Tag Archives: asthma attack

Managing Asthma in Cold Weather

Trying to exercise in cold weather (that includes shoveling snow!) can trigger problems if you suffer from asthma. Experts believe that the cold, dry air of winter can irritate airways, causing the bronchial tubes to narrow. This can restrict airflow into your lungs! Adding exercise to the mix — your body’s breathing patterns change when you’re working out — can put even more strain on your lungs. For a person without asthma, exercise in cold weather may not be an issue. But for a person with asthma, you could be looking at an asthma attack. You may experience coughing (especially … Continue reading →

Asthma and Weather

If you have asthma, what triggers an attack for you may be very different from what triggers an attack for another person. Common asthma triggers include: smoke, air pollution, dust mites, mold, and animal dander. But for some people, the weather itself can trigger an asthma attack. Extreme cold, high humidity, and even thunderstorms can kick off an asthma attack. Many chronic lung issues are exacerbated by weather — so the problem isn’t unique to asthmatics. It used to be that experts suggested asthmatics live in warm, dry climates. But nowadays, we have a lot of technology that lets us … Continue reading →

Allergies and Asthma

Allergies can trigger an asthma attack. Otherwise harmless substances (known as allergens) can sometimes cause a reaction in the immune system — allergies are your immune system’s reaction to an allergen like pollen, mold, or dust. Certain allergies can cause extra problems for people with asthma. Inhaled allergens are probably the worst for people with asthma — inhaled allergens directly affect the nasal passages and lungs and can lead to an asthma attack. People with asthma should attempt to identify inhaled allergens that they are sensitive to. You may have problems with animal dander, dust mites, mold, and pollen. Food … Continue reading →

Managing Asthma at School

You can’t be with your asthmatic child every hour of every day. Many children with asthma have symptoms during the school day! Getting the school involved with caring for your child’s asthma will help ensure that your child gets the care he needs when he has an attack. Asthma attack prevention includes making sure your child understands the disease. Explain as much as he can understand. If your child is responsible enough, make sure he knows when and how to take his medicine, how to use his inhaler properly, and how to use a peak flow meter to measure his … Continue reading →

Asthma In Children

Asthma is the number one cause of chronic illness in children. As many as twelve percent of children in the United States suffer from asthma. The disease can affect anyone at any age, but most children have their first symptoms by the age of five. Risk factors for developing asthma include: Allergies Family history of allergies Family history of asthma Frequent respiratory infections Low birth weight Exposure to tobacco smoke before and after birth Being male Watch for these symptoms if you suspect your child has asthma: frequent coughing, lack of energy during play, rapid breathing, wheezing, and complaints of … Continue reading →

Asthma: Overview

More than twelve million Americans suffer from asthma — including approximately ten percent of children under the age of eighteen. Asthma can occur at any age, but is most common in people under the age of forty. It is very common in people with allergies and those who are exposed to tobacco smoke. In a normal person’s lungs, there are bands of muscle around the airways. These muscles are normally relaxed, allowing air to move freely. In people with asthma, the bands are tight and air moves less freely. The reduced air intake can make a person with asthma feel … Continue reading →