Asthma

Asthma is a disorder of the immune system where there is a failure of the body to make enough protective antibodies. It is a chronic inflammatory lung disease which has no cure. You can however help to control the symptoms of this disease for yourself and your loved ones.

Causes

There are basically two main causes.

1. airway constriction.

2. airway swelling.

caused by:

1. a reaction to a viral infection.

2. being genetically predisposed to it.

Asthma Symptoms

Coughing

Tightness or pressure in chest

Wheezing

Shortness of breath

Predisposition Factors

Low birth weight

Family history of this disease

Exposure to tobacco smoke during or after birth

History of respiratory infections

If you were raised in a low income environment

Male

Black or Puerto Rican

Presence of allergies

Presence of excema

Common Triggers

dust mites

pollen

cockroaches

smoke

cold air or temperature changes

hairspray

perfume

strong odors

powder

cleaning fluids

paints

animal dander

dried saliva from pets

feathers

flakes of skin

medications

preservatives in foods

stress--which can alter the immune system

You will want to limit your exposure to the above once it has been found to trigger your symptoms. In addition you might want to:

Remove all carpeting from your home.

Encase all mattresses and pillows in dust proof covers.

Wash bed linens each week.

Wear a dust mask (found at hardware stores) when cleaning.

Remove all pets from home.

Plan to purchase leather furniture in the future.

Have hardwood floors installed.

Put a thank you for not smoking sign at your front door.

Hire a person to clean your home. Or a cleaning company.

Hire someone else to paint in your home using low VOC Paint.

DO NOT plant flowering plants around your home.

Asthma Treatment

Here are two wonderful sites for more information:

This site even has information on insurance tips,infant sufferers, and asthma in children. Click here for help.

The next site is from someone from Indonesia. Since Fanda has this disease I felt it was important that her perspective be added to my site. There is nothing like advice from someone who has been there, done that. Click here for information from Fanda.

I would like to take this opportunity to apologize to all the sufferers of this disease that I have offended by wearing too much perfume all these years. I never realized that this was such a problem. I vow to wear very small amounts from now on. Again I apologize. Mea Culpa. --Marcella

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