14th February, 2009 - Posted by Careless - No Comments
There are many things that can be the cause of an asthma attack. Doctors treat asthma differently based on the patient and the severity of the asthma. There are different types of medication for asthma which include steroids, bronchodilators, cromolyn, and inhibitors.
If you are emotionally upset while you are decorating the artificial Christmas trees then it could very well send you into an asthma attack. When you have asthma it is very important that the people you are with know it and that you carry medication with you at all times in case you do have an asthma attack. Whether you are walking the streets enjoying the Christmas trees and the lighted palm trees or you are indoors, you should always be prepared for an attack. Without your medication you could die.
Steroids are usually inhaled when they are given to a patient for asthma. They are the most common form of treatment for asthma. They work by decreasing inflammation, swelling of the airways and helping the lungs if they are irritated. When using steroids they also help decrease the sensitivity levels that cause asthma attacks. If steroids cause you to have a hoarse voice then you may need to change medications.
Bronchodilators are the longest lasting medication for asthma symptoms. They offer quick relief and can last up to 12 hours for some people. Bronchodilators can be taken with steroids if they need to be. Patients that have severe asthma that does not respond to the steroid medications may be required to take bronchodilators and steroids both. You also may have to carry a quick relief inhaler on your for immediate results when your asthma flares.
Many people have allergy induced asthma that can be very irritating but easy to treat. Cromolyn is a very effective medication designed to decrease the allergen levels causing inflammation to occur in the airways. Cromolyn is not as effective as steroids but works well. Cromolyn comes in the form of an inhaler also but it needs to be taken up to 4 times a day. The doses of Cromolyn are metered on the inhaler.
Inhibitors are another common form of treatment for asthma your doctor might recommend. This form of treatment is not in the form of an inhaler but in the form of a ill. The inhibitors decrease inflammation and the swelling of the airways. It also works to decrease the amount of mucus being produced. Inhibitors are also not quite as effective as steroids that are inhaled.
There are many different treatments for asthma that you might consider if you have been diagnosed with this problem. Most of them work in pill form or in an inhaler. The most common methods for treating minor cases include through an inhaler taking steroids. Not all medications have the same effect or last for the same amount of time. What works for a family member may not work for you. You may be required to double up on medications and take a bronchodilator and steroids both.
Article source: http://www.cliniccareshop.com/blog/asthma-medications/
8th December, 2008 - Posted by Careless - No Comments
The weather can be a big factor that will trigger an asthma attack. If you live in conditions that tend to get hot and humid or really cold like the beach then you may experience more problems with your asthma. There are things you can do to take the proper precautions so you have less attacks throughout the year due to the weather.
There are many things that cause asthma, not just the weather conditions. Most things are usually caused by exercise or over exerting yourself. However, it is not always exercise that can cause your asthma to flare up. If you are burning candles in a room without any windows open, this can cause a problem also, especially if the wick is made of metal or lead. These types of wicks send off carbon monoxide when you blow out the candle and they can burn harmful fumes into the air and trigger an asthma attack.
There are effects of global warming which are responsible for triggering asthma to be a little more sensitive. The spiking temperatures are frustrating for many people. If you love to spend the days San Diego whale watching on the beach during the fall and winter months you want to be careful. These colder seasons can cause you to flare into an attack. It is best to wear a scarf over your mouth before. This will ensure you warm the air as you breathe it in first.
If you have just won the Green Card Lottery and you want to do a lot of traveling it is important to understand the radical weather conditions. The spring often sends a lot of pollen into the air which is responsible for asthma attacks and even allergy problems for most people. During times of rapid plant growth can do the same. If the spring begins a little early it is important to be aware of this.
There are many other conditions with the weather besides spring that will cause allergies to flare up. Air pollution is another big factor. If you travel to a city like Phoenix you can see the pollution hovering in the air. Be sure anytime you travel or go out you have your doctor prescribed inhaler in case of an attack. Humidity in the air during the hot or freezing season can cause an attack also. Limit outdoor activities if the weather conditions seem like they might be a problem for your asthma.
There are many things that can trigger asthma attacks. If you have asthma you need to consider the weather conditions and the atmosphere when you are going outdoors. Forest fires nearby can put soot into the air that can make you very sick also. Days you should be cautious include extremely hot days, windy, high pollen count, humid, extremely cold, thunderstorms, and more. There are ways to be prepared for the weather when you have asthma. Be sure you have your inhaler with you at all times and have a scarf to wear over your face too.
Article source: http://www.cliniccareshop.com/blog/asthma-triggers-and-things-you-can-do/