Severe Asthma Triggers
Here are two little known asthma triggers which are important to note.
GERD and Asthma
If you have asthma, and also suffer from gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), treating your GERD may cure your asthma. GERD occurs when stomach acids splash back into the esophagus , causing heartburn. About 80 percent of people with asthma also suffer from GERD, which may trigger an asthma attack by spilling stomach acid into your airways, or by making you more sensitive to other triggers.
If you find that your asthma is triggered by reflux, you can either have surgery to prevent the spilling of stomach acid, or take drugs that block the production of stomach acid. In one study of people with asthma and GERD, almost three-fourths of the people improved or eliminated their asthma by treating just their reflux.
People who are most likely to have reflux-related asthma are those who developed asthma as an adult, have no family history of asthma, cough and wheeze a lot at night, and whose symptoms are worse after meals or exercise.
Asthmatics and Tranquilizers
Tranquilizers may help you relax and sleep easier, but if you have asthma, tranquilizers may put you to sleep permanently. A recent study found that people who had used major tranquilizers had over a three times higher risk of death or near-death from asthma complications. If you have asthma, avoid using tranquilizers, if possible. A glass of warm milk and some soothing music might be safer.
Medical Sources:
Source:
Medical Tribune for the Internist and Cardiologist (36,22:6)
British Medical, Journal (312,7023:79)
To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right-hand corner of this page or click here to read more.
Allergy Pictures
Here are some unique and interesting allergy pictures which tell the story behind the suffering which some people go through.
An allergy twist to the well known American Gothic farmer painting!
Many people feel like this may be the only way they can mow the yard without sneezing to death!
Many people with cat allergies have a fear of cats because they can lead to severe symptoms!
While they can be costly, allergy shots are one of the most effective ways to get long-term allergy relief!
An Allergy Alert poster placed on the window of Tim Horton's; a Canadian based coffee/ donuts chain!
To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right-hand corner of this page or click here to read more.
Flu Images
Interesting flu images which show how creative people can be when forced to wear a mask for a period of time.
This woman wrote an interesting observation on her mask!
This guy created a mask which illustrates the histeria surrounding the flu epidemic!
This guy figured he would at least be stylish while protecting himself!
Even the flu can't stop LOVE!
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Asthma Kid Bill of Rights
Do you have an asthma kid at home? The American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology reports that almost 8.9 million children had asthma in the year 2005 in the United States while the Centers for Disease Control (C.D.C.) reports 6.7 million during 2007. For those of you who do have asthmatic child at home or know parents who do, I have included this Bill of Rights for Children with Allergies and Asthma supplied by the Allergy and Asthma Network – Mothers of Asthmatics.
Asthma Kid Bill of Rights
A child with asthma and allergies and his/her family have the right to:
- Be presented with the proven scientific facts of asthma and allergies in a manner that raises appropriate concerns and avoids needless anxiety.
- Be cared for by a supportive physician who provides preventive management of asthma and allergies as well as treatment for acute episodes.
- Live in a smoke-free environment where reasonable attempts at eliminating relevant allergens are made.
- Have full and personal access to appropriate medications and devices so that potential scholastic, athletic, and social achievements are not limited by otherwise uncontrolled asthma or allergies.
- Learn self-management skills to minimize dependence on medical personnel, emergency clinics, and hospitalizations.
- Expect teachers, school nurses, coaches, camp counselors, and other adults entrusted with their care to understand the enlightened handling of children with asthma and allergies.
Much has been written about preventing asthma attacks by maintaining control over potential airborne triggers or allergens. However, here are some little known tips which are proven to control these potential asthma allergens in the home environment. A recent 2008 poll of asthma sufferers indicated some confusion regarding the proper methods of reducing asthma allergens in the home. And to compound the situation, health practitioners do not have a good understanding of the technologies available to help their patients while in their home environment.
Technology to the Rescue
Utilizing the proper technology combined with the knowledge of how to use that technology will make the greatest reduction of asthma-causing allergens in the home environment. Many asthma allergens fall into the broad category of airborne particles which must be removed from the environment on an ongoing basis. High Efficient Particle Air (H.E.P.A.) filter technology can drastically reduce asthma symptoms within days from its initial use. However, H.E.P.A. filtration devices must be used regularly to keep the asthma-causing allergens at bay.
The Truth About Black Mold
When homeowners see something black around their air vents or on the ceiling and walls, some automatically assume that it is “Black Mold”. However, all molds turn black when they die without a moisture source to keep them alive. It is imperative to understand the differences and the attributes of black mold before calling a in a specialist or attempting to remediate it.
Black Mold Actually Refers to a Specific Genus
I have received many phone calls over the years from panicked homeowners stating they have the infamous “black mold”. These phone calls have required me to inform the concerned homeowner that black mold is actually the genus of mold (fungi) known as Stachybotrys chartarum. Stachybotrys is a pathological mold which can be isolated as a contaminant from nature into the indoor environment. The location and distribution of Stachybotrys in the outdoors is wide spread. It has been isolated from contaminated grains, tobacco, insulator foams and water-damaged buildings to name a few.
Stachybotrys Can be Dangerous
Stachybotrys produces a mycotoxin known as satratoxin. This mycotoxin is used in a sort of microbial warfare to help it compete against bacteria and other molds. Mycotoxins is believed to lead to pathological changes in animal and human tissues. Toxic effects which can be traced to mycotoxins exposure in humans which lead to serious illness have been well documented in scientific literature. Effects of heavy exposure to mold toxins are many, but just two of the more common effects are immuno suppression and liver cancer. It does take a large amount of inhaled spores to poison a person. Mycotoxins are also found to result in headaches, sore throats, hair loss, flu symptoms, diarrhea, fatigue, dermatitis, general malaise (tiredness) and psychological depression from short term exposures.
Assumptions Can be Equally Dangerous
The only way to know if someone has Stachybotrys is to send a sample of the suspected mold to a laboratory to be identified by a trained Mycologist. The reason why this step is so important is one should know what potential contaminant is present in their home. It does not mean that the mold contamination can not be remediated during laboratory testing. However, should a laboratory report later confirm that Stachybotrys was present then it is imperative that the entire indoor environment in the home be properly remediated as well as the original location of the mold itself.
Black Mold Must be Remediated Properly
Non-viable (dead) Stachybotrys spores can easily spread throughout the home. The human body cannot make the distinction between dead or viable (alive) mold spore. In fact, it is more likely that someone would inhale larger amounts of dead spores since they can become aerosolized during air movement. A dead or alive pathogenic mold such as Stachybotrys could actually grow in the throat or lung tissue if inhaled in sufficient quantities. Proper remediation protocols should be followed when attempting to remove these spores from an indoor environment. These protocols would include but would not be limited to:
- complete HEPA (High Efficient Particulate Air) vacuuming of all hard and soft surfaces
- washing all draperies and pillow covers
- steam cleaning of carpeting
- the daily use of HEPA air purifiers in affected rooms
- wet mopping of vinyl and tile floors
- detail cleaning of air conditioning and heating equipment to include a thorough duct cleaning
Summary
It is not enough just to kill Stachybotrys mold with a biocide disinfectant. The dead spores must be thoroughly removed from the indoor environment. It is highly recommended that a experienced contractor be hired for very large remediation projects while small projects can normally be handled by the homeowner with a HEPA vacuum and a lot of careful work.
To learn more about indoor pollutants and how to make your home a haven, please sign up for our Free Email Mini-Course Newsletter in the upper right-hand corner of this page or click here to read more.
Asthma Images
Interesting asthma images which illustrate and tell the story about what it is like to sufferer from this dreaded disease.
As absurd as this cartoon looks, there are actually smokers who suffer from asthma!
Read more Asthma Prevention Tips here.
Unfortunately, this is a way of life for millions of children. But a child's use of asthma medication can be reduced while they are at home!
Actual Asthma Treatment Masks in 1930's Berlin, Germany
Cats may suffer from some of the same diseases that humans do!
