My Story: Theresa and Severe Asthma

My Story: Elizabeth and Severe Asthma

Thunderstorms Can Trigger Serious Asthma Attacks

Understanding Eosinophils and E-Asthma

5 Terms E-Asthma Patients Should Understand

How the Severity of Asthma Is Diagnosed

Ask the Experts: Asthma Symptoms

Ask the Experts: Asthma Risks Factors

Ask the Experts: Asthma Treatments

There are two ways as a doctor we measure whether a patient's asthma is under control. The first is based on the number of symptoms they're having, and the other would be the measurement of their airflow limitation. With regards to symptoms, we would want to know if patients are short of breath, if they're coughing or if they are needing to use their albuterol inhaler and how frequently. 

In general we like to see people use their albuterol or rescue inhaler less than twice a week, we also want to see symptoms be present less than once a day. If your symptoms are present more than once a day or you're needing to use you albuterol inhaler more than twice a week, you probably need to increase the amount of maintenance medication you're taking. 

In addition to the symptoms, we also look at the airflow limitaion there are two ways that this can be followed. The first would be to come in to the office and have a breathing test called sperometry/g performed. This can be performed at any [xx] office and in most internal medicine offices. 

In addition to sperometry/g a lot of patients are given home peak flow meters which they can blow into and record their own air flow limitation at home. If you feel your asthma is out of control, or you are having frequent symptoms it's important for you to be in touch with your provider, it's also important that you carry around your albuteral rescue inhaler wherever you go. 

  

How Do I Know My Asthma Is Under Control?

Allergic rhinitis and asthma are both common conditions. While exact numbers are hard to pin down, it is estimated that 25 million adults and children in the United States have allergic rhinitis and another 25 million have asthma.

While they are different conditions, there is overlap. Many people who are diagnosed with <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/what-you-need-to-know-about-asthma">asthma</a> also have allergic rhinitis, and the most common type of asthma is allergic asthma, where allergens act as triggers for asthma symptoms.

What are allergies? 
An allergy is an immune system reaction to a harmless substance. Normally, the immune system reacts to get rid of germs and heal injuries. You sneeze to rid your nasal passages of germs. Your eyes water to keep harmful particles out. A sprained ankle swells as the area is flooded with fluid and white blood cells. All of these things are appropriate immune responses.

With an allergy, your immune system reacts to things that normally do not trigger any kind of immune response. People are allergic to all sorts of things, including foods, bites and stings from insects, materials and medications. Anything that causes an allergic response is called an allergen.

Allergic rhinitis is inflammation of the nasal membranes that results from allergic reactions. Its symptoms are what we typically call &ldquo;allergies,&rdquo; and include nasal congestion, sneezing and irritated eyes, as well as a sore or scratchy throat, coughing, hives and headaches. Common allergens for allergic rhinitis include pollen, mold spores, pet dander and <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/allergy/article/eliminate-dust-mites-stop-sneezing">dust mites</a>. You may also hear allergic rhinitis referred to as seasonal allergies, hay fever or indoor and outdoor allergies.

What is asthma? 
Asthma is a chronic condition in which the lungs and the airways&mdash;the tubes that carry air to and from the lungs&mdash;become inflamed. This inflammation causes the airways to spasm, and also causes an excess amount of mucus that blocks the airways. This makes it difficult to breathe normally.

Wheezing, coughing, tightness in the chest and feeling out of breath or shortness of breath are all symptoms of asthma. These symptoms can range from mild to severe. An asthma attack (also called an exacerbation or a flare-up) occurs when asthma symptoms become severe.

Asthma can be triggered by a variety of things&mdash;physical exercise, cold air, tobacco smoke and stress can all trigger asthma symptoms. Many people have more than one asthma trigger.

How are asthma and allergies connected? 
The most common type of asthma is <a href="https://www.sharecare.com/health/asthma-respiratory-problems/article/how-manage-allergic-asthma">allergic asthma</a>; approximately 60 percent of people who are diagnosed with asthma have allergic asthma. With allergic asthma, allergens trigger asthma symptoms. This includes skin and food allergens as well as allergens like pollen, pet dander, mold and dust mites.

Though they are different conditions, both allergic rhinitis and asthma are inflammatory disorders, and both involve similar immune responses in the body. It is common for people diagnosed with asthma to also have allergic rhinitis, and allergic rhinitis is a risk factor for developing asthma.

If you have symptoms of allergies, asthma or allergic asthma, or have been diagnosed with any of these conditions, it&#39;s important to work with your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis and come up with a treatment plan to address your symptoms.

It is also important to understand that conditions like these can change over time and increase your risk for things like sinus infections, bronchitis and pneumonia. See your healthcare provider anytime you start to experience new symptoms, your symptoms worsen or your symptoms are not responding to treatment.

Is It Asthma, Allergies or Both?

Throwing up and poor oral hygiene are two weird ways to pick up a lung infection.

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Any patient with a history of pulmonary disease will have a problem with shortness of breath and this can lead to anxiety. Anxiety in COPD can be a spiral that can be difficult to get out of. As patients feel short of breath they become anxious about their disease and they start trying to breathe harder. 

This works against them and can make their symptoms even worse. It's important with any COPD treatment that patients try to have ways to deal with their stress. Whether it be breathing exercises or any general stress reduction techniques. 
  

How does Stress Reduction Help Control COPD?

Eat better to breathe better! Oranges, onions and other everyday foods can help alleviate asthma and COPD. Learn more in this video.

5 Foods That Can Alleviate Asthma

Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease makes breathing difficult, but a few simple changes to your diet may help.

Lung health