Asthma is a chronic lung disease, which is caused by an increased reaction from the airways to various stimuli. It is a persistent inflammatory condition with acute specific exacerbations. If asthma is not properly managed or treated, it can become a life-threatening disease.

A person in middle age or older can at times develop asthma and this is called adult onset asthma. A careful diagnosis of asthma is very significant, because very often the symptoms can be confused with other very similar illnesses of middle age such as specific types of heart disease chest ailments or cough.

It’s been discovered that Asthma in adults is often a recurrence of childhood asthma. Sometimes a child’s asthma persists into adulthood, or very often childhood asthma disappears only to recur later in life as adult onset asthma. Therefore an appropriate diagnosis is essential.

Asthma symptoms:

The usual asthma symptoms in adults are as follows,

* Wheezing
* Breathlessness
* Cough
* Tightness of the chest
* Production of mucus.

Asthma triggers in adults:

Cigarette Smoking: -
Bronchial asthma is a very common disease and is an important cause of morbidity amongst both children and adults. Tobacco smoking, which is both active and passive, can have dire effects on asthma.
Bronchial irritation is often caused by exposure to cigarette smoking and can precipitate acute episodes of Asthma. It also increases bronchial receptiveness and causes airway sensitization to some occupational allergens.
For any asthmatic, smoking will always increase their disease severity and is the probable cause of irreversible Airway’s obstruction and also the development of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. (COPD)

You can see that there’s practical value in learning more about Asthma. Can you think of ways to apply what’s been covered so far?

Smoking is frequently associated with
* Increased asthma symptoms,
* Respiratory infections,
* Acute episodes
* And the frequent hospitalization of children.
* It also increases bronchial responsiveness and any specific airway sensitization.

Similarly, uteri exposure to maternal smoking is often independently responsible for early onset of asthma. Exposure in adult asthmatics to cigarette smoking by their spouses, siblings or colleagues is equally worrying.

Similar triggers
A person with adult onset asthma is also sensitive to the same types of triggers, which precipitate symptoms in younger people suffering with asthma. Therefore it stands to reason that adult onset asthma can be managed by limiting the amount of exposure to specific particular triggers, which include: -

* Cigarette smoke
* Allergens such as pollen or mould
* Infections
* Fumes and strong odors
* Dust mite allergen
* Specific Exercise
* Medications such as beta-blockers and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs

Asthma in adults is a permanent condition. If you suffer from Asthma as an adult, you will probably need constant medication to keep your symptoms under control for the rest of your life!

Regular medication for Adult Asthma.
As people get older, their lungs become much less capable which makes the efficiency of the other organs of the body that much harder. Adult onset asthma in someone middle-aged or older can accelerate any worsening lung function they may be suffering from.
Adult onset asthma should be managed correctly because once the lung functioning has deteriorated it never recovers. It is very important preventive medication is prescribed and taken on a regular basis to protect lung function at all times.

Things to remember

a) Adult onset asthma is often a recurrence of childhood asthma,
b) Symptoms can often be confused with other illnesses of middle age, such as heart disease or other chest conditions.
c) People with adult onset asthma usually need to take preventive medication to protect their lung function on a regular basis.

Now might be a good time to write down the main points covered above. The act of putting it down on paper will help you remember what’s important about Asthma.

About the author:

Please visit MyHealth-Info.com for more information on asthma in adults.

Written By: Masni Rizal Mansor

Posted: October 26th, 2007 under Asthma.
Comments: none

Learning you have asthma is bad enough, but have you thought about what to do when having an asthma attack?

Asthma usually gives you a warning when it’s about effect your breathing. There are several pre-symptoms. Watch for a feeling of tightness in the chest. Unusual wheezing and coughing should get your attention. Even restlessness while trying to sleep is another early signals that an asthma attack may be on its way. If you train yourself to watch for these conditions your will find that you usually have enough time to prepare for or even prevent the asthma attack.

When you feel the attack coming don’t just sit there! Swing into action. Here are some “fight back” tips:

1) You must have prepared an asthma attach action plan that you can quickly put into action anytime you feel an attack is coming.

2) An asthma attack is usually a high stress situation, but you should at least try to stay calm and put your plan into action. First of all… Make sure you take the correct medications - do not mistake prevention drug with an asthma reliever remedy. Prevention medications have little or no effect in relieving an attack… or they work much to slowly.

3) The best way to be sure you correctly identify your medications is to mark your inhalers with different colors. For example: A blue inhaler for normal prevention, and red inhaler for emergency-use relief. By making these advanced preparations there is less chance you will grab the wrong treatment at the wrong time. You will be prepared for whatever asthma throws at you.

4) Relax and slow your breathing! This is not an easy task, but with enough training you can concentrate and control your breath even during an asthma attack. Practice your breathing exercises under normal conditions, to make sure you can do them when you’re tense during an attack.

What to do when having an asthma attack - relaxed breathing

As mentioned above, during an asthma attack and after taking medication you should begin your relaxation exercises. Start by sitting comfortably in a chair. Then clear you mind and concentrate on relaxing. Visualize the tension leaving your shoulders and neck.

It is important to control your breathing and not to gasp for air. Maintain your concentration and try to slow your breathing a little. A good technique is to inhale through your nose, and exhale through your mouth.

Try using a pursed-lip breathing technique. It can help you control your breathing. Do that until any breathless feeling subsides and finally disappears. It’s not uncommon to feel dizzy while doing this. Just try to rest between breaths.

What to do when having an asthma attack - when things going wrong

Now let’s cover what to do when you are having an asthma attack and you can’t get relief. Despite using the proper medicine and exercises your asthma attack only seems to get worse. If your effort to breathe becomes extremely labored, or if you struggle with an asthma attack for longer than usual and you just don’t seem to be getting better, consider the following:

1) Call your doctor. It is wise to have the doctor’s phone number written somewhere close at hand or preprogrammed into your telephone’s memory. Having your doctor’s phone number stored (or even programmed for fast dial) in your cellular phone is also a good idea. Make sure you can call your doctor anywhere you are. Don’t worry of all this seems a bit paranoid. You should always hope for the best, but plan for the worst.
2) Your attack may be so severe that there is just not time to try and get in touch with your doctor and then travel to his or her’s office. In this situation it is best to immediately head for the nearest hospital emergency room. This should be a part of your asthma attack plan. You should know the exact location of at least one emergency facility and the fastest way to get there. If you don’t have a car you should have the number of a friend or taxi company ready to use.
3) Finally… be ready to call for an ambulance. They can get to you in a matter of minutes and they will be ready to give your asthma attack immediate attention. This is another situation that should be included in your plan. You should have done the research to learn if you should call the ambulance directly, or call 911 and let that emergency service arrange for the ambulance.

When you think “What to do when having an asthma attack”… you should be able to immediately turn to your plan and put it into action. Your best defense against an asthma attack is a well prepared plan.

About the author:

Mark Walters has dedicated his web site to help those suffering from asthma http://www.asthmaroom.com

Written By: Mark Walters

Posted: October 20th, 2007 under Asthma.
Comments: none

Go to any grade school or high school sporting event! ake a peek at the sideline bench and note how many inhalers you see. Did you know that the number one reason children miss school is asthma? Why the explosion of asthma and respiratory problems in children?

4 Reasons Respiratory Problems are on the Rise!

1) Couch Potato Generation kids weigh more, exercise less and spend more time indoors.
2) Too much antibiotic use - Immune systems never get much opportunity to fight infections, and then react abnormally to airborne contaminants.
3) Air Pollution Pollution does not cause asthma but can be a trigger for an attack. Cars and factories now have stricter controls on emissions but the problem is still there.
4) Indoor Air Pollution 20 years ago no one ever heard of Indoor Pollution! Since the Energy Crisis in the 70s, buildings became more energy efficient. This meant all pollutants became trapped inside. Many of the items we furnish our home and school with are outgassing contaminants continually. Carpeting, curtains, cleaning products, particle board furniture and more! With people spending 90-% of their days indoors, this becomes a problem!

4 Things You Can Do To Protect Your Kids from Allergy & Asthma Reactions!

1) Watch for days when pollen counts are high and restrict vigorous exercise on hot days.
2) Avoid Wood Stoves and fireplaces in the home and NEVER allow smoking in the home of an asthmatic.
3) Keep pets out of the bedrooms.
4) Make sure kitchen, bathrooms, and basement are well ventilated to cut down on mold in humidity.
5) Put pillows and mattresses in allergen-impermeable covers to cut down exposure to dust mites.
6) Use non-toxic cleaning products and avoid perfumes and scented products.
7) A filter-less air purifier is highly recommended since a filter can only capture a small portion of allergens.

About the Author

To learn more about products for a healthier indoor environment, please visit my website at www.myhealthysolutions.com or register here for my bi-weekly issue of The Achoo Reviewan online newsletter to help you and your family with allergies and asthma.

Deborah Mumm has been an Indoor Environmental Consultant for 7 years. She has helped hundreds of people with her tips and healthy products. http://www.myhealthysolutions.com

Written By: Deborah Mumm

Posted: October 14th, 2007 under Asthma.
Comments: none

What is an allergy?

An allergy is a super-sensitivity to a substance that is not harmful to most other people. These substances are called allergens. The common allergens include pollen, mould, dust mites, cockroaches and pet dander. Some people also have food allergies. Some people have symptoms with strong chemical fumes, odours (including perfumes, fragrances in household cleaners and detergents), smoke and air pollution. These compounds are chemical irritants and not true allergens. The common symptoms of allergy include hay fever, asthma, eczema or food reactions.

How do I know if I have allergies?

Hay fever is the most common allergy problem in Canada. The typical symptoms of hay fever are sneezing, a stuffy or runny nose, watery eyes, a dry cough and itching. Asthma is a lung condition which can lead to shortness of breath, wheezing or coughing. Eczema is a skin condition which often involves a dry itchy rash. True food allergy reactions can include hives, itchiness, shortness of breath, throat tightness, lightheadedness or stomach pain after eating the food allergen. Allergies can be a serious medical condition and you should consult your doctor if you suspect you have them. A doctor may recommend allergy scratch tests (a type of skin testing in which suspected allergens are applied to the skin, scratched and observed for a reaction in 15 minutes). Skin tests should always be done under the supervision of a qualified physician with an expertise in allergy.

How are allergies treated?

The first step in an effective allergy treatment plan is to make some simple lifestyle changes that will limit your exposure to allergens. I would suggest having allergy scratch tests done before any major lifestyle changes are made. After the allergy scratch tests you will know the likely causes of the allergy symptoms. One can avoid pollen by keeping windows closed and air conditioning on during the high-pollen seasons. Most of the mould that causes allergies is from the outdoors. Therefore, keeping the windows closed is helpful. If you notice mould in the house it should be cleaned with diluted bleach. The best ways of avoiding dust mites are to purchase proper dust mite proof pillows and mattress covers, remove carpet from the bedroom, wash the bedding in hot water and to keep the humidity around 40 percent. Vacuuming and duct cleaning are actually not very effective at removing dust mites. The only way to remove pet allergens completely from the home is to keep the pet outdoors or to give the pet away. By keeping pets out of the bedroom, washing pets weekly and removing carpets from the bedroom, you can decrease your total pet allergen exposure. If you have a true food allergy, that food should be completely avoided.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist about which medications would help you manage your allergy symptoms. Antihistamines are the most common medications used to treat hay fever. Antihistamines block the action of histamine released by the immune system and are effective at reducing sneezing, runny nose and itchy, watery eyes. They are particularly effective at relieving the symptoms of seasonal hay fever and should be taken as soon as an allergy attack develops. You may also need a decongestant to reduce nasal congestion. Some antihistamines can cause side effects such as drowsiness and they should be avoided if you have to drive, work or perform tasks that require you to be alert. There are several websites offering good information on allergies, for example, visit www.claritin.ca.

About The Author

Dr. Harold Kim is an allergy specialist based in Kitchener-Waterloo, Ontario.

News Canada provides a wide selection of current, ready-to-use copyright free news stories and ideas for Television, Print, Radio, and the Web. News Canada is a niche service in public relations, offering access to print, radio, television, and now the Internet media, with ready-to-use, editorial “fill” items. Monitoring and analysis are two more of our primary services. The service supplies access to the national media for marketers in the private, the public, and the not-for-profit sectors. Your corporate and product news, consumer tips and information are packaged in a variety of ready-to-use formats and are made available to every Canadian media organization including weekly and daily newspapers, cable and commercial television stations, radio stations, as well as the Web sites Canadians visit most often. Visit News Canada and learn more about the NC services.

Written By: News Canada

Posted: October 8th, 2007 under Asthma.
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Native to Africa, Aloe Vera is also known as “lily of the desert”, the “plant of immortality”, and the “medicine plant”. The name was derived from the Arabic alloeh meaning “bitter” because of the bitter liquid found in the leaves. Recorded use of Aloe Vera in treating burns, infections and parasites goes back as far as the Egyptians in about 1500 B.C. There are over 500 species of aloe growing worldwide. Ancient Greeks, Arabs and Spaniards have used the plant throughout the millennia. African hunters still rub the gel on their bodies as a deodorant/anti-perspirant.

Advance Research of Aloe Vera

Extensive research since the 1930’s has shown the clear gel produces dramatic benefits by putting up a protective layer over affected areas, speeding up the healing rate. The root of the aloe plant has also been used as a treatment for colic. As a food supplement, Aloe Vera is said to facilitate digestion, aid in blood and lymphatic circulation, and enhance the function of the liver, kidneys and gall bladder. Liquid health treatments using Aloe Vera and other herbs have proven beneficial for the relief of colitis and peptic ulcers. The oral administration of an extract of Aloe Vera for 6 months produced good results in the treatment of asthma. The exception was the fact that the extract was not effective in patients dependent on corticosteroids. The results of experimental studies in rats and mice suggest that Aloe Vera may be effective, both topically and internally, in the treatment of diabetic leg ulcers, as well as exhibiting blood sugar-lowering effect in both normal and chemical induced diabetic mice. Aloe Vera has shown great promise as an anti-bacterial and anti-viral substance. Acemannan, present in Aloe Vera , has shown encouraging results in the early treatment of the AIDS virus.

Uses of Aloe Vera

Aloe Vera is used today for the treatment the same conditions it has traditionally been used for. Those conditions include constipation as well as minor cuts and burns. In India, Aloe Vera was also used as a remedy for intestinal infections and suppressed menses.Aloe Vera is remedy for; Wounds, Ulcers, Burns, Asthma, Diabetes.

Aloe Vera Include:

The aloe vera plant is about 96% water. The rest of it contains active ingredients, such as essential oil, amino acids, minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glycoproteins. The constituents that produce the cathartic laxative effects of aloe latex are known as anthraquinone glycosides. Aloe Vera contains at least three anti-inflammatory fatty acids that are helpful for the stomach, small intestine and colon. Aloe Vera naturally alkalizes digestive juices to prevent over acidity - a common cause of indigestion. Acemannan is a newly discovered compound in aloe vera, which is being studied for its ability to strengthen the body’s natural resistance. Results have indicated acemannan can boost the immune system.

About the author:

Written By: Jacob Wood

Posted: October 2nd, 2007 under Asthma.
Comments: none