Asthma in Adults?

Asthma in Child ?

What you should know When Child Have Asthma?

How Can Asthma Attack Be Prevented?

How Can Asthma Attack Be Prevented

 About 50% of adults with asthma exhibit allergic responses. Avoidance or control of the triggers that lead to asthma attacks is as much a priority as treatment of the disease. Because there are so many substances that can trigger allergic responses, identifying and avoiding the allergens can be very difficult, even with the use of allergy skin tests. Patients can, however, take some relatively simple actions to avoid the most obvious and common problems.

Pets. Pets should be kept outside or, if this isn't possible, be confined to carpet-free areas outside the bedroom. Cats harbor significant allergens; dogs usually present fewer problems. Washing cats and dogs once a week can reduce allergens. Dry shampoos, such as Allerpet, are now available for both cats and dogs that remove allergens from skin and fur and are easier to administer than wet shampoos.

Air Filters and Vacuum Cleaners. Air cleaners, filters for air conditioners, and vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters can help remove particles and small allergens found indoors. Air cleaners have little or no effect against cat allergens or dust mite feces that lodge in carpets and bedding. HEPA vacuum cleaners appear to be effective in reducing levels of second-hand smoke and preventing cat allergens from being released into the air. In one study, however, removing cat allergens from the air had no effect on asthma symptoms. Neither vacuuming nor the use of anti-mite carpet shampoo is effective in removing mites; in fact, vacuuming stirs them up. It is best to avoid carpets if possible.

Bedding and Curtains. Using semipermeable coverings to fully encase mattresses and pillows is the most proven effective step in reducing dust mite levels. (Vinyl mattress covers limit airflow and may also exacerbate, or even cause, asthma in children. Synthetic pillows may pose a significantly higher risk for severe asthma attacks in children than feather or no pillows.) Curtains should be replaced with shades or blinds and bedding washed using the highest temperature setting.

Others Recommendations. Damp housing increases the risk for asthma. On-going humidifiers then can be counterproductive because dust mites thrive in humidity, and because they can develop mold if not cleaned daily with a vinegar solution; humidity levels should not exceed 40%. Electric stoves should replace gas ovens, which release nitrogen dioxide. Cockroaches should be eliminated by professional exterminators.

Camping and hiking trips should not be scheduled during times of high pollen count (in the Northern states, May and June for grass pollen and mid-August to October for ragweed). Patients should avoid strenuous activity when ozone levels are highest, which usually occur in early afternoon, particularly on hot hazy summer days. Levels are lowest in early afternoon and at dusk. Patients who are allergic to mold should avoid barns, hay, raking leaves, and mowing grass. Exposure to automobile fumes may worsen asthma. Fungi in car air conditioners can also be a problem.

Aspirin and products containing aspirin can cause life-threatening asthma attacks in susceptible individuals. Acetaminophen (e.g., Tylenol) is an alternative for relief of minor pain. A pharmacist should be consulted if the ingredients of any over-the-counter preparations are not known. A number of drugs interact with asthma medications, so all drugs being taken should be discussed with the physician. Taking hormone replacement therapy may increase the risk for asthma, although women with asthma who take oral contraceptives may experience fewer symptoms around the time of menstruation.

Lowering salt intake and eating more fish may be protective, although a recent study suggested that consumption of fish oils had no influence on the onset of asthma in adults.

People with asthma should try to minimize their risk for respiratory tract infections. Washing hands is a very simple but effective preventive measure. Vaccinations against influenza each fall appear to be beneficial and do not appear to worsen asthmatic symptoms. Some people with asthma may also benefit from a single vaccination against pneumococcal pneumonia.

Some studies are indicating that long-term exercise may help control asthma and reduce hospitalization. The warm-up and cool-down periods, which are important for any exercise regimen, may also help reduce the risk of exercise-induced asthma (EIA). People who enjoy running should probably choose an indoor track to avoid pollutants. Swimming is excellent people with asthma. Patients should consult their physicians before embarking on an exercise program.

Everyone should quit smoking and encourage others around them to quit.

People with asthma have no higher rate of anxiety or depression than the general population, but emotional disorders, including stress and depression, are associated with more severe symptoms and even an increased risk of fatal asthma attacks. While negative emotions can discourage proper treatment and the ability to cope, a positive attitude can be of considerable help in the long-term management of asthma.

In people whose asthma is caused by workplace conditions, improved ventilation or face masks may help, but often even low levels of chemical agents can trigger a response. In such cases, leaving the job is the only way to prevent the condition from getting worse, especially because increased exposure to asthma triggers in the workplace worsens the condition. Although the effects may be life long, in one study, 70% of people with asthma experienced significant improvement in symptoms after leaving the job. This can often be a severe emotional and financial hardship, and workers should be sure occupational substances are the cause by having a complete check-up by a lung specialist. Experts suggest regular monitoring of peak expiratory flow rates (PEFR) for workers at risk for occupational asthma. If the diagnosis of occupational asthma is certain, patients should obtain advice on available compensation plans for disability.

People who self-manage their asthma using daily monitoring of peak air flow and adjusting their medications as needed have fewer hospitalizations, unplanned doctor's visits, and, generally, a better quality of life than those who rely only on the occasional physician or emergency room visit to control symptoms. Physicians recommend that patients with even mild asthma monitor their own conditions. A peak flow meter is the standard monitoring device. Some recommend taking readings two or three times a day, although for mild to moderate asthma, a single determination each morning usually suffices. It is important to use the meter at the same times each day and to stand or sit in the same position in order to keep an accurate record. Patients should keep an ongoing record of their peak flow readings to help them detect worsening of their condition. They should also record attacks, exposure to any allergens or triggers, and medications taken. After about two months, patients and physicians can use the data recorded for administering medications effectively and recognizing problems before they become serious. The overall treatment and management goal should be to achieve a less than 20% and ideally 10% difference between evening and morning rates. New monitoring devices are being investigated that may prove to be useful. In one study, a hand-held spirometer (Vitalograph), which measures both peak expiratory flow rates and lung function, was more reliable than a peak flow meter. Another hand-held device, called AirWatch, is a digital monitor that measures and displays the rate of airflow and compares it to the rates from previous days. Once monthly, or whenever there is a problem, the person plugs the device into a standard telephone jack and the daily readings are sent to an automated data center which creates tables and charts for the patient and the doctor.