Preventative Measures to Control Asthma and Allergies

Many people with asthma do not know what causes the disease or triggers their attacks.

An allergy management plan defines the goals for getting asthma under control. These goals should include normal function of the airways and the ability to participate in physical or social activities without respiratory difficulty. They should also include sleeping through the night, no hospitalization, no emergency room visits or unscheduled visits to the physician, and no fear about what to do when breathing problems occur. The plan should incorporate a list of medications and an understanding of why they are needed. Once a physician has approved of the plan, you should keep a written copy in a place where it can be refer to often.

Management plans may change as asthmatics grow older, or according to changes in the environment, seasons, and so on. As allergies are eliminated and controlled, the management plan will also change.

• Do you have an asthma allergy management plan?
• Is it written down and do you understand it?
• Do you know how to recognize and respond to an asthma episode?

Removing Allergens from the Environment

Keeping indoor humidity below 50 percent can reduce dust mites and mold.

Air cleaning devices that filter the air in the home to remove airborne allergens may be helpful for asthmatics. The most effective filter is a high efficiency particulate (HEPA) filter.

Vacuum cleaners are another important piece of equipment for asthmatics.

Since many varieties of vacuums are available, it is suggested that people do some research. There are vacuum cleaners with HEPA filters that can trap particles as small as .3 microns.

For asthmatics, electric and hot water radiant heaters are the best heating alternatives. Fireplaces and wood burning stoves are not recommended sources of heat, because they can emit toxic particles and gasses that cause respiratory problems.

• Do you know how to recognize and respond to an asthma emergency?
• Do you know what to do when recovering from an asthma allergy episode?
• When you are feeling better, should you keep taking medications?
• Do you know how to keep an asthma episode from recurring?

Asthma sufferers need to educate themselves about allergy medications and the different kinds of asthma symptoms.

The peak flow monitor is an inexpensive, hand-held tool that measures the maximum speed with which air is forced out of the lungs. It can be invaluable for an asthmatic, since a reduced peak flow rate, which occurs when the bronchial tubes are blocked, may indicate a worsening condition. This instrument is particularly helpful with children who are not yet able to identify mild asthma symptoms.

Some asthmatics believe that taking a lot of medications will help cure them. But asthmatics should understand that medications only treat symptoms, they do not cure asthma. In any case, it is important to be aware of what each medication does.

An inhaler—a canister that injects a medicated mist into a patient's airways—must be used properly, as instructed by a physician. A nebulizer, commonly called a breathing machine, is designed to aerosolize medication into a fine mist of tiny particles and deliver those particles to the lungs. The efficacy of medication delivery is greatly improved with a nebulizer.

Asthmatics and parents of asthmatic children also need to know the purpose of each medication, how often it can be safely used in a twenty-four hour period, and what alternatives are available.

In many cases, allergy-proofing or otherwise altering their environment, changing their diet to eliminate food allergens, and eating only hormone-free, pesticide-free meat will be enough to allow an asthmatic to discontinue medications.

To help asthmatics take more responsibility for their condition, here is a list of questions they can ask their physicians about the medications they are taking:

• What is the name of the medication and what is it supposed to do?
• How long after I begin taking the medication will it have an effect?
• When should I take it?
• For how long should I take it?
• How often should I take it?
• What happens if the medication does not work?
• Are there any foods, drinks, or other medications I should avoid while taking this medication?
• Are there any side effects? If so, what should I do if they occur, and is there information available about them?

Asthma sufferers should try to manage their condition as much as possible with complementary therapies to avoid further stressing their immune systems with drug residues.

Bedrooms

It is particularly important to clear the sleeping environment of allergens because symptoms tend to worsen at night and may cause the asthmatic to wake up with an asthma attack.

Allergens in the bedroom can be reduced by removing mold, down comforters, feather pillows, and the foam and kapok in mattresses and cushions.

Animals in the bedroom may have left urine, saliva, and hair. Wallpaper, paint, books that collect dust, fabrics, wood floors, and rugs all can cause problems.

Painting and remodeling a house can be toxic for anyone, and particularly for an asthmatic.

Since dust mites are one of the most common allergens that trigger asthmatics, it is important to get rid of accumulations of dust. There should be smooth, uncluttered surfaces in the bedroom, with few small objects like books, knickknacks, CDs, tapes, or stuffed animals. All of these should be put in drawers if possible.

After dust mites, the next major asthmatic trigger is mold. To prevent or eliminate molds, humidity should be kept as low as possible, never over 50 percent. It may be useful to use a gauge to measure the humidity. Keeping the windows closed and using an air conditioner and dehumidifier can all be helpful. Mold flourishes in dark, damp places that are poorly ventilated and in areas where water pools. Once areas of mold are identified, they should be washed with a mold inhibiting solution, and ventilation and drainage should be improved.

Carpeting can be a major breeding ground for mold, as can foam rubber pillows and mattresses. Mold grows in damp and dark places, so keep cupboards and garbage pails clean and dry shoes and boots thoroughly before storing. Clothing with perspiration should be washed after use, and chemical moisture removers can be used in closets.

Kitchens

In the kitchen, exhaust fans can remove water vapor during cooking. Mold grows in refrigerators, particularly around door gaskets, in water pans below self-defrosting refrigerators, and on spoiled foods. Mold can also grow on garbage.

Bathrooms

In the bathroom, excess water should be removed from shower doors, tiles, and tubs with a squeegee. Shower curtains, bath tile, shower stalls, tubs, and toilet tanks should all be washed with mold preventive solutions.

Laundry Rooms and Basements

In the laundry room, vent the dryer outside and dry clothing immediately after washing. In a basement, do not lay carpet and pads on a concrete floor.

Outdoors

Outdoors, avoid cutting grass or raking leaves, or use a well-fitting mask while doing so.

Outside the Home

Other highly toxic environments include hair and nail salons, which can be hazardous to anyone with respiratory problems. Many of the nail chemicals are common allergens, especially acetone, which is used in nail polish remover and hair chemicals. Perfumes can also be a trigger for asthmatics and a problem for others with respiratory problems.

Dealing with Pets

Approximately 10 percent of the American population, including 20 to 30 percent of asthmatics, are allergic to animals. It is estimated that 28 percent of the homes in the United States have at least one cat, which would total about 50 million cats. Approximately 6 million Americans are allergic to cats, and early exposure can lead to asthma in a child with a predisposition. Keeping an animal outdoors is preferable, but it can create a problem because outdoor allergens—pollen and mold—can cling to the fur and come off when the animal is touched. Frequent bathing of a cat is important, as is appropriate indoor and outdoor ventilation and frequent vacuuming with a HEPA filter vacuum cleaner.

Studies have shown that washing a cat with water removes much of its surface allergen content and reduces the future production of allergens.Wear a face mask when brushing a cat, and wash hands and change clothes after touching it–another reminder that parasites can be picked up while touching an animal. Vacuuming may blow cat allergens into the air, so use only a vacuum with a high quality filter.

Car Environments

Many people are allergic to substances in the car environment, including fuel, exhaust fumes, plastics, hydrocarbons, carpets, and synthetic leathers. You can use an air purifier in the car.

Food

Food allergies can be serious triggers for asthma. The best way to avoid them, is to rotate them and/or take digestive enzymes.

Energetic and Breath Techniques

Energetic techniques like qi-gong and breathing exercises can be helpful. So can acupuncture, chiropractic, and spiritual practices that help provide an understanding of the emotions behind disease. Deep abdominal breathing is best.

Exercise

Experts talk about exercise-induced asthma. It is important to use discretion, though, and an asthmatic should never over-exercise when unwell or suffering from an infection.

Experts usually recommend activities that involve short bursts of energy rather than exercise for an extended period of time.