Allergies And Asthma

If you are pregnant and have asthma, you should try to learn all you can about the drugs you are taking to control your asthma. Good asthma control is essential to provide the oxygen your body and the fetus needs. Your doctor will work out the asthma plan best suited to your needs while you […]

Here are some frequently asked questions related to asthma in adults. Q: What breathing exercises can help me during an asthma attack? A: Pursed-lip breathing involves closing the lips tightly and blowing air out past them the way you would when blowing out a candle. This action helps keep the airways open during exhalation by keeping

Here is a summary of the important facts and information related to asthma in adults. Asthma is a condition in which extra-sensitive lungs overreact to certain irritating conditions called “triggers.” In asthma, the air passages of the lung are chronically inflamed, meaning they are red and swollen. When an asthma attack occurs, the muscle in

We don’t know what causes asthma. But we do know that: Asthma and allergies are likely to run in families and may be inherited. Children who have allergies at a young age may be at greater risk for developing asthma as adults. Some adults with asthma also had asthma as teenagers and as children. In

Here are definitions of medical terms related to asthma in adults. Allergen: A foreign substance that triggers an allergic response in a susceptible person. Allergens are usually common items encountered in everyday life such as substances from insects, animals or plants (such as pollen). Allergy: An unusual response to a small amount of a foreign substance that

In some people, an asthma episode is brought on by an allergy to something in the environment. Allergies occur when the body reacts to common harmless substances that normally don’t trigger a response in another person. These substances are called allergens. In the person with allergic asthma, a flare-up of the airways can occur when

A host of other things can bring on an asthma attack in susceptible people. These include: Respiratory infections Irritants Industrial fumes and dusts at work Air pollution Exercise Nighttime Weather Emotions Hormonal changes Health problems Respiratory Infections Asthma can be made worse by common colds, sinusitis, and influenza (the flu). Viral infections are known triggers

Triggers are things that can make asthma worse in susceptible people by irritating inflamed airways. Here is a list of common triggers: Allergies Yes No Pollens (trees, grasses, ragweed)     Molds     Animals and animal products (dander, wool, feathers, down pillows)     Insect parts and dust mites     Note: Dust is

There are two completely different types of asthma medications, and they are used for completely different purposes: Medications to prevent asthma symptoms from developing Medications to relieve asthma symptoms once they’ve started Need To Know Medication to prevent asthma attacks will not relieve an asthma attack. They are intended to prevent attacks, not treat it. They do

Knowing how airway inflammation prompts asthma symptoms, researchers have developed powerful “preventer medicines” for asthma that halt inflammation in a number of ways, including: Stopping the production of chemicals in the body that cause inflammation Blocking the release of these harmful chemicals from the cells that make them Competing with these harmful chemicals so as

Asthma medications that relieve the muscle spasms responsible for narrowing of the airways are called reliever medicines. The medications that best accomplish this are the bronchodilators. (“Bronchodilate” means to open up the airway, and that’s exactly what these medications do.) Points to keep in mind concerning the bronchodilator drugs include: They relax the airway spasms