Asthma
Asthma questions and answers
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Q: Asthma????
Is it possible that i might have asthma? I have spells where it seems hard to take a full breath and times where it doesnt bother me at all. And is it possible that it could spring up overnight? Cause i have had some problems before when running, but three days ago i just woke up with the problem in the morning, and it doenst bother me when im sleeping or right after i get up...What could i have? Asthma?
A: I've had asthma for 19 years and what you describe does sound like it. Many things can trigger asthma and it's different for everyone. While running or waking up short of breath in the morning could affect one person, it doesn't mean someone else with asthma will have the same symptoms. Asthma can come and go and you can go through cycles where it's worse at one point and better at others.
The best thing to do is talk to your doctor and talk to him or her about your treatment options. You should get a rescue inhaler that you can use whenever you have an acute attack. They might recommend that you go on a daily preventative medicine, also.
Q: How is exercise induced asthma different to regular asthma?
My asthma only kicks in whenever I begin to run or jog, and it always last for the first 15 minutes making breathing difficult. But I refuse to use an inhaler and I push through and keep running even though the air going in to my lungs is tiny. After a while my chest loosens up and my breathing returns to normal. So how is my asthma different to regular asthma?
A: I have exercise induced asthma and at times I can deal with it without my inhaler but I find it's easier just to take the inhaler if it's not cleared out so I can breathe properly, hence a better run. I also have asthma of other triggers (dust, pets etc)
They're the same thing, sometimes you can work it thru on your own but I just don't see the point to '*suffer* if I don't have to. I'll do it for a few mins etc but if it's not improving (and sometimes it can) I inhale-I don't care how it looks. It's not fun not being able to breathe!
Q: Is someone in a household has asthma, is raising a cat a bad idea?
I have a short hair cat that I've had for 2 years now, and my father who has asthma says that we need to get rid of her because she'll irritate his asthma. I love my cat, but of course my father comes first, but I need to confirm whether cats irritate asthma or not. What do you think / know about this?
Also, she has been peeing and pooping sometimes in random places (she is litter trained but she's been bad ever since about a year ago) How can I fix this?
A: There is a lot of varying factors that could play into this. Some asthma patients have irritation and inflammation of the bronchi from different reasons. Usually, they have nothing to do with the cat. With cat allergies, it is usually an allergy to the cat's saliva - you know, the human petting the cat after the cat has cleaned himself with his tongue. Then they touch their mouth and nose and face. Jus relax, don't be silly about the cat. In all likelihood, there will be no problem relative to the cat bothering the asthma.
as far as the pooping problem - have you moved her stuff? is her food and water close to the litter box? Can she always get to her potty easily? If so, clean everything, put in new litter and put her in a secluded room for a few hours. During her seclusion, go in a visit with her, love her and pet her. Keep the littler box very clean. If you do this for a couple of days, then leave her out longer and longer, she should be solid on where she should do her business. Sometimes an illness or changes in routine can bring about a bit of a rebellion. I have a persian that if I miss cleaning the litter box, she will go poop on the dog blankets/beds. She will not use a dirty litter box. Just help her out, break it down for her, and she will understand. Cats are smart and clean and neat unless they are expressing a problem. We, as cat mommies, just have to learn to listen. goodluck
Q: How do you make your asthma lighter without an inhailer?
I made my school's basketball team and it involves a lot of running. No matter what I do I end up getting an asthma attack. So do u guys have any tips on getting ready for running a lot. Anything that helps the best will get 10 points.
A: That's tough. I don't really know what to do. I have exercise-induced asthma too. Maybe you can try warming up more before you start the heavy running? Make sure you take your inhaler before practice if you doctor prescribed you to and be careful. That is pretty tight that you made your team though, you proved that even with asthma you can make the team. ;) So hopefully things get better man, and I think people will understand that you have asthma and have to take precautions.
Q: I start wheezing and chest gets congested could it be asthma or my heart?
I get really short of breath and my chest feels congested if I walk up a step hill or exert myself. I start coughing up flem and then after a while once I relax it will just go away. What could this be asthma or my heart?
P.S.
I am not a smoker.
A: Well, I myself have asthma and I can tell you some of the symptoms that you might experience if you have it.
- Shortness of breath, sometimes out of nowhere or when exercising and when you are scared or anxious
- Pain in your chest sometimes in random moments (this is a sign that you need your inhaler and need to see a school nurse, if in school)
- Chest congestion, when your chest has a slight bit of fluid or something when listened to by a stethoscope. It usually feels as if you have mucus in your chest
- Wheezing is when you have to use extra force to get carbon dioxide out of your lungs. I do this right before an asthma attack. It sounds as if you are blowing air out of a slightly blocked straw.
- Chest tightness is also something you should get used to if you have asthma. I have it 24/7. I can't get a deep breath at all and if you have it, you should see how much lung capacity you have by getting a peak flow test.
If you have any of these symptoms, you should see your General Practioner about getting an inhaler and an asthma controlling medication.
Q: What natural remedies will work for my 8 year old with asthma?
My 8 year old suffers from asthma, coughing which is brought up with a cold and she coughs alot. Is there a good homeopathic remedy or something else thats better that I could give her that will stop the coughing? I tried Respiractin and that doesn't seem to help her.
A: Don't mess around with substances that could have no effect or a terrible side effect. You are not an herbalist, nor a doctor, which are your two choices at this point.
Asthma can come along slowly, with minor difficulty breathing and then out of the blue, your daughter will not be able to breathe, at all, and when that happens, if you don't have something sure fire on hand to stop it cold, she will die. There will be nothing you can do about it and mouth to mouth doesn't do any good if the lungs are closed or the throat is swollen.
I understand your point of view about homeopathic medicine, and share your inclination but an eight year old with asthma is not a suitable candidate for such treatment and any holistic provider would tell you the same thing.
So, try what you want but always keep an emergency inhaler on hand and also an epi kit for when the inhaler doesn't work.
Q: How does having asthma make you more susceptible to colds?
I was just wondering how asthma does this. Does it supress the immune system? I was just wondering because this is the 2nd cold I've had this month and the 4th since October. Before my asthma became bad I hardly ever caught colds and I've always eaten healthily.
A: I found a website that has a lot of information on Asthma. Take a look at the information and there may be suggestions on what you can do to prevent the colds.
Q: How can I tell if my asthma inhaler worked?
Hello, I was diagnosed with asthma and got an inhaler yesterday. It is asmanex, it says that the powder is so fine that I might not be able to taste or feel it, and being the first time I used it I am really not sure if anything happened. I breathed in and felt nothing, but I am not even sure if I used it correctly or if it did anything because it says I might not taste/feel anything.
Can anyone give me any advice on whether it worked or not? Thank you!
Also, it would be helpful if anyone has any tips to using it. Thank you again!
A: I've been using Asmanex for a few months, and you can't feel anything at all when you use the inhaler. This is because it is a dry powder inhaler, not an aerosol. To use it, first twist the inhaler until it clicks into place. Then take a breath and let it out as completely as possible. Put the inhaler in your mouth and sharply inhale, then hold the medicine in your lungs for as long as you can. Exhale and breathe normally. Rinse your mouth with water to remove excess medicine (the pamphlet says it can cause sores or oral thrush). It take 2 or 3 weeks before Asmanex will prevent asthma symptoms, but it has helped me. If you have an actual asthma attack, you should use your rescue inhaler (usually albuterol) for immediate relief.
Q: When is the earliest asthma can be diagnosed in a baby?
My baby is almost 6 months old. She's on a neb every 4-6 hours because of bronchitis, but her doctor said it could be an early sign of asthma. Now she went to the doctor today for fever and a cough and they said it was her air ways and "asthma like symptoms". But they told me they can't diagnose her yet.
A: Many doctors wait until they are 2. No reason just a habit. We had a doctor that called it reactive airway diesease. They treat the symptoms anyway.
Q: What are some home remedies to relieve asthma symptoms?
I have recently been diagnosed with asthma. Since I am very susceptible to the side affects of my inhaler, are there any home remedies in case it gets a little hard to breathe? I'm just talking about when my breathing is a little bit below normal capacity.
I'm looking for nonmedicated solutions, and not solutions for actual attacks, but when it feels mildly uncomfortable. I have a daily inhaler and a rescue inhaler in case of a serious attack.
A: Some things I do are drink small sips of hot water, caffeine (helps open the airways), and rest as much as possible.
Q: How do I tell my friend his smoking is effecting my asthma?
I recently been diagnosis w/ asthma. Today I almost pass out from second hand smoke @ work. My co-worker smokes but also let his clothes smoke with him - After his smoke break I literally have to leave - he knows I have asthma - how can I tell him without consequences from manager and other co-workers or making him feel bad?
A: sorry, but I think you are over-reacting. If the smell of the smoke on his clothes is causing that bad of a reaction then the exhaust of cars next to the building should do even worse...and god forbid you ever go anyplace with a woodstove or fireplace.
If you are that sensitive to fragrances then perfumes, candles, etc would also be horrible...so unless you are ready for that response from him..that everyone in the office needs to use all natural products with no scents and nobody can wear perfume or hair gel, etc...and that you will be wearing a filter mask outside because of car exhausts, pollution, etc. I really wouldn't try to complain if I were you. Second hand smoke (unless you are in an enclosed non-ventilated space while someone is actually smoking) is an easy scapegoat..but in reality it is much less irritating and damaging then pollution, car exhaust, fragrances, candles, woodsmoke, etc to asthma. Obviously if he were smoking in the office with you then you might have a justified complaint..or in a car with you, etc...but the fact that he is smoking outside on his break, is not something you have the right to complain about the smell on his clothes, asthma is not something you get to use as an excuse. You have the responsibility to get your asthma under control or to make changes yourself because of your asthma..others do not have the responsibility to make changes for or because of you..unless they chose to do so.
If your asthma is that out of control you should be on sick leave, talk to your doctor about disability.
Q: What are good cardio workouts for people with asthma?
Allergy season is coming and my asthma will be aggravated, especially when running. Any suggestions on good cardio that I can sustain and keep up my exercise routine much appreciated. FYI: I use Advair.
A: Work into things slowly by building up your lungs and body. You can do any workout, but I would definetly reccommend starting with walking or swimming and getting into higher impact cardio after more training.
Also, tell your doctor what you are doing, and he/she may prescribe an inhaler (albuterol) to alleviate your problems.
Q: Why when I have an asthma attack albuterol does not work but coughing deep to where I vibrate my lungs helps?
Whenever I have an asthma attack albuterol does not work. The only thing that works is coughing really hard until my lungs vibrate really hard and then my asthma goes away. Why is this?
how would flomax work?
I am on advair. albuterol. and xolair twice a month.
A: You need a pulmonary function test. If a bronchodilator works. Maybe you have copd and not asthma.
Q: What is the difference between an allergy and asthma attack?
I understand that an allergen can cause an allergy attack which triggers histamine production, etc. But what's the difference between 'allergy' and 'asthma'?
A: The term 'Asthma' would intersect with the broad group called 'allergic attack'. Sometimes, asthma is precipitated by an allergy, sometimes it is unknown. Sometimes, an allergy leads to an asthmatic attack, but sometimes, it manifests in another way (eg swollen lips, unconsciousness from anaphylaxis, etc). Both lead to histamine production.