ASTHMA SUFFERERS: PREVENT YOUR NEXT ATTACK
Tired of dealing with one asthma attack after another that leaves you
scratching your eyes, wheezing, sneezing, and gasping for breath? Millions
of people suffer from asthma, and for some, asthma attacks can be deadly.
Even if your asthma is well controlled with medication, you can still experience
symptoms when exposed to allergens—substances that cause airway inflammation.
Luckily, you can help control many of the environmental triggers you face
every day. Here’s a list of common allergens and irritants and how to avoid
them:
Pollen: Keep your house and car windows closed. Use the air conditioner
as needed. Avoid mowing lawns.
Dust mites: Keep the humidity in your home below 50 percent.
Dust often. Vacuum weekly. Wash sheets and blankets in hot water once a
week.
Animal dander: Minimize contact with pets. Don’t allow pets in
bedrooms or other areas where you spend a lot of time.
Mold: Reduce moisture in your home—particularly in bathrooms
and kitchens. Frequently clean areas prone to mold growth.
Smoke: Avoid contact with smokers. Don't use wood-burning stoves,
kerosene heaters and fireplaces.
Air pollution: On bad air quality days (go to www.epa.gov/airnow
for air quality information), avoid spending long periods of time outdoors
and limit physical exertion.
Strong odors: Limit your exposure to perfume, talcum powder,
hair spray and oil-based paints.
Excerpted from the 2006 Johns Hopkins White Paper: Lung Disorders,
copyright Medletter Associates, LLC
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