Dealing with Asthma (Part 1)

Introduction

If you have asthma, you know the dreaded choking sensation, the faintness, the anxiety. It's as if someone made you run around the block, then pinched your nose shut and forced you to breathe through a straw. And you know all too well that once an asthma attack starts, it won't go away by itself. Asthma sufferers make up an estimated five to ten percent of the population. And while no two persons with asthma are alike in the subtle characteristics of the condition, they do have one thing in common:

They have trouble breathing properly. The reason is that their lungs are supersensitive and easily provoked into constriction by a wide variety of outside factors, called triggers. As you have probably discovered, perhaps the hard way, many things can set an asthma attack into motion--someone's perfume, a smoke-filled room, a friendly dog, a flowery garden, a strong wind, or even a good laugh. (Asthma, however, is a hereditary condition, so unless a person is genetically predisposed, nothing will make asthma happen.)

Triggers can be allergic or nonallergic, and reactions can be immediate or delayed. While there is no cure for asthma, the good news is that asthma--whether mild, moderate, or severe--can be managed. Doctors who specialize in treating asthma can be very helpful. Every patient with asthma should see a doctor to be sure another cause of wheezing is not present and, if true atopic asthma is present, to develop a therapeutic program for managing the disorder. In addition to working with your doctor, you can take measures to help control your asthma. The key is to track down the triggers and, as completely as possible, eliminate them from your life. In short, you can help counter an asthma attack before it happens.

Here's how: Smite the mite

Dust mites are microscopic insects that thrive on food debris and high humidity. Since they are among the most common allergic asthma triggers, dustproofing is a must.

Here are a few:
* Enclose your mattress in an airtight, dustproof cover, then cover it with a washable mattress pad. Keep a bedspread on the bed during the day.
* Wash your sheets in hot water every week, wash your mattress pads and synthetic blankets every two weeks, and wash your pillows every month.
* Use polyester or dacron pillows, not those made of kapok or feathers, and enclose them in airtight, dustproof covers.
* Avoid carpeting, which is difficult to clean; stick to bare floors with washable area rugs.
* Choose washable curtains instead of draperies.
* Try not to do heavy cleaning, but if you must, use only a vacuum cleaner and damp cloth to clean; dust mops and brooms stir up the dust.

Always use hot water. "Cold water is like a day in the sun to a dust mite," says Weinstein.
* Wear a mask over your mouth and nose while cleaning, and leave the room when you're done.
* Run an air conditioner or dehumidifier in warm weather, especially in spring and fall when mites multiply.
Aim to keep the humidity level in your home under 40 percent but above 25 percent.
* Consider using an air purifier in the bedroom to keep the room free from dust particles.

Minimize mold
Fungus is a parasite that can literally 'grow on you. It can grow on nonliving organic material, too, in several forms--mold, dry rot, and downy mildew. Fungi reproduce by producing spores. The spores are the real problem, as millions of them float through the air to be inhaled in every breath, touching off an allergic reaction that can contribute to asthma. To stave off the spores, you can:

Keep your windows closed, because the mold spores can come right in through the windows even if the windows have screens.

Stay out of attics, basements, and other dank, musty places.
Wear a face mask and give your bathroom a going-over for signs of mold. (Better yet, have a nonallergic family member do this.) The most likely spots for mold growth: dark areas, such as the backs of cabinets and under the sink.

Examine all closets regularly to see that molds have not set up housekeeping in unused shoes and boots.

On a regular basis, have a family member or friend investigate the inner workings of air conditioners, humidifiers, and vaporizers in your home where molds like to grow.

Periodically check houseplants for mold growth. In fact, getting rid of mold will help your plants, as well.