How to Live Life with Asthma

There may have been a day and age when a diagnosis of asthma could stop any man, woman, or child in their tracks. Today, however, living a full life with asthma is not an impossible task, especially if you get the help of a trained, knowledgeable allergist in Glendale, AZ. So take three deep breaths and check out these tips.

First Breath: Have a Professional in Your Corner

Actually, the first step in living life beyond asthma is making scheduled visits to an allergist who is trained to correctly guide you and is familiar with the ins and outs of asthma. Find an allergist in Glendale who knows the causes and facts of the illness and how to help you best manage life so that you will thrive.

Second Breath: Create a Plan for Treatment

When you meet with a board certified allergist, listen carefully to their instructions. They may recommend you incorporate the following into your treatment plan: medications (quick-relief and ongoing), immunotherapy injections for allergies, anti-IgE treatments, and vaccines.

A plan should have some action to it, a "what to do in case of an attack". Some circumstances are worsened by differing situations. Having an awareness of what may trigger your asthma will empower you to live the life you want.

Third Breath: Illness Reduction

Many times, asthma can be triggered by respiratory illnesses and/or pollutants in the air. Taking good care of your body and avoiding colds, the flu, and various bronchial infections will add an extra layer of protection to the care of your lungs.

Planning to Live the Life You Deserve

Having a plan in place can help you overcome many obstacles presented by asthma. Things that would otherwise be difficult (such as traveling, exercise, or pregnancy) can become not just manageable but no problem at all.

If you are ready to discuss ways to live a full life - in spite of asthma - call or schedule an appointment today with a specialist at the Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates , P.C.  Professional allergists, helping the Glendale, AZ area breathe a little easier.

Could your Asthmatic Attack be because of your Dad?

Across the U.S., more than 15 million people over the age of 18 and another 5 million under 17 have been diagnosed with the chronic disease called asthma. A diagnosis of asthma should be taken seriously, as it can lead to a life-threatening situation without any warning. 

If you are one of the millions who are living with asthma, it's important that you know the factors that increase your risk of an asthmatic attack. Knowing those risks can be the difference that saves your life.

Genetics

A pattern of allergies and asthma amongst family members could be an indication that you will be susceptible to developing this disease as well. Know your family history to determine if this is a risk factor for you. Yes, the fact that that your mom or dad has asthma - could be a predictor if you are going to have it.

Prenatal Lung Damage

When an expectant mother smokes, the fetus is subjected to the pollutants in the same manner as the woman, during the critical developmental process. Was your biological mother a smoker? This could increase your risk of allergies and/or asthma.

Also true is the fact that a premature birth can interrupt the development of a person's airways. Anyone who is born earlier than projected could have a higher susceptibility to asthma.

Chemical Pollutants

Breathing in chemicals and harsh pollutants can cause damage to the sensitive air passages that our bodies need to survive. When you are working with these substances, wearing appropriate safety gear is always recommended. Otherwise, you may find yourself in further danger of experiencing asthma for the rest of your life.

For more information on avoiding the worst of the asthma and asthmatic allergies, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C.. 

Asthma can be fatal: take steps to protect yourself!

Asthma seems to be a growing problem in Arizona. Our state sees more cases every year according to a study done by University of Arizona. Even though scientists have not yet found a cure for asthma, there are steps you can take to reduce or eliminate its risks.

Here are some points to keep in mind for guarding against this sometimes fatal disease that relates to how inflammation in the lungs causes breathing difficulties.

Is Phoenix to blame?

Specialists know that there is not one specific cause of asthma, but there is plenty of evidence that it can be managed if you pinpoint what triggers your attacks. Keep in mind the Phoenix desert is prone to many allergens. Here are some of the known causes:

1. Heredity (yes, family genetics comes into play again!)
2. Exposure to allergens at a young age
3. Environmental conditions (pollen, pollution)
4. Mold and mildew
5. Chemical products such as cleansers and perfume
6. Animal dander from pets
7. Other: Non allergic asthma can be caused by reflux disease, inappropriate exercise, weather or various illnesses. 

Protect Your Lungs:

The main focus for preventing asthma is to protect the bronchial in your lungs. Inflammation can lead to coughing, chest tightness, shortness of breath and weakened response to allergens. Obviously, all asthma patients should avoid smoking or breathing in any substances that make symptoms worse. 

Learn Your Triggers:

There are many possible triggers to asthma attacks, but they can also be categorized into groups, as listed above. You can learn what elements or conditions affect your illness by eliminating items such as certain foods, chemicals or indoor plants one at a time. Lifestyle plays a huge role in managing your disease, so pay attention to nutrition, exercise and a sense of well being. 

Asthma…. Way more common than you think!

Although asthma can be managed relatively easily, it remains a potentially deadly illness. While genetics can play a large role in the development of asthma, environmental factors can also cause a person to develop the illness. Nor does a person have to be born with it. Specialty Asthma and Allergy Doctors  see thousands of adults a year who never suffered as children. Furthermore,  the American Academy of Allergy Asthma & Immunology, roughly 8% of adults in the US had asthma.

A number of factors may increase your asthma risk:

Allergens both inside the home, such as dust mites and pet dander, and outside, such as pollens and dust.

Smoke, whether from a smoker or fire, can be both a factor and trigger for asthma.

Certain chemicals used for cleaning, particularly those that have fumes or include particles that can be airborne.

Environmental pollution can be a significant cause for the development of asthma, and allergies. If you live in an area where smog is a frequent problem, particularly in the summer months, this can be a serious problem for your lungs, even beyond causing the development of asthma.

Acid reflux, more commonly known as heartburn, can contribute to the development of asthma. When the digestive system pushes food back up the esophagus, stomach acid is included with the food, burning the esophagus. With the close proximity of the esophagus and airway passages, the acid may also trigger asthma.

Obesity is also a likely contributing factor as a greater percentage of those who have asthma are obese, compared to those who are overweight or at a normal weight.

Asthma: Factors That Increase Your Asthma Risk & Decrease Your Health

Asthma is one of the most insidious diseases around. It comes on without warning and is seemingly exacerbated by a host of unrelated issues. In short, it is a real impediment for sufferers who want to live life to the fullest. With those facts in mind, here are a few things that our Arizona asthma doctors want the sufferer to be made aware of  order to minimize their susceptibility to the disease:

Man-made pollutants – Smoke, sulfites and other airborne particulates created by modern technology are a significant trigger of asthma attacks in the Phoenix area. Remaining indoors while at home or keeping the windows up while traveling are simple fixes that can really help during the allergy season.

Natural substances – It is not just man-made irritants that are a problem as everything from pollen and pet dander to dust mites and particles of cockroach waste can trigger an allergic reaction in susceptible individuals.

Food allergies – While generally not recognized by the general public, anaphylactic shock from food allergies is one of the most potent promoters of asthma in an unsuspecting patient. The body's natural desire to rid itself of the

Phoenix and the surrounding Maricopa County area is just now starting to hit the worst part of the allergy season – September through the end of November. For more information on avoiding the worst of the asthma and asthmatic allergies, please contact us at Adult & Pediatric Allergy Associates, P.C..

Do I Have Asthma, or am I Just Out of Shape?

Can’t make it to a 10 count without gasping for air? It may not be an exercise routine that’s too difficult for you – it may be asthma, or exercise-induced bronchospasm (EIB) to be precise. How can your Phoenix asthma specialist tell the difference?

Diving into EIB:

One in 10 experience exercise-induced bronchospasm – when airway muscle spasms constrict airflow. This asthma-related coughing or shortness of breath typically occurs 5 to 10 minutes after exercise starts or ends. It is typically accompanied by wheezing, chest tightness, and fatigue, and may be more pronounced in cold, dry environments.

Drop and give me 20:

A  Phoenix asthma specialist can diagnose this condition with the help of breathing tests performed after exercise and while resting. They will also take a thorough medical history to identify other potential triggers, which can worsen this condition, such as air pollution, high pollen counts and respiratory infections.

Reaching your potential:

Luckily, a diagnosis of EIB doesn’t mean the end of exercise goals. A trained allergy and asthma doctor can help you reach new heights with lifestyle changes and proper treatment, including:

• Proper hydration.
• Effective warm-ups and cool-downs that will benefit your condition.
• The prescription of inhaled bronchodilators such as albuterol or formoterol before exercise as bronchospasm prevention or as needed for symptom relief.
• Identifying environmental triggers.
• Advice on new exercise routines or ways to minimize exposure to environmental triggers, such as wearing a scarf during cold weather, exercising in a climate-controlled environment, and more.

Tired of struggling through your exercise routine? Don’t throw in the towel – take it to the next level. Find a Phoenix asthma specialist near you today.

Egg Allergy: Unscrambling the Symptoms

If you or your child aren’t feeling on the sunny side after your morning scramble, it could be egg allergy. The second most common food allergy after milk, egg allergy reactions can vary from person to person, making them difficult to confirm without a food allergy skin test.

An omelet of allergy symptoms:

Reactions to egg in allergic individuals can vary drastically each time they occur, and can include…

• Skin inflammation or hives (the most common reaction).
• Runny nose and sneezing.
• Congestion, coughing, wheezing, chest tightness or shortness of breath.
• Digestive upset: cramps, nausea, vomiting.
• Anaphylaxis, a life-threatening emergency presenting as dizziness, rapid pulse, constriction of airways and swelling of the throat that make it difficult to breathe.

Don’t let egg allergies poach your health:

If these symptoms are experienced shortly after eating eggs or egg-containing foods, an immediate consultation with an allergist including an allergy skin test is warranted, as reactions could worsen rapidly or over time.

Egg allergy skin tests are over-easy:

To confirm the allergy, a drop of liquid egg extract is placed on the skin of the forearm or back, which is then gently punctured by a special device. If the skin reddens, or more importantly, if it swells, the egg allergy is confirmed.

Hard boiled treatment:

Living with an egg allergy mostly involves a little foresight and common sense. Those effected by egg allergy are advised to have quick access to an epinephrine auto-injector in case of anaphylactic reaction. As is apparent, eggs and products containing eggs should be avoided. Be sure to read the labels of all packaged food products, which are required to list use of eggs on the label. Common sources include:

Pasta/macaroni

Baked goods

Mayo

Marshmallows

Nougat

Marzipan

Meringue

Surimi

Lecithin

Albumin

Take charge of your health and start looking on the sunnier side of things. Uncover the truth. Schedule a food allergy skin test at an allergy doctor near you today.