Asthma Attacks

Asthma attacks occur when an allergen (a substance the body perceives as a threat, triggering an allergic reaction) or irritant triggers an exaggerated response in a person with asthma (chronically sensitized or inflamed airways). Shortness of breath, chest tightness, coughing and wheezing (a whistling or high-pitched sound that results when breathing tubes are narrowed or obstructed) are among the symptoms that appear as the airways constrict and air becomes trapped in the lungs.

An asthma attack targets the body’s bronchial tubes, which bring oxygen to the lungs when a person inhales and remove carbon dioxide from the body when a person exhales. The diameter of these tubes narrows dramatically during an asthma attack due to a combination of factors, including:

1) Inflammation and swelling of the lining of the tube
2) Mucus buildup in the tube
3) Smooth-muscle tightening around the tube

As a result, the person is less able to move air into and out of the lungs. A person experiencing an asthma attack must immediately take prescribed medication such as an inhaled bronchodilator or an injection of epinephrine contained in an allergy kit. The longer an attack continues, the greater the risk of severe health consequences. People experiencing an asthma attack who do not have medication or have symptoms that are not relieved with medication should seek immediate emergency medical care. In rare cases, asthma attacks can be fatal.

Childhood Asthma, Allergies Traced to Womb

At least some of the biological risk for childhood asthma and allergies traces back to the womb, new research suggests.

Both the order of birth and even the way a baby is delivered have a significant impact on the long-term strength of a child's allergic defenses, scientists say.

The findings were recently presented during the American Thoracic Society's International Conference, in Toronto.

At the meeting, one team of scientists said it had evidence indicating that when a specific genetic marker for allergic and asthmatic development is present among a first-born child, it appears to raise the risk for allergic conditions as far as 10 years down the road. However, when the exact same marker is present in a family's second or third child, the gene seems to have exactly the opposite effect -- actually lowering such risk.

"This is the first time it has been demonstrated that birth order can affect the behavior of genes related to asthma and allergies, and that birth order can therefore affect the risk for developing one or the other," said study author Dr. Wilfried Karmaus, a professor in the department of epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of South Carolina in Columbia.

Contact dermatitis

Contact dermatitis is any inflammation that occurs when the skin’s surface comes directly into contact with an allergen (substances that trigger an exaggerated immune system response) or irritant. Though uncomfortable, the condition is usually not serious, although it should not be left untreated. According to the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), contact dermatitis and eczema are responsible for over 7 million healthcare provider visits every year.

There are two types of contact dermatitis:

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Irritant contact dermatitis (ICD). Caused by a chemical or substance that is naturally irritating to the human skin (e.g., cosmetics, detergents, soaps, food, medication, metals, plants). The most common form of contact dermatitis, it usually resembles a burn.

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Allergic contact dermatitis (ACD). Caused by an allergic reaction. The reaction varies from a mild irritation to redness and open sores.

Symptoms of contact dermatitis include a red, raised rash on the skin that often itches. Diagnosis of the condition is based the skin’s appearance and the patient’s history of exposure to allergens or irritants.

In a majority of cases, treatment of this condition involves identifying and avoiding allergen triggers that cause contact dermatitis. Effective self-care treatment remedies include:

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Calamine lotion and cool oatmeal baths to relieve itching
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Cold compresses
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Washing with cool, soapy water immediately after exposure
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Moisturizers to help restore the skin’s normal texture

If contact dermatitis occurs frequently, an allergy specialist should be seen to help identify the underlying cause or rule out allergies. The physician may prescribe antihistamines and corticosteroid medications to treat any inflammation.

Asthma Tests

Physicians use a variety of techniques to determine if a person has asthma, and to manage asthma treatment. These include tests that:

1) Measure how efficiently a patient’s lungs are working. This may include pulmonary function tests and arterial blood gas tests.

2) Identify allergens or other factors that might trigger asthma symptoms. Tests for this purpose may include bronchoprovocation tests and allergy skin tests. Asthma is a chronic inflammation of the bronchial tubes that can lead to breathing problems.

3) Most asthma tests take place at a medical facility, but some – such as testing with a peak flow meter – can be performed by an individual at home. Experts agree that asthma tests present little or no risk of harm to the patient when done correctly.

4) The results of asthma tests may lead to a physician prescribing asthma medication and offering other preventative-care advice to individuals diagnosed with asthma. Once a person has been diagnosed with asthma, some tests will be repeated on a scheduled basis to monitor treatments.

About dust & dust mites and asthma

About dust & dust mites

Dust is an unavoidable part of life. Practically every activity in life generates dust. A human sitting at rest generates 100,000 dust particles per cubic foot of air every minute. The act of walking generates another 10 million particles per cubic foot of air every minute.

Household dust contains tiny particles of pollen, mold, fabric fibers, dander and dust mites. Dust can produce symptoms in individuals who are allergic to any of these allergens. However, dust mites are the source of most dust allergies.

Relatives of the spider, dust mites are microscopic arachnids one-third of a millimeter long that live indoors in household dust. Between 100 and 500 dust mites typically inhabit a single gram of dust, though in some cases the number can soar to 19,000.

Dust mites do not bite, spread disease or actually live on humans. However, dust mite feces contain a protein that is a powerful allergy trigger for many people. Each mite produces waste that is up to 200 times its body weight. Over time, the waste dries up and turns to powder, allowing it to become airborne. When an allergic person inhales the powder, an allergic reaction or asthma attack often follows. According to the Asthma and Allergy Foundation of America, about 20 million Americans are allergic to dust mites. The allergen is one of the most common causes of year-round allergy and asthma symptoms.

Dust mites are tough to eliminate because they have pads at the ends of their legs that allow them to firmly attach to the fibers in carpeting, upholstery and mattresses. They are found in great quantities in the bedroom, where they feed off the dead skin cells that people constantly shed. The average adult sheds enough skin each day to feed one million dust mites.

House dust mite populations tend to be smaller in areas at higher elevations (e.g., Rocky Mountain states), mostly due to the lack of moisture in these regions. Exposure to low humidity levels or extreme temperatures will kill most dust mites.

Dust springs from almost every corner of life. Matter that disintegrates eventually reduces to the particles that end up in dust, which can then become airborne. Many common allergens find their way into household dust, including:

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Molds
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Cockroach debris
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Dead dust mite debris
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Tobacco smoke and its toxic byproducts
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Fibers
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Food particles
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Pollens
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Plant and insect parts
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Hair, animal fur and feathers
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Dried pet saliva or urine
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Flakes of human skin and animal dander

Dust mites are microorganisms that thrive in settings where moisture and dust are abundant. In the United States, dust mite populations tend to peak in the warm, humid weather months. However, their fecal allergens remain present at high levels for months afterward, into early winter and beyond. Dust mites tend to congregate in the following areas:

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Mattresses and box springs
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Drapes and curtains
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Bed sheets, comforters, canopies and ruffles
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Clothing
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Upholstered furniture

How to fight seasonal allergies?

Allergies don't have to take the wind out of your sails. Cutting back on activities you enjoy, such as exercise, will only leave you feeling worse. The trick is to find ways to minimize your contact with allergens while you pursue sports and hobbies.
Outdoor Activity

Even if you are allergic to pollens or molds, you can still enjoy being outside. Here are some tips for preventing symptoms:

* Remain indoors in the morning, when outdoor pollen levels are usually their highest. Be especially careful on windy days.
* Take your vacation during the time when the pollen is at its worst. Choose a location where your exposure will be minimal. The seashore, for example, may be good place to go if you have pollen allergies. The National Allergy Bureau provides information about pollen counts all over the country. For more information go to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology Online.
* If you must work outdoors when pollen levels are high, wear a tightly fitting face mask designed to filter out pollen and keep it from reaching your nasal passages.
* Avoid spots where molds tend to be concentrated. For instance, let someone else mow the lawn and rake leaves.
* If you're going to stay at a cabin that has been closed up all winter, have someone air it out and clean it before you arrive.

Staying Fit And Symptom-Free

Exercise, which helps stimulate the cardiovascular system, is important for everyone. If you cut back on your exercise, you may end up gaining weight, feeling sluggish or getting the blues.