Asthma...Causes. ..Triggers. ..&how to help yourself ?

Asthma...Causes. ..Triggers. ..&how to help yourself ?

Many things can cause asthma symptoms to start; these are called triggers. Every child's asthma triggers are different. Sometimes it can be difficult to figure out exactly what your child's asthma triggers are. Work with your child's doctor or nurse to identify your child's specific triggers. It is important to try to control your child's exposure to the triggers that make his or her asthma worse.

Irritants and allergies are the two main types of asthma triggers:

Irritants

Irritants are substances that irritate the nose, throat, or airways. Common irritants include:

• Cigarette smoke

• Strong smells

• Colds or other respiratory illnesses

• Chemicals

• Air pollutants

• Weather conditions

Allergies

Many children with asthma also have allergies, which can make asthma worse. With allergies, a child's immune system becomes sensitive to allergens, which can include:

pollen

• pet dander

• dust mites

• mold and mildew

• cockroaches

These allergens can increase inflammation (swelling) in the airways and trigger asthma. With continued inflammation, the airways become even more sensitive to triggers.

Other triggers Exercise

Exercise can trigger an asthma attack, often because of the inhaled cool and dry air. Long-term strenuous activities such as long distance running, are most likely to induce asthma. Swimming is the least likely.

Respiratory Infections and SinusitisInfections can cause irritation of the airways, nose, throat, lungs, and sinuses, and worsens asthma.

Gastroesophageal RefluxGERD, characterized by persistent reflux of stomach acids, is also sometimes found in children with asthma. Symptoms may include heartburn, coughing, belching, or infants spitting up. Sensitivity to Medications

These medications may cause asthmatic attacks due to sensitivities or allergies:

• aspirin

• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications, such as ibuprofen, indomethacin, naproxen

• sulfites used as preservatives in food and beverage Before giving your child any medication, including over-the-counter, talk with your child's physician. Emotional Anxiety and Nervous StressReactions from stress and anxiety are considered to be more of an effect than a cause. They can cause fatigue, which may affect the immune system and, in turn, increase either asthma symptoms or bring on an attack.

How to limit exposure to irritants:

• Smoke - Do not allow family and friends to smoke anywhere inside the house. Do not allow smoking in the car at any time. Smoke is very irritating in an enclosed area and its odor may be trapped in the car's upholstery for a long period of time and continue to trigger symptoms. When eating out, always sit in non-smoking sections of restaurants. You should also have non-smoking childcare providers.

• Strong perfumes/odors - Your child should avoid things that have a strong smell such as cleaning products, perfumes, hair spray, tar, fresh paint, gasoline, insect sprays, and room deodorizers. Avoid spraying these things and using cleaning solutions when your child is home. • Germs - Teach your child to wash her hands often, which will decrease her likelihood of catching a cold or the flu. Many children with asthma should get the flu shot each year. Check with your child's doctor to see if this is right for your child.

• Chemicals - Your child should avoid being near things like coal, chalk and talcum powder. Air pollutants Weather conditions -- changes in temperature, barometric pressure, humidity and strong winds

• Air pollutants - Keep your child away from air pollutants such as smog and exhaust from cars or factories as much possible. How to limit exposure to allergies: If you think your child may have allergies, talk to your child's pediatrician or nurse about getting a referral to an allergist. An allergist can do skin tests on your child to find out exactly what he is allergic to and what your child should avoid so he can breathe easier.

• DustDust mites, tiny insect-like creatures found in mattresses, carpets and upholstered furniture, thrive in warm, humid conditions and feed on the shed scales of human skin. You can prevent allergy symptoms caused by dust mites by limiting your child's exposure to them. Pay attention to the room(s) where your child spends most of her time.

• beds - Beds should have wooden or metal frames. Don't have your child sleep on a couch or hide-a-bed sofa. If your child sleeps in a bunk bed, he should sleep in the top bunk.

• mattress/box spring - Cover mattresses and box springs with zippered, dust-proof covers and put electrical or duct tape over the zippers.

• pillows - Put pillows in dust-proof covers. Pillows should be made of Dacron or other synthetic fiber. Never use foam, feather or "down" pillows.

• bedding - Wash bedding (sheets, pillowcases, blankets and comforters) in very hot water, which kill the dust mites. Dry the bedding in a dryer instead of hanging outdoors where pollen may stick to them while wet. Do not use wool or down blankets.

• floor coverings - Avoid having wall-to-wall carpeting in your home. If you can't get rid of carpeting, vacuum it often (at least twice a week) and change the vacuum filter or bag periodically. Vacuum when your child with asthma is away and will not return to the room for several hours because of the dust that can be stirred up. Use multi-layered vacuum bags instead of regular single layer bags. Wood, tile, or vinyl flooring should be mopped at least weekly, and avoid using rugs on these floors.

• closets - Closets should store only clothing and should also be dusted and cleaned as often as the rooms. Keep clothes in closets, and not lying around the room.

• furnace (heating) - Electric or gas heat is better than wood stoves or kerosene heaters. Change air filters on the furnace every month and cover furnace outlets with filters. This will catch dust from the furnace before it can get into the air.

• air purifier - HEPA filter units can help to remove airborne allergens.

• air conditioners - Change or clean filters in either window units or central air-conditioning systems each month. Keep windows closed, especially in the summer.

• walls - Try not to put up pennants, pictures, wreaths, flower arrangements or other dust catchers on the walls.

• window coverings -Put up window shades instead of heavy curtains or Venetian/mini blinds. If you have curtains, wash them each month in hot water.

• humidifier - Humidifiers can make dust mites grow because of the high humidity. Instead, use a dehumidifier and keep humidity at less than 50 percent in your home.

• furniture -Instead of upholstered (stuffed) furniture, furnish your home with trendy wooden or plastic furniture. Avoid open shelving that will constantly need to be dusted.

• playing - Keep your child from jumping on beds or playing on carpeted floors, and avoid fabric toys or stuffed animals. If your child has stuffed animals, wash them in hot water often, or place them in the freezer overnight at least once a week to kill the dust mites and then shake them out. Store other toys in a toy chest with the lid closed to keep them from collecting dust.

• sleeping and napping - Your child should nap or sleep in her own dust-free bed only. When traveling, make sure she takes a non-allergic pillow with her. Do not have stuffed animals in the bed. If necessary, limit them to one or two favorites and clean them as above.

• PollensPollens can be high between February and November in many areas. If your child is allergic to pollen, keep the windows in your car and in your house closed and use air conditioning to keep cool instead.

• Animal danderPets with fur or feathers can cause trigger allergies. Avoid having pets with fur or feathers if your child is allergic to pet dander, and avoid visiting other homes where there are certain pets.

• Mold/MildewMold and mildew grow in dark, humid areas with poor ventilation. Make sure no place in your home allows mold or mildew to grow.

• outdoors - Avoid damp, shady areas where mold or mildew can grow. Clean up fallen leaves and avoid cutting the grass when your child is around. If your child is allergic to grass, trees or pollens, have him shower or bathe, shampoo, and change his clothes when he comes inside.

• bathrooms and kitchens - Use exhaust fans when cooking or using the shower to help keep mold or mildew from growing. Clean the area with cleansers that contain bleach.

• in the house - Use the air conditioner, and avoid using humidifiers, where mold/mildew can grow in the water tank. If you use one, clean it daily with bleach. It's better to keep indoor humidity to less than 50 percent. Use a dehumidifier instead, and clean it daily also.

• CockroachesThe substance that cockroaches leave behind can cause allergies in some people. Cockroaches are often found in warm climates and in homes in cities, but they also can be found in cooler climates because of the use of central heat. Use roach traps or a professional exterminator to get rid of cockroaches.

How exercise can help:

Even though exercise can trigger asthma symptoms, your child should not limit his participation in sports and exercise, unless told to by his pediatrician. Exercise is good for the heart, lungs and a child's overall health.

Some sports such as running long distances and playing basketball may be harder for your child to do, but there are many activities which are great for children with asthma such as swimming, golf and karate. Always make sure your child has a warm-up and cool-down period before and after exercising, and alert coaches or instructors that your child has asthma. Have your child use her reliever medication 15 to 20 minutes before starting exercise, or as directed by her physician. If your child needs her quick reliever more than twice weekly, talk to your child's health care provider about a daily controller medicine.

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