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What is Asthma?

Asthma is a chronic and non-curable disease which affects the respiratory system in the human body, and which has certain triggers such as that of environmental triggers, which are able to heighten the ability for and trigger that of an asthma attack. Although asthma is a recurring disease with no form of curability at the present time, there are different forms of asthma medication that are prescribed to asthmatics, especially those with a particularly severe case, and an asthma medication is extremely helpful because it can help an asthmatic not only to keep their asthma under control but also to help them prevent the onset of attacks.

What are the Various Forms of Asthma Medication That are Available Today?

The most common type of asthma medication is that of an inhaler. There are two different basic types of inhalers: a metered-dose inhaler and a dry powder inhaler. The metered-dose inhalers work by using a chemical propellant to push out the medication from the inhaler, and this medication can either be released by squeezing the canister or by that of direct inhalation. With dry powder inhalers on the other hand, the medication is released by your inhaling more rapidly than you would with that of a metered-dose inhaler.

There are also several different forms of asthma medication that are released from inhalers, of which asthma medication is released will obviously depend on your own personal circumstances and the severity of your asthma. Some of the most common forms are: short-acting bronchodilators, which are medications such as albuterol, and pirbuterol, and which are used to provide immediate relief of asthma symptoms; and long-acting bronchodilators, which are used to relieve that of asthma symptoms for longer periods of time.

There are also three other incredibly common forms of medication, which are: corticosteroids, which are used long term in order to prevent asthma attacks, and which includes such medications as beclomethasone dipropionate, fluticasone, budesonide, and flunisolide; cormolyn or nedocromil, which are nonsteroidal medications which are typically used long term in order to prevent inflammation of the airways; and corticosteroid plus long-acting bronchodilator, which is a medication which combines that of a corticosteroid and a long-acting bronchodilator.

The only way you can be sure of which type of medication is best for your asthma is by consulting your physician. It will usually be a quite simple task for them to determine which type of medication is most proper for you, with the results depending primarily on how severe your asthma is on a regular basis.

Asthma is an ailment due to which a person finds it difficult to breathe due to the sudden constriction of the airway passage and lungs. The constriction often takes place after being triggered off by some allergen. Many times, such attacks are very serious (not to mention scary) and this is where the asthma nebulizer comes in handy.

What is an Asthma Nebulizer?

The asthma nebulizer is a tiny machine that consists of three major parts – the main body is T-shaped, the second is the mouthpiece, which will go into the mouth of the patient, and the third is the cup that holds the medicine. Normally these machines run on electricity and have adaptors that can fit in the car as well so it can be used wherever you are.

How to Use an Asthma Nebulizer?

First, you should ensure that your hands and the machine are both clean. If the machine is fitted with a multi-dose medicine bottle, ensure that you have taken out the right amount in the asthma nebulizer. Alternatively, if the medicine bottle is a single dose one, then you will just have to twist it open so the medicine falls into the machine.

The next step is to attach the mouthpiece to the T-shaped part of the asthma nebulizer, connect it to the cup and the compressor port tube. Once the whole system is ready, hold the apparatus in a straight position, insert the mouth piece in your mouth (preferably between your teeth) closing your mouth over it in an air tight manner and then check by turning on the compressor a little at a time.

If the machine works, then you will see it mist over. As soon as it mists, start inhaling deeply through your mouth for about five seconds. After every breath is taken in, allow the mist to escape by opening the valve. Be sure you hold your breath for about 10 seconds before exhaling so the medicine has enough time to do what it is intended to do in the lungs.

The method should be continued until you exhaust all the medicine from the asthma nebulizer. This may take anywhere from three to five minutes. You will know when the nebulizer is empty when it starts making sputtering noises.

Once you have finished, ensure that the machine is cleaned properly and stored in a dirt-free place ready for the next use.

There are several factors that can influence asthma symptoms and make them greater in sufferers of the affliction. Learning about asthma prevention can help with those symptoms and decrease their harmful effect on the body of the sufferer, helping to overcome the affliction and live a life despite the conditions. Asthma prevention is, effectively, a lifestyle change that alters the way in which a sufferer handles their condition and handles their life outside of the condition. This can change all of the facets of life into something different and can affect the way life is lived in general.

To many, asthma can be a frustrating condition that can stop people from living normal lives and from being as active as they would have wished. With a little bit of awareness and care, most asthma sufferers can handle the condition to a certain degree and can enable a sort of healing in a sense that living a life properly becomes more of a possibility. This type of asthma prevention is based on simply changing the mind of the sufferer and changing the type of suffering. It involves a minor change in mindset and a major shift in lifestyle choices that affect the way the disorder manifests itself.

Lifestyle Changes

For starters, reducing general exposure to environmental triggers of asthma can be an important piece of the puzzle. Staying away from pollens, molds, animal dander or fluff, and tobacco smoke are important parts to keeping asthma prevention at the forefront of a health strategy. Keep the home or living space cooled to a certain temperature; most physicians recommend a temperature of around 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit for asthma sufferers. Providing air filtration systems that take care of filtering out harmful components from the air is also a good option for asthma prevention.

Wearing a mask when clearing out any outdoors areas is a good idea as this prevents any dust or dirt from entering the lungs. A good idea is also to add a mold inhibitor to paint, especially in areas more susceptible to dampness such as a washroom. This prevents the growing of any problematic mold pockets that are harmful to asthma sufferers. For asthma prevention, the key component is to prevent the problems from spreading around the home and creating a home that is air-friendly. The main factor in prevention is being prepared for anything that could come up, so sparing no expense should be considered.

There is always hope – the whole world lives on hope.

Asthma management is a relatively recent term encompassing methods, techniques and modalities used to deal with asthma and asthmatic symptoms. The main idea is to assist those suffering with asthma in carrying on with a normal life, or as normal a life as humans aspire towards.

So much has been written about asthma management already and as more is understood about asthma, the available knowledge base grows. In the United States, the National Asthma Council not only compiles but brings together asthma management resources from multiple sources.

Internet search engines further facilitate access to traditional and alternative asthma management techniques. The world of science has opened up new and promising air function research that looks both forward and backward in time to unlock clues to elusive solutions.

Traditional Treatments

Traditional asthma medications play a significant role in management theory. These consist of inhalers that basically treat air availability issues such as airway constriction or obstruction. Primarily anti-inflammatory, prescription drugs act on the body’s adrenal and epinephrine activators related to muscles. Whether to treat the condition daily or on occurrence is a discussion to have with one’s primary doctor or asthma specialist.

Pediatric considerations play a paramount part and require separate asthma management focus. Since philosophies and guidelines keep changing, it is best to stay abreast of medical advances. Simply put this requires maintaining more than a casual monitoring of events. Rightly so as there is nothing casual about an asthma attack.

Alternative Medicine

Modern asthma management takes alternative therapies seriously. With the recent onset of acupuncture, ayurvedic medicine and homeopathy in western society, available options for treatments are more holistic in nature and have flourished.

Each modality has its own strengths and shortcomings but they are worth investigating. Many MD’s are now working these complementary therapies into their treatment regimes for asthma patients. Asthma management has stepped into the 21st century with the addition of ancient remedies.

Action Plan

A discussion would be incomplete without considering the Action Plan – a vital and potentially life-saving element. We are all adding action plans to our lifestyles in preparation for emergencies - floods, hurricanes and other disasters. In the life of one who suffers asthmatic attacks, this is not just for peace of mind. Asthma management means knowing what to do, who to call and which medication to take.

Conclusion

In a nutshell, asthma management is about survival and it’s about working solutions to reach and maintain a normal life. With hope, diligence and determined effort, the asthma sufferer can live and grow, benefiting from the positive approaches modern asthma management offers.

Limit refined carbohydrates
Concentrated sources of sugar like soda, candy, fruit juice, jam and syrup can create radical spikes (and drops!) in your blood sugar — which leaves you feeling cranky and tired. And although refined, white starches like white bread, crackers, bagels and rice do not naturally contain sugar compounds, they are metabolized into sugar very quickly and can often create the same effect.

Combine high-quality carbohydrates and lean protein
Protein and high-fiber carbs (specifically carbs rich in soluble fiber, like oats, barley, certain fruits and veggies) have the ability to slow down the absorption of sugar in your blood and therefore lessen blood sugar and mood swings. Try an egg white omelet loaded with veggies for breakfast; grilled chicken and peppers in a whole-grain tortilla wrap for lunch; shrimp-broccoli stir-fry over brown rice for dinner; and snack on apple slices with peanut butter or nonfat yogurt with berries.

You’ll also want to incorporate two nutrients that have been shown to lift mood, specifically omega-3 fats and folic acid.

Omega-3 fatty acids are present in the brain at higher levels than any other part of the body, and of particular interest is the ability of omega-3 fats to help alleviate depression. Omega-3 fats can be found in fatty fish like wild salmon, sardines, Atlantic mackerel … and to a lesser extent in ground flaxseeds, walnuts and omega-3 fortified eggs. If you’d like to try fish oil supplements, consult your personal physician.

Folate (also called folic acid) seems to be important for mood as well, and some studies have shown that low blood levels of this B vitamin are related to depression. If you’re experiencing the blues, be sure to include folate-rich leafy greens, sunflower seeds, soybeans, beets and oranges into your diet.

For more information on healthy eating, visit Joy Bauer’s Web site at www.joybauernutrition.com

You lean over to whisper something to your friend and you can tell by the look on your friend's face that something is up. Could it be your breath? Maybe you shouldn't have put extra onions on your hamburger at lunch. What's a kid with smelly breath to do?

The good news is that bad breath happens to everyone once in a while. Let's find out how to detect it, prevent it, and even treat it.

What's That Smell?

Bad breath is the common name for the medical condition known as halitosis (say: hal-uh-toe-sis). Many different things can cause halitosis — from not brushing your teeth to certain medical conditions.

Sometimes, a person's bad breath can blow you away — and he or she may not realize there's a problem. There are tactful (nice) ways of letting someone know about bad breath. You could offer mints or sugarless gum without having to say anything.

If you need to tell a friend he or she has bad breath, you could say that you understand foods can cause bad breath because you've had it before yourself. By letting someone know that bad breath isn't something unusual, you'll make the person feel more comfortable and less embarrassed about accepting your piece of chewing gum.

If you suspect your own breath is foul, ask someone who will give you an honest answer without making fun of you. (Just don't ask your brother or sister — they just might tell you your breath stinks even when it doesn't!) Although everyone gets bad breath sometimes, if you have bad breath a lot, you may need to visit your dentist or doctor.

What Causes Bad Breath?

Here are three common causes of bad breath:

• foods and drinks, such as garlic, onions, cheese, orange juice, and soda
• poor dental hygiene (say: hi-jeen), meaning you don't brush and floss as you should
• smoking and other tobacco use

Poor oral hygiene leads to bad breath because when you leave food particles in your mouth, these pieces of food can rot and start to smell. The food particles may begin to collect bacteria, which can be smelly, too. Plus, by not brushing your teeth regularly, plaque (a sticky, colorless film) builds up on your teeth. Plaque is a great place for bacteria to live and yet another reason why breath can turn foul.

Preventing Smelly Breath

So what's a kid to do? Don't smoke or use tobacco products, of course. And take care of your mouth by brushing your teeth at least twice a day and flossing once a day. Brush your tongue, too, because bacteria can grow there. Flossing once a day helps get rid of particles wedged between your teeth. Also, visit your dentist twice a year for regular checkups and cleanings.

Not only will you get a thorough cleaning, the dentist will look around your mouth for any potential problems, including those that can affect breath. For example, gum disease, also known as periodontal (say: per-ee-uh-don-tul) disease, can cause bad breath and damage your teeth.

If you're concerned about bad breath, tell your doctor or dentist. But don't be surprised if he or she leans in and take a big whiff! Smell is one way doctors and dentists can help figure out what's causing the problem. The way a person's breath smells can be a clue to what's wrong. For instance, if someone has uncontrolled diabetes, his or her breath might smell like acetone (the same stuff that's in nail polish remover).

If you have bad breath all the time and the reason can't be determined by your dentist, he or she may refer you to a doctor to make sure there is no other medical condition that could be causing it. Sometimes sinus problems, and rarely liver or kidney problems, can cause bad breath.

Usually, there's a less complicated reason for a kid's bad breath — like what you had for lunch. So keep up with your brushing and flossing and you should be breathing easy — and odor free!