Health and wellness

There are numerous chronic diseases that we get to hear of, and one of them is Asthma. Some people might take it lightly, but in reality, it is one of the most fatal diseases. This is why we are going to share with you some tips for the prevention of asthma in this blog, so keep reading.

What Is Asthma?

Do you know that asthma is a condition that affects nearly 30 million Americans? Yes, that’s true! Kids and adults are equally likely to have it. Most children with asthma may get cured as they get older, but for some, the condition becomes chronic. The scariest thing about asthma is that if you do not know the symptoms and ways to prevent asthma, the lung condition can kill you. But worry not as there are numerous ways for the prevention of asthma so that you can take better control of your life or your child’s life. 

What Are the Ways to Prevent Asthma Attacks?

Here we are sharing with you some expert asthma prevention tips to help you navigate the disease better: 

1. Identify Triggers and Stay Away from Them

Asthma attack symptoms are not the same for everyone, but there are some common triggers. Yes, you heard it right! Asthma trigger avoidance can be implemented if you know what factors increase your risk of getting an asthma attack and stay away from them. Common triggers include:

• Smoke
• Perfume
• Air pollution
• Cold air
• Getting sick
• Pollen
• Stress
• Exercise

Most people can learn what triggers they need to ignore on their own. But for others, there are triggers they know they have but do not know what the source is.

In times like this, it’s helpful to create an asthma diary to track everything you do and the locations you visit. You should keep a log for several weeks so that you can know your triggers and work on the prevention of asthma attacks.

Find ways to keep your home and workplace free from allergens. It would help if you become mindful of the locations you visit and travel to.

You should know that there are emotional and physical factors that can cause asthma. So, attacks can happen while working out or occur during periods of stress, depression, or shock.

2. Boost Your Immunity

Remember that anyone can benefit from a healthy immune system, especially those who have asthma. You can boost your immune system by taking vitamin C, drinking plenty of water, and eating foods rich in antioxidants and vitamins to equip your body with the nutrition it needs.

Having a strong immune system can prevent you from getting sick often, which can cause attacks. It would help if you also washed your hands often to lower the chances of getting respiratory infections.

If you have several allergies, you may want to consider getting allergy shots for better prevention of asthma. Getting all your vaccinations can also prove to be useful.

Other than getting flu shots to protect you against the flu virus, it will help to get a pneumonia shot (Pneumovax) as well. This is a shot you should get every 5-10 years. Other vaccinations include the zoster vaccine, which shields you from shingles, and Tdap, which protects you against whooping cough, tetanus, and diphtheria.

3. Follow Your Doctor’s Asthma Prevention Strategies.

Your doctor understands your condition and generally tries to create a personalized action plan for asthma attack prevention. They give you your medications and advise you on how to use the peak flow meter.

This meter is sufficient for measuring how well air travels throughout your lungs. It can also let you know in advance when your airways are narrow ahead of time before symptoms show. Yes, that’s true. And this alone can save you from an attack before it happens.

Peak flows let you know how fast you can expel air from your lungs and provide readings to measure your results. But remember that you must understand the zones to see if your breathing is optimal or if you are in danger.

There are also spirometry tests the doctor may add to the plan to see how much air your lungs can contain and how much air you can release following a deep breath. This is known as forced expiratory volume (FEV), and the recording is often expressed as a percentage.

4. Take Your Medications

Asthma attacks account for about 25% of all emergency visits in the US. Yes, that’s true. But it is believed that many of these attacks could have been prevented in situations when asthma medications were taken as prescribed.

You need to keep in mind that one of the key tips for preventing asthma attacks is to take your medications as prescribed by your doctor. This is because it helps address the symptoms and stop them before they can surface. The best way of controlling asthma attacks is with the use of long-term medications like:

• Cromolyn
• Theophylline
• Oral corticosteroids
• Inhaled corticosteroids
• Leukotriene modifiers
• Inhaled long-acting anticholinergics/beta-agonists

There are also medications available that the doctors prescribe to provide fast relief in case you have an attack. They also provide inhaled short-acting anticholinergics and beta-agonists when needed.

Some doctors recommend the use of biological drugs that treat asthma by working with your immune system. This drug works by blocking immune responses responsible for causing the airways to get inflamed and contract. Remember that biological drugs like omalizumab (Xolair) are monoclonal antibodies used in cases of severe symptoms.

5. Take Necessary Precautions

We feel that for the prevention of asthma, it is crucial now more than ever to get as much fresh air as possible. After the coronavirus, more people prefer to stay indoors, and closed spaces pose various risks for people with asthma. Yes, that’s true.

When you are in closed spaces, you are more likely to expose yourself to allergens and infectious diseases. So, it is important to remember the chances of exposing yourself to allergens and viruses when you remain in areas void of ventilation.

Remember that those with asthma are more sensitive to risks and complications related to infectious diseases, so you should be sure to follow the guidelines the CDC advises.

Final Thoughts

All in all, we can say that asthma is a significant problem in the US. And the saving factor about the chronic condition is that it’s controllable. But remember that prevention of asthma is possible only when you follow the above-mentioned tips.

Knowing what your triggers are, boosting your immunity, listening to your doctor, and exposing yourself to fresh air as much as possible is essential. You should never skip taking your medications either. Most doctors prescribe anti-asthmatics, like Asmanex, to their patients.

You need to keep in mind that when you live with asthma for a long time, you must refill the medication often. You can skip the trip to the drugstore by starting an order online to have the life-saving medication you need to be delivered to you.

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Do you find yourself tossing and turning at night, struggling to catch your breath? If yes, it could be a surprising culprit – Sleep apnea. This condition can cause interruptions in breathing during sleep. Moreover, it might eventually lead to restless nights and potentially serious health consequences.

In this blog, you will learn about the causes, symptoms, and treatments of sleep apnea. So, keep reading!

What Is Sleep Apnea?

To begin with, Sleep Apnea is when an individual thinks that they are resting but, there is a complication that is interrupting their sleep continuously throughout their bedtime hours. This in return leaves them waking feeling really unrested and as if they need to go right back to sleep. It can be considered as a sleep disorder that is often caused by a blockage in the airway or by the brain failing to signal the muscles to breathe.

Now, there are 3 different types of sleep apnea that an individual can suffer from. The types include obstructive sleep apnea, central sleep apnea, and complex sleep apnea. Each of these types of sleep apnea varies in degree of severity and the symptoms that are felt.

But the most important thing to understand is what causes these types of sleep apnea and how they can be prevented.

Exploring the Three Types of Sleep Apnea and Their Underlying Causes

1. Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) is the most common type of sleep apnea. It occurs when the tissues at the back of the throat relax during sleep, which can block the airways and cause loud snoring. These blockages can cause you to stop breathing for short periods, leading to disrupted sleep and daytime fatigue.
2. Central Sleep Apnea is less common and involves the central nervous system failing to signal the muscles that control breathing. Unlike OSA, people with Central Sleep Apnea typically don’t snore, and they may wake up gasping for breath or feeling short of breath. The condition can also cause insomnia and daytime fatigue.
3. Lastly, Complex Sleep Apnea is a combination of both Central and Obstructive Sleep Apnea. This condition is relatively rare and can be challenging to diagnose and treat. People with Complex Sleep Apnea are at a higher risk of developing complications, including high blood pressure, heart disease, and stroke.

Want to know about its symptoms? Read on without hurry.

Sleep Apnea: Signs to Look Out for and Potential Complications

This Sleep disorder is characterized by breathing pauses during sleep, loud snoring, and frequent awakenings during the night. While many people who have Sleep Apnea may not realize it, there are several sleep apnea symptoms to look out for. These include:

• Loud, chronic snoring
• Gasping or choking during sleep
• Waking up with a dry mouth or sore throat
• Morning headaches
• Difficulty staying asleep
• Daytime sleepiness or fatigue
• Irritability or mood swings
• Memory or concentration problems

Additionally, if you or any of your relatives are experiencing any of these symptoms, it’s essential to talk to your doctor. If left untreated, Sleep Apnea can lead to several complications, including:

• High blood pressure
• Heart disease
• Stroke
• Diabetes
• Depression
• Worsening of ADHD symptoms
• Increased risk of accidents due to daytime sleepiness

Fortunately, there are several effective treatments available for Sleep Apnea. Know about it below.

Preventing Sleep Apnea: Treatment and Prevention

Treatment options for sleep apnea include:

• Continuous Positive Airway Pressure (CPAP) therapy, which uses a machine to deliver air pressure to keep the airway open
• Oral appliances, which can help keep the airway open by moving the jaw forward
• Surgery, which may be recommended in severe cases to remove tissue or reposition the jaw

Lifestyle changes that can help prevent sleep apnea or improve symptoms include:

• Losing weight if necessary
• Avoiding alcohol and sedatives, which can relax the airway muscles
• Sleeping on your side instead of your back
• Keeping the nasal passages open with saline sprays or allergy medications
• Quitting smoking, which can reduce inflammation in the airways and improve breathing

By following the above-mentioned Sleep apnea treatment and prevention tips, you can make sure to reduce the risk of getting one.

Sleep Apnea Treatment

In sleep apnea diagnosis in most cases, the patient has been prescribed a CPAP treatment. Continuous Positive Airway Pressure treatments allow the patient to wear a mask while sleeping over the nose and mouth that in return delivers continuous pressure through the airways thus preventing sleep apnea disturbances from occurring.

Bottom Line

Overall, Sleep apnea can be a serious and often overlooked condition that disrupts the quality of sleep and overall health. If you or someone you know is experiencing symptoms such as snoring, excessive daytime sleepiness, or morning headaches, it is important to seek medical attention and potentially undergo a sleep study to diagnose and treat any underlying sleep apnea. With proper treatment and management, individuals can improve their sleep quality and overall well-being.

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If the warmer temperatures and the blooming flowers haven’t clued you in, the arrival of seasonal allergies is sure to let you know that spring is here. Well, many people deal with such allergies, right? Well, of course, yes.

But, if the symptoms have notoriously let loose upon you, don’t lose hope as you are not the only one. Many people experience seasonal allergy symptoms such as runny nose, irritated eyes, and congestion. But for seasonal allergy relief, there are several home remedies along with the additional aid of allergy medication.

4 Home Remedies for Seasonal Allergies to Alleviate Your Symptoms.

• Avoid High Pollen Counts

Before heading outside, plan ahead and check the local pollen count. Avoiding the outdoors when the pollen count is high is the best way to deal with seasonal allergies, especially if pollen is an allergen for you. Remember that pollen counts are usually higher during midday, 10 am to 2 pm. But some other factors including humidity and location also affect the pollen count as well. So, planning outdoor activities when the pollen count is low is an ideal way to get natural relief from seasonal remedies and will also help you enjoy your day without the interference of allergies.

• Keep Your Clothes Clean

If you are wondering how to stop seasonal allergies, remember that one of the best home remedies for seasonal allergies is keeping your clothes clean. After being outside, change your clothes after taking a shower. This will minimize your exposure to outdoor allergens. Remember that this is beneficial if you happen to step out when the pollen count is high 

• Use Dryer at Home 

If you don’t suffer from seasonal allergies, it is best to leave your clothes hanging outside to dry as it’ll help you save energy as well. But for those who are dealing with seasonal allergies, it is best if you use the dryer because hanging laundry outside will cause a large build-up of allergens on your clothes. 

• Focus On Good House Keeping 

If you also suffer from year-round seasonal allergies, then it is best to prevent them from occurring as well because when it comes to allergies, the more is not the merrier. Typical year-round allergies, often caused by allergens such as dust and mold, are best avoided when there is no place for the accumulation of said allergens. Mold typically accumulates in the bathroom, thus, to avoid mold growth, leave the fan running up to thirty minutes after a shower or bath. Also, you should reduce the clutter in your home to make sure that there is no dust getting collected anywhere.

Final Words 

I hope that now you know what to do for seasonal allergies. Just make sure that you use the above-mentioned remedies, and you will be able to fight seasonal allergies effectively.

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We all know about a variety of diseases, but have you heard of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease? Well, it is one of the most dangerous diseases related to the lungs. So, do you want to know about it in detail? If yes, keep reading! 

Understanding Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease (COPD)

Before moving any further, let’s first focus on ‘what is COPD’. What does COPD stand for? Well, it is a progressive lung disease that makes it hard to breathe. COPD occurs when the passages to the lungs get obstructed, lose their elasticity, or become thick and inflamed. 

Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – What Are Its Causes?

Cigarette smoking is the leading cause of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. It has been seen that most people with COPD either smoke or used to smoke in the past. Other causes of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease include long-term exposure to pollutants, chemical fumes, and dust.

Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease: A Look at Its Types

You need to keep in mind that obstructive lung disease is of two types. Emphysema occurs when the walls of the air sacs in the lungs are damaged. The sacs become floppy, and the exchange of gases in the lungs gets reduced.

On the other hand, people who have chronic bronchitis find that their airways are constantly irritated and inflamed. This causes the lining of the airway to thicken, and leads to the production of excess mucus, making it difficult to breathe.

Remember that most people who have chronic obstructive pulmonary disease have both Emphysema and Chronic Bronchitis, so the term “COPD” is used universally.

What Are the Symptoms of Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease?

The symptoms of chronic obstructive lung disease come on gradually and eventually become so severe that they limit daily activities. Some of the most common symptoms include:

• Shortness of breath
• Wet cough, with excess mucus
• Frequent lung infections that are difficult to treat
• Wheezing
• Fatigue
• Unintended weight loss

Pathophysiology Of Chronic Obstructive Pulmonary Disease – Treatments

After getting familiar with all the COPD information, let’s now understand its treatments. Although there is no cure for COPD and doctors have not yet figured out how to reverse the damage, the symptoms can be managed. Yes, you heard it right. Lifestyle changes coupled with treatment allow most people to live productive lives despite the disease. Treatment options include:

Bronchodilators (Short-acting Beta 2 agonists):

These are fast-acting inhalers that open the air passages and make breathing easier. They are designed for “instant relief”, but the effects are short-lived. Side effects include a headache, muscle cramps, shakiness, rapid heartbeat, insomnia, and irritability.

Bronchodilators (Long-acting Beta 2 agonists):

These inhalers work the same way as short-acting agonists, but the effects are more long reaching. Rather than being an “emergency” medicine, these are maintenance medications designed to control the symptoms of COPD. The side effects are the same as the short-acting inhalers.

Bronchodilators (Anticholinergics):

These are also inhalers but are designed for long-term usage at all stages of COPD.

Other than the above-mentioned ones, some oral medications and oxygen therapy are also used to treat chronic obstructive pulmonary disease.

Final Words 

We hope that after all this information if someone asks you to define COPD or talk about it, you will be able to do so. Remember that chronic obstructive pulmonary disease cannot be cured or reversed, but it can be prevented. If you are a smoker, stopping now will help in decreasing your chances of getting COPD, and if you already have it, stopping smoking will help to lessen your symptoms and increase the chances of successful treatment. 

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