Justines Asthma pages
My own asthma experience
MILLIONS SUFFERING WITH ALLERGIES
Millions of people suffer from allergies caused by everyday exposures to things such as dust mites, cat dander and pollens. Agents encountered by workers can also cause allergic reactions bringing on asthma symptoms, nasal and sinus allergies, hives and anaphylactic shocks. Examples of these work related agents include animal proteins, enzymes, flour rubber latex and certain reactive chemicals. Asthma is one of the more serious problems that can be caused by work related allergy. It can cause recurrent attacks and wheezing.
THE AIR THAT WE BREATH.
The air we breath in always contains dust, the amount and type of dust varies between different places and different times. It may cantain particals that some people are allergic to. When people are allergic their immune systems react to certain types of particals when they inhale or touch them. In a person with asthma they cause the airways to narrow which makes it harder for them to breathe. One allergen is house dust mites. They are microscopic creatures that live in their thousands and feed on the dead skin which we shed. They are found mainly in our beds and our carpets and their droppings are very tiny and become airbourne easily which causes allergies in some people.
ALLERGIES AND ASTHMA.
The best way (I have found anyway) is to make sure your house is well ventilated, and that floors are brushed and moped every day (Yes). Clean down all woodwork at least once a week with a slightly damp cloth (no polish sprays). Try using roll on deodrants instead of aerosols and just try and avoid using all perfumed aerosals. Pet allergen can be carried on clothing and transferred onto soft furnishings. It takes 3-4 months for cat allergen to disappear from a house after a cat has been removed. The best way to avoid allergies is to find out what exactly is causing them. This is the best way of stopping allergies. Avoid all moulds in the house also like in bathrooms, kitchens and pot plants. Most moulds produce spores that are airbourne.
COMMON ALLERGIES IN ASTHMA.
Common triggers:
- House dust mites.
- Pollens and moulds.
- Food additives.
- Animals.
WHAT HAPPENS IN AN ALLERGIC REACTION.
Basically an allergic reaction happens when the immune system reacts to a seemenly harmless substance. This is known as an allergen. Allergens are usually absorbed into the body by way of the skin, nasal passage, lungs or digestive tract. Once inside the body, allergens stimulate the lymphocytes (small white blood cells) to produce what are known as allergic antibodies. The reaction between these antibodies, which are attached to certain special cells (mast cells) leads to inflamation of the nose, eyes, lungs and the digestive tract. A stuffy nose, sneezing, wheezing, skin rash, watery eyes, abdominal cramps, and nausea are some of the most common complaints.
HAYFEVER AND ASTHMA.
Allergic rhinitis (hayfever) can be brought on at certain seasons by airbourne pollens of trees, grass and weeds. Other allergens cause hayfever all the year round. Hay fever symptoms include: Sneezing, watery eyes, runny nose, nasal congestion and an itchy mouth and throat. Hayfever can also be accompanied by conjuntinvitis (itchy swollen eyes) malaise, headache and sinus pain. I used to suffer terriably with hayfever as a child. My eyes would swell up that much that I could hardly see. All I did was sneeze and wheeze. I got injections every week for about a year for it but they also made my asthma really bad, so the doctor had to stop them. Thank goodness I only get it mildly in the spring now and not all year round.
ALLERGY TREATMENTS.
There are three main treatments.
1. Avoid the specific allergen.
2. Drugs can be taken for the organ affected.
3. Allergy shots and immunotherpy.
