Typically, asthma attacks are the result of acute spasms in the muscles surrounding your bronchi, which constricts or narrows your airways. Inflammation to the inside walls of your bronchi increases which narrows your airways even further. To top it all off, cells in your bronchi can generate additional mucus, which adds to the narrowing. The result is that you may feel as though you are “starving for air.”

Asthma Symptoms

Symptoms you’d normally experience during an asthma episode can include chest tightness, coughing, wheezing and difficulty breathing. Asthma attacks can last minutes or hours. They certainly are not all the same, some are much more severe than others. In extreme cases, vital organs will not receive enough oxygen, leading to death.

There are two forms of asthma, allergic and nonallergic. They often occur together. Because asthma symptoms may resemble those of other diseases it is difficult to distinguish it from other conditions making asthma difficult to diagnose conclusively. For example, bronchitis, lower respiratory infections and emphysema share many of the same symptoms as asthma.

Allergic Asthma

Allergic asthma can be triggered by your exposure to something your body is allergic to. Some of the more common asthma provoking allergens, also called asthma triggers, include environmental pollutants, animal dander, food additives such as sulfites, mold, chemicals, drugs, dust mites, cockroaches, exhaust fumes, feathers, and tobacco smoke.

Non-Allergic Asthma

Nonallergic asthma can be triggered by temperature changes, laughing, cold air, extreme dryness or humidity, low blood sugar, anxiety, exercise, Gastroesophageal reflux disease (GERD), adrenal disorders and stress. Cardiac asthma is a non-allergic type of asthma caused by heart failure.

Intrinsic Asthma

Intrinsic asthma, a nonallergic asthma, tends to appear during upper respiratory viral infections, is many times associated with bronchitis or sinusitis, and usually appears during adulthood. Intrinsic asthma sufferers seem particularly vulnerable to emotional stress, exercise, changes in the weather and other factors which are related to inner feelings.

The cause of Asthma is a mystery. No one knows what causes it, although a hereditary link to Asthma was discovered in late 1999.

Adults over the age of 65 and children under the age of 16, especially those living in urban areas are most likely to suffer from asthma. It is the number one cause of school absenteeism and the number one cause of hospitalization for children.

Asthma Medications and Treatments

There are several established asthma medications and treatments, as well as several new and promising treatment options on the horizon. In general, there are three groups of allergy medications:

• quick relief asthma medications
• long term (controller) asthma medications
• allergy induced asthma medications

Within the three general groups above your doctor will recommend your asthma treatment based on your individual needs. For example, pills, inhalants and injections are available, each with their respective positive and negative effects. In fact, inhaled and systemic bronchodilators and corticosteroids are routinely prescribed, depending on the circumstances.

The bad news is that there is no cure for asthma. The good news is that asthma is very treatable and manageable.

Asthma – What is it? was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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Dog and Cat Dander Can Lead to Asthma Attacks and Breathing Problems

The National Survey of Lead and Allergens in Housing, conducted from 1998 to 2002, conducted by the NIEHS (National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences) in conjunction with researchers from HUD (Department of Housing and Urban Development), showed that 100% of US homes had detectable levels of cat and dog allergens. Even though cat ownership was reported in only 24% of the surveyed homes and dog ownership was reported in only 32% of the surveyed homes.

Nearly 100% of the homes surveyed had levels of cat and dog allergen which exceeded the threshold for allergic sensitization and over 30% had allergen levels high enough to produce asthma symptoms and asthma episodes.

In other words, even if you don’t own a dog or cat, chances are you’ve got cat and dog allergens all over your home at fairly significant levels.

The survey also showed that 46% of the houses surveyed had levels of dust mite allergens high enough to produce allergic reactions. Over 20% of all the surveyed homes had combined allergen levels high enough to trigger asthma symptoms and asthma episodes in genetically susceptible individuals.

As if that weren’t enough, survey results also show that over 65% of American homes have detectable levels of cockroach allergens, whether you see them or not.

The highest cockroach allergen concentrations are found in high-rise apartment buildings, urban settings, older homes, and low income households. Roughly 10% of the surveyed homes had cockroach allergen levels above the threshold for triggering asthma symptoms.

What can you do? NIEHS scientists, in collaboration with researchers from other asthma research centers have developed intervention strategies designed to reduce exposure to asthma triggers found in the home.

Read Indoor Asthma Triggers – Asthma Proof Your Home.

Asthma Triggers – Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma? was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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If You Suffer from Asthma, It's Best to Keep Animal Dander Out of Your Home

Surprisingly enough, it doesn’t even matter if you own any pets, or have ever seen cockroaches or dust mites scurrying about. (Be sure to read “Asthma Triggers – Is Your Home Causing Your Asthma?” for more trigger information).

A surprising finding from a study conducted from 1998 to 2002 by the National Institute Of Environmental Health Sciences, shows that 100% of US homes have detectable levels of dog and cat allergens. In fact, most homes had levels of dog and cat allergens, exceeding the threshold for allergic sensitization.

The problem is only 24% of the surveyed homes reported cat ownership, while only 32% reported dog ownership.

So whether you live with a pet or not, according to the NIEHS, you are certainly living with pet dander.

Thankfully, as it turns out, one of the most cost effective and beneficial asthma management techniques is free and doesn’t require any special training. Keep your home clean.

Researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences, in collaboration with scientists from Harvard University and the University of Washington found that the simple act of washing your bedding in hot water, putting allergen impermeable covers on your pillows, box springs and mattresses, in addition to vacuuming and steam cleaning your carpets and upholstered furniture will significantly reduce dust mite and pet dander allergen levels.

Unfortunately, you have no control over the best predictors of dust mite allergen levels. The age of your home and your home’s indoor humidity level have the most significant impact on the amount of dust mites found in your home. Your only recourse if you live in an older home in a humid area, is to move, if you can afford it.

Over 60% of American homes have detectable levels of cockroach allergens. Recent studies have provided evidence which suggests exposure to cockroach allergens are the single most important risk factor for asthma in inner-city households.

Whether you’ve seen them scurrying about your kitchen or not, if you live in a high-rise apartment building, an urban setting, or in an older home, chances are you’re living with them and have been for quite a while.

The good news, according to a National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences study conducted in 2005, is that all it takes to reduce cockroach allergen levels in your home by 84% to 96% is a thorough cleaning and professional pest control.

Unfortunately, much of the asthma research conducted by government agencies, universities and privately funded entities, has focused on indoor allergens. As more and more data has proven, outdoor pollutants seem to play an even larger role in triggering asthma symptoms and asthma episodes.

Read about a recent study on asthma and air pollution conducted in Southern California.

Asthma Proof Your Home was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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Xolair was Designed for Treating Allergic Asthma Symptoms.

Xolair blocks allergy causing IgE antibodies produced by your immune system to attack substances which have entered your body. If you suffer from allergic asthma, Xolair may significantly reduce the number and severity of the asthma attacks (episodes) you will experience by blocking the action of your IgE antibodies.

Xolair asthma medication treatments involve injections every two to four weeks. Your doctor may recommend Xolair asthma treatments if you’re at least 12 years of age, if all other treatment options have been a failure and you suffer from allergy induced asthma with moderate to severe symptoms.

There are serious side effects and risks associated with Xolair. They may include possible blood-clotting problems, possible links to cancer which are currently being researched and the risk of severe reaction within two to three hours of taking the injection. As always, discuss your asthma treatment options, including Xolair, with your care providers and make an informed decision.

Xolair (Omalizumab) – Allergic Asthma Medication was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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• You suffer from acute asthma symptoms for the first time.
• Your asthma symptoms fail to respond to your usual treatment, or if your asthma attack (episode) is severe.
• Your sputum (mucus) becomes discolored, particularly green, yellow, or bloody. This may be a sign of a bacterial infection.
• You or your family members and caregivers have not been educated about asthma treatments, or if the medication you require is not immediately available to you.
• You want to learn exactly what to do when an asthma attack (episode) begins. You can often handle acute asthma attacks (episodes) without professional help, once you’ve gotten the proper training, medication and confidence.
• You begin to use your asthma medication more often than usual. This is normally a sign that your asthma is worsening.
• You suffer from allergy induced asthma, and you want to discuss allergy shots as part of your asthma treatment.

Asthma Help – When You Need to Talk with Your Doctor was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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Sulfites Found in Wine Can Be Dangerous for Asthmatics.

Unfortunately, many restaurants use sulfiting agents–including sodium bisulfite, potassium meta bisulfate, and sulfur dioxide–to prevent discoloration and bacterial growth in green salads, cut and sliced fruit, frozen shellfish, and many other foods.

The types and severity of reactions to sulfites in sensitive individuals vary, and may include breathing difficulties, anaphylactic shock, severe headaches, abdominal pain, stuffy and or runny nose, flushing of the face and a “hot flash” feeling, diarrhea, irritability, and/or feelings of anger. These symptoms seem to occur quickly, usually within 20 to 30 minutes after consuming sulfites.

Obviously, sulfites pose a greater danger to some people than to others. In particular, asthma sufferers, people with a history of allergies, or a deficiency of the liver enzyme sulfite oxidase can suffer great harm. In the United States alone, sulfites have been implicated in at least 13 deaths.

You will always find it easy to determine if a food product contains sulfites. Sulfiting agents may appear in food ingredient lists in many varieties. For example, sodium sulfite, sodium bisulfite, sodium meta-bisulfite, potassium bisulfite, potassium meta-bisulfite and sulfur dioxide.

You can safely assume that any ingredient included on a food product’s ingredient list ending in -sulfite to be a sulfiting agent. If you believe you have suffered a reaction after ingesting a food which you believe contained sulfites, you should be cautious of ingesting any of the foods and beverages listed in the table below.

Fresh Fruits and Beverages

• Avocado dip (guacamole)
• Coleslaw
• Grapes
• Mushrooms
• Potatoes
• Prepared cut fruit or vegetable salads

Fish and shellfish

• Canned seafood soups
• Clams
• Crabs
• Dried fish
• Fresh shellfish, especially shrimp
• Frozen, canned, or dried shellfish
• Lobster
• Oysters
• Scallops
• Shrimp

Prepared or Processed Foods

• Beet sugars
• Breading mixes
• Breakfast cereals
• Brown sugar
• Canned fruit pie fillings
• Canned mushrooms
• Caramels
• Corn, maple, and pancake syrups
• Cornstarch
• Dietetic processed foods
• Dried or canned soups
• Dry salad dressing mixes
• Frozen, canned, or dried fruits and vegetables
• Frozen French fries
• Glazed fruits
• Hard candles
• Horseradish
• Jams and jellies
• Maraschino cherries
• Noodle and rice mixes
• Olives
• Onion relish
• Pickles
• Potato chips
• Sauces and gravies
• Sauerkraut
• Shredded coconut
• Trail mixes
• Wine vinegar

Miscellaneous

• Apple cider
• Baked goods
• Beer
• Bottled, canned, or frozen fruit juices
• Bottled, canned, or frozen vegetable juices
• Cocktail mixes
• Colas
• Cordials
• Cornmeal
• Frozen doughs
• Fruit drinks
• Gelatin
• Instant tea mixes
• Wines

If you suspect you have had a negative reaction to one of the above listed foods or to one that isn’t listed, be sure to make a note of the brand and type of food or beverage you’ve consumed. Check the label and see if the ingredient list includes a sulfite. If it does, and you can’t live without that particular fruit or beverage, try to find a replacement that’s missing the sulfite.

If you can’t find a suitable replacement, we would suggest you stop eating that particular brand or type of food or beverage. You’ll feel better.

Asthma and Sulfites – Beware was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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• Unless absolutely necessary, do not administer antibiotics to children under six months of age (European Respiratory Society Conference, Vienna, 09/03).
• Children under the age of three should consume full-cream milk and butter daily (PIAMA Birth Cohort Study 2003; 58:567-72).
• Stay out of indoor swimming pools; their chemicals can make lungs more susceptible to asthma (Occup & Environ Med 2003; 60:385-94).
• Avoid hormone replacement therapy when you reach menopause (Arch Int Med 2/23/04).
• Don’t smoke; don’t let family members be exposed to secondhand smoke. According to Robert Fink, MD “[T]he hospitalization rate for asthma in children is 50% higher if there is a smoker in the household.”
• Open windows at home to clear the house of indoor air pollutants.
• Avoid products, such as hairspray, that come in pressurized cans.
• Practice stress relief, and transmit this information to your children.
  “[E]motionally induced’ asthma is a real entity,” says Dr. Fink. “It has been shown that crying or laughing can elicit a histamine response”– that is, a release of the chemical responsible for allergic reactions.

Asthma Risk – How to Lower It was originally posted on: Asthma Treatment and Management Information - Azmacare.com

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