader-approved once it receives enough positive feedback. In this case, 100% of readers who voted found the article helpful, earning it our reader-approved status. This article has been viewed 76,283 times.
Many people are familiar with common asthma symptoms like tightness in the chest and difficulty breathing. Coughing is another troublesome symptom of asthma, the inflammatory lung disease which narrows the breathing airways. To stop an asthma-related cough, identify and avoid your triggers, take medication to treat your asthma, and make yourself comfortable.
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What Does Asthma Do To The Body
You already know that the muscles in your lungs tighten during an asthma episode. The bronchial tubes may become swollen or otherwise irritated. What else does asthma do to the body? Thats a great question.
According to American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, asthma causes a semi-permanent inflammation in the lungs airways. That means your airways are swollen and red. Theyre characterized as being in a hypersensitive state that can be irritated by any small trigger. Some of these triggers, outlined in Asthma Attacks: Triggers and Treatments, include pet dander, smoke, chemicals, dust, cold or warm weather, pollen, stress, and illness.
Unfortunately, its very normal for someone to be scared or fatigued after suffering an asthma attack. Even seconds of this frightening breathlessness can feel like hours, and your body needs time to recover from the shock of what happened.
Thats why you will have to take care of yourself in the days following an asthma attack. Your lungs are in a weakened state, which makes you more susceptible to a second or third attack. This risk is high over several days, so keep your asthma care a high priority.
Are There Natural Remedies For Asthma Attacks
The typical treatment for an asthma attack is a quick-acting inhaler with medication. Sit upright and take slow, steady breaths. Try to stay calm. Follow the asthma action plan that youâve set up with your doctor. If your breathing doesnât get better or if youâre so short of breath that you canât talk, get medical help right away.
Some breathing exercises can help with symptoms of an asthma attack.
- Pursed-lip breathing. This slows your breathing and helps hold your airways open longer so your lungs work better. With your mouth closed, breathe in slowly through your nose. Then breathe out through your mouth, with your lips pursed like youâre whistling, for twice as long.
- Belly breathing. This technique uses the same steps as pursed-lip breathing. But as you breathe in, focus on the movement of your belly. Picture it filling with air like a balloon. It may help to keep your hands on your belly so you can concentrate on the air going in and out.
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Identifying Your Asthma Triggers
How Do You Get Asthma
Asthma is a chronic respiratory disease caused by inflammation of the airways. Common symptoms are wheezing, coughing, shortness of breath and chest tightness. Asthma is believed to be caused by a combination of environmental and genetic factors. Although you cannot control your genetic makeup, you can control some of the environmental factors that may cause you to develop asthma.
Asthma triggers include:
- Allergens
- Chemical fumes
- Air pollution
- Workplace exposures
- Obesity
Medical studies on the prevalence of asthma have identified some interesting patterns. The strongest risk factor for developing asthma is a history of atopic disease . This increases the risk of both hay fever and asthma.
In children between 3-14, a positive skin test for allergies and an increase in immunoglobulin E increases the chance of having asthma. In adults, the more allergens reacted to during a skin test, the higher the odds of having asthma.
Other patterns that increase the risk of developing asthma include:
- Maternal smoking during and after pregnancy
- Antibiotic use early in life
- Presence of cockroaches in the home
You might be wondering about the reference above to obesity. It is thought that respiratory function decreases due to the buildup of adipose tissue and the fact that fat supports the development of inflammation in the body.7 A study in Taiwan actually correlated asthma symptoms with each 20% increase in body mass index . This should encourage all of us to maintain a healthy weight!
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Contact Doctor During Office Hours
- Don’t have written asthma action plan from your doctor
- Use an inhaler, but don’t have a spacer
- Miss more than 1 day of school per month for asthma
- Asthma limits exercise or sports
- Asthma attacks wake child up from sleep
- Use more than 1 inhaler per month
- No asthma check-up in more than 1 year
- You have other questions or concerns