Tag Archives: Asthma Doctors

Early Asthma Attack Warning Signs to Watch out for

When you have an asthma attack, you will feel your asthma symptoms suddenly worsening, and that is caused by muscle tightening of muscles on your airways. The tightening is known as bronchospasm and when you have an asthma attack, the lining of your airways become inflamed or swollen. You will start to produce thicker mucus and a lot more. These factors like inflammation, bronchospasm and mucus production can cause an asthma attack like wheezing, trouble breathing, shortness of breath, coughing, and challenge in performing daily activities.

Before you call up your asthma doctor, you should be well aware of those signs and what you can do to stop them from getting worse. Read on to find out more.

Warning Signs of an Asthma Attack

Breathing changes
Mucus changes (sputum)
Congested/runny/stuffy nose
Sneezing
Your throat is sore/itchy/scratchy
Itchy chin or beck
Watery/itchy eyes
Dark eye circles
You are always feeling tired, weak, or fatigued
Moody
Feverish
Restless
Dry mouth or hoarse voice
Not sleeping properly
Headache
Paleness
Anxious
Excitable
Chest pain
Symptoms worsen despite taking medications

Some asthma patients can go for long periods without experiencing an asthma attack or other symptoms as well. The interrupted worsening of symptoms because of asthma trigger exposure like exercise or cold air exposure are also signs.

It is generally more common to experience asthma attacks. Normally, it takes a few minutes to a couple of hours for the airways to open up after treatment. Severe asthma attacks are not as common, but they last longer and need medical help right away. Treating and recognizing mild symptoms early on is important because it will prevent you from having severe episodes.

Severe Asthma Emergency Symptoms

Worsening asthma
Worse shortness of breath
Your skin is sucked in around the neck or ribs
Experience trouble in walking or talking because of shortness of breath
Breathing becomes hard and fast
You cough a lot
Shoulders are hunched over
The asthma quick-relief and medicine are not helping at all
Your nostrils are wide open (could be rare if you are an adult)
Fingernails or lips are blue

What to Do During an Asthma Attack

If someone is experiencing a milk asthma attack, all they could need is an asthma medication, like a quick-acting inhaler. Some mild attacks may sometimes go away on their own.

It is essential that people who have asthma consult with their healthcare team about an action plan. This plan helps in guiding people on how their asthma can be treated, based on the symptoms they go through and what can be done.

A person would have to carry an inhaler and reliever with them, which can have asthma medication to relax their muscles in the airways. The medications can include rapid onset, short-acting, and anticholinergic bronchodilators.

The asthma attack can be dealt with by trying these first:

Sitting upright
Staying relaxed and calm
Using quick-acting medications, normally use a blue inhaler, and following an action plan for asthma
Call an emergency medical hotline if the symptoms worsen or if the medications are not helping

Your Asthma is Not Well-Controlled if:

You have asthma symptoms 2 times a week or more
You are taking quick-relief medications more than twice a month
You need to take corticosteroids more than twice a year

Asthma Symptoms Act up at Night

You will have nighttime asthma if it is uncontrolled and has something to do with your body rhythms and hormone changes. You can sleep through the night if your asthma is well-managed.

You can also go to an allergy specialist doctor Manassas VA for better asthma management.

Why is Asthma Worse at Night?

Having interrupted sleep makes you feel tired throughout the day, and it will have negative effects on your health in the long run. You do not want this to become regular because you need the energy to tackle daily challenges. When you wake up in the middle of the night because of a coughing fit or you are having a hard time breathing, the experience can get terrifying.

The unfortunate thing is that asthma patients have to deal with that, especially if they do not see their asthma doctor regularly. When your asthma gets worse at night, you are not alone because it is very common. Sometimes, experts call this nocturnal asthma, and it makes it very hard for you to get the rest you need.

Asthma Attack Triggers

People experience different asthma triggers. Some people get triggered due to allergens exposure like grass or dust mites. Other people are triggered by irritants like strong odors or chemicals. Respiratory illnesses that are accompanied by mucus drainages like sinusitis or colds increase the chances of an asthma attack. Weather changes and exercise can also trigger attacks. There are people who may discover that more than one thing increases the possibility of an asthma attack, and can worsen at night.

Factors that Contribute to Nocturnal Asthma

For some reason, asthma gets worse at night. This problem is serious and most deaths from asthma are because of wheezing or other symptoms at night.

The factors are:

Gastrointestinal reflux disease (GERD)
Dust mites or other allergens
Overproduction of mucus
Higher level of histamine
Breathing in cold air
Lower epinephrine levels
Sleep apnea
Obesity
Not elevating the head while sleeping
Psychological stress

Nocturnal asthma can be caused just by seeping because the bronchial function changes. During sleep, the airways become narrow and it creates more resistance for air to come in and out of the body. This causes coughing, which further tightens the airways. After that, your sinuses will drain, and trigger asthma reactions. Therefore, breathing worsens between 4 to 6 hours after you sleep.

Other Causes

Postnasal drip – People are more prone to postnasal drip during the night. When you are laying down flat, fluid can easily drip down towards the back of your throat and causes you to start coughing. Lying down can also cause the fluid to flow from your legs to your chest, and this leads to more fluid accumulation in the airways and narrows down breathing passages.
Timing of Medication – If your asthma medication starts to wear off while you sleep, you are more likely to have nocturnal asthma.

Medication

Asthma specialists normally prescribe 2 primary medications: a long-term inhaler and a rescue inhaler. The asthma triggers are individual-specific, and people should consult with their asthma doctor to find the right care plan for them. A lot of doctors prescribe both kinds of inhalers.

Treatment

If your asthma attack wakes you up in the middle of the night, reach for your rescue inhaler. Sleeping in a more upright position is also helpful. Some people discover that drinking water eases a cough.

In case you have regular asthma symptoms during the night, talk to your healthcare provider to address the problem. It may be helpful to adjust the timing of your medication.

There are times when your healthcare might have to add or increase medication. Asthma can get worse in the long run, and if you have nocturnal asthma, your asthma care plan might need tweaking to eliminate the symptoms.

You can visit an allergist specialist Manassas VA as well to find the best asthma treatment plan for your nighttime symptoms.

What You Need to Know About Seafood Allergy

Even if the worst food allergies begin during your childhood, seafood allergy stands out. If you consult an allergist, they will tell you that seafood allergy can develop anytime in your life. However, it is more present during adulthood. It could be caused by the foods that you ate before without issues.

Seafood allergy is the most common onset food allergy among adults. Therefore, you might be surprised that one day you will just develop a seafood allergy even if you never had it before.

You will discover more about this allergy as you read further.

Which ones are Considered Seafood?

Seafood pertains to any fresh and saltwater fish, shellfish, and crustaceans. Common examples are:

Fish: Bluefish, anchovy, bass, catfish, carp, cod, char, haddock, flounder, herring, halibut, sardines, mahi-mahi, salmon, and tuna
Shellfish: Clams, abalone, mussels, conch, oysters, octopus, sea snails, scallops, and squid
Crustaceans: Crayfish, crab, prawns, shrimp, and lobster
Others: Kamaboko and surimi, caviar and roe, and tarama

It is not Rare

While figures range per country, about 1% of the population suffers from this type of allergy. Teenagers and adults experience it more compared to early childhood. Approximately 20% grows out of their allergy over time.

Symptoms of Seafood Allergy

You need to see an allergy doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms after consuming seafood:

Flushed face, rash or hives, red and itchy skin
Swelling of the eyes, lips, face, tongue, and throat
You have trouble swallowing, speaking, or breathing
Itchy skin
Vomiting, diarrhea, and cramps
You experience distress, anxiety, paleness, fainting, weakness, and a sense of doom
Your blood pressure drops, have a rapid heartbeat, and loss of consciousness

How is it Diagnosed?

Seafood allergies are more seen in adults and less common among children. An allergist will be able to confirm if you suspect that you are allergic to seafood.

Cooking Sometimes Affect Your Tolerance

Normally, seafood allergens are heat stable and cooking cannot easily destroy them, but sometimes individuals can tolerate tinned fish. However, they are unable to tolerate the same type of fish if it is freshly cooked. You should not try tinned fish unless your doctor advises you to.

How You Can Avoid Seafood

It is easy to avoid buying or cooking seafood, but there are many ingredients added to food that is made from seafood. You must always check the labels on processed or packaged foods. Watch out for these:

Oyster sauce and fish sauce
Marinara sauce
Fish stock
Fish paste
Prawn crisps and prawn crackers
Sushi
Caesar salad
Cooking oil
Pizza
Krill or fish oil supplements
Cooking oil that was used for cooking fish

If you order a meat curry, they might have used the fish sauce to cook it. You should tell the waiters that you are allergic to seafood and your meal should not have any seafood in it, even if it is just oyster sauce or fish sauce.

Fish oil supplements are highly unlikely to cause any adverse reaction, but you should still avoid them.

Some people are extremely sensitive to any type of fish that they can react even to the steam produced from cooking fish. This is more common in children with asthma.

You should look for an allergy specialist Manassas VA who will tell you everything you should know because you should stay away from seafood no matter what.

What Should An Asthma Patient Avoid?

Do you suffer from asthma and wondering what should an asthma patient avoid? Well, to avoid having to visit your asthma doctor now and then for treatment, there are several things you should avoid. These things include:

Dust

Unless you live in rural areas where there is dirt everywhere, you should strive to stay away from dirt as much as possible. And you should start with your home.

At least once a week, give your house a thorough cleaning. You should clean every corner of the house, including the corners of the house and beddings.

Pollen

It’s not a coincidence that asthma and allergy symptoms increase when there is a high pollen count in the atmosphere.

To protect yourself, stay away from flower and tree pollen. This calls for you to avoid going outdoor during the day when the pollen count is high. If you have pollinating plants and trees in the house, get them outside.

Even if your indoor plants don’t have pollen, you should take good care of them so that they don’t form mold. This calls for you to avoid overwatering the plants. You also should keep them in a sunny area and remove as many dead plants as possible.

Pets

Pets are soothing and comforting. Unfortunately, they can be harmful to asthmatics. The reason for this is because the small fur pieces, hair particles, saliva, and skin are known to trigger asthma.

As an animal lover, it can be difficult to stay away from your dog or cat but to reduce your asthma severity, you have to keep a distance. You can give the pet to a friend or take them to a shelter. It will be difficult, but you have to do it for your health.

Wine

A glass of wine is said to be good for a healthy heart, but it can be harmful to those who have asthma. Whether it’s red, white, black, pink, or purple, wine will cause more harm than good so stay away from it.

Any type of wine is harmful because it contains sulfites, a type of preservative you find in various foods and beverages. These sulfites are known to cause asthma, so you are better off staying away from them.

Getting worked up

We are emotional beings, and it can be hard to tell someone not to be angry, frightened, or anxious, but as an asthmatic, you have no way out, other than to try to control your emotions as much as you can.

You should restrain yourself from getting worked up because by doing so, you alter your breathing, which significantly contributes to an asthmatic attack.

Smoke and kitchen aromas

These two are serious irritants to people living with asthma, so you should avoid them. An ideal situation is to stay out of the kitchen, but if you can’t, ensure the kitchen is properly ventilated.

If you don’t have the money to install a chimney or exhaust fan, install a large window that will allow the kitchen smells to escape outside.

Asthma triggering foods

Did you know there are some foods that can trigger your allergies? The common ones are eggs, soy, milk, peanuts, shrimp, fish, and others. Allergist specialist Manassas VA also report that food preservatives such as potassium bisulfate, sodium bisulfate, potassium metabisulfite and sodium sulfite can also trigger asthma.

Cold

You should stay away from the cold weather and the normal common cold. This calls for you to stay indoors during the cold season. You also should stay away from people suffering from a cold or flu. When you come into contact with anyone with flu or cold-like symptoms, wash your hands as soon as possible.

Managing Asthma During Pregnancy

Pregnancy is one of life’s greatest miracles. Going through the entire process of pregnancy can be full of ups and downs. But it will surely be worth it when you see your bundle of joy for the first time after nine months. Expect to feel all kinds of emotions while tending to your child – the good, the bad, and the ugly. Unfortunately, the “ugly” part may include other things, like having to undergo asthma treatments due to an asthma attack.

Asthma is a common condition that affects people all over the world. It can make your situation more complicated if you are pregnant. For one, asthma can compromise your unborn baby’s safety if not managed properly. To prevent future complications, you should seek an asthma doctor immediately for the sake of you both.

What triggers asthma in pregnancy?

Asthma triggers during pregnancy are mostly similar to the usual asthma symptoms. However, sensitivity to the symptoms may be increased due to hormonal changes while pregnant. For starters, common asthma triggers may include:

Respiratory illnesses including viral and bacterial infections
Allergic rhinitis
GERD (Gastroesophageal reflux disease)
Smoke (ex. cigarette smoke, smoke produced by vehicles, wood, and cooking, etc.)
Perfumes and sprays
Allergies (food, chemicals, cosmetics, pet dander, dust, etc.)
Emotional triggers (hormonal changes, stressful environment, etc.)

For allergy triggers, it is best to consult an allergy specialist doctor for proper medications suitable for your pregnancy.

How asthma can affect your unborn baby

Having asthma can affect a person’s quality of life, and can make your pregnancy complicated. The unborn baby inside your tummy needs enough oxygen to live. However, having an asthma attack can affect the amount of oxygen entering your body which can compromise your baby’s life.

You may have already been given medications by an allergist to help manage your asthma. However, you may have also considered stopping taking asthma medications when you got pregnant. This is understandable, as taking any medications may cause complications on your pregnancy.

For one, uncontrolled asthma may cause premature birth. You may also experience health complications such as hypertension or preeclampsia. In worst cases, your unborn baby may die due to lack of oxygen because of a severe asthma attack. If you have asthma prior to your pregnancy, it is best to consult an allergy physician to help manage the condition.

How to manage asthma attacks during pregnancy

Here are some tips to help you manage asthma attacks throughout your pregnancy:

Let your doctor know you have asthma.

It is said that asthma symptoms may become worse around six to eight months of pregnancy. Medications taken during or after birth are possible, but can cause discomfort and may even worsen the condition.

To prevent further complications, it is important to inform an allergist doctor about your asthma. Your doctor will help you create a plan and managing your asthma symptoms and ensure smooth and uncomplicated delivery.

Watch out for asthma symptoms.

Asthma is generally manageable even during pregnancy. Good asthma control can also ensure a normal and healthy pregnancy and delivery. Unless advised against by an allergy physician, you can still continue taking asthma medications while you’re pregnant.

Since asthma is supposed to be manageable, one of the things you should do is to watch out for its symptoms. Your symptoms may be worse than your pre-pregnancy days, so take note of that. If you are already experiencing breathing difficulties due to your asthma, head to the nearest clinic or hospital immediately. Medical personnel will conduct first aid treatment to ensure you and your unborn child are both safe.

Avoid the triggers as much as possible.

If you don’t want to experience asthma during pregnancy, avoid the triggers. At the end of the day, you and your baby’s safety should matter most. Among things you can skip to prevent asthma triggers include:

Quitting smoking or avoiding secondhand smoke
Avoid overeating and lying down after mealtime (if you have GERD)
Avoid interacting with people with infections (ex. colds and flu). Better yet, wear a protective mask when dealing with sick people
Avoid other allergy triggers (ex. foods, dust, pet dander, sprays, and perfumes)

Finding the best asthma doctors near you

Consult the best allergist in Manassas VA to help you manage asthma while you’re pregnant. Some doctors would recommend taking flu and allergy shots to prevent severe asthma attacks during the duration of your pregnancy. These medications are considered safe, but make sure to seek medical advice first before taking these.

Managing Allergy-Induced Asthma

Asthma and allergies are only some of the most common health problems. In the US alone, it is said that asthma, a type of respiratory condition, affects one out of 13 people according to a Centers for Disease Control (CDC) report. Asthma can affect one’s quality of life, so going to the nearest allergy physician near you can help manage your condition.

But you may ask: “Why should I go to an allergy clinic for my asthma condition?” As you may don’t know yet, asthma and allergies are often connected and can even occur simultaneously. This is because most asthma symptoms are similar to those of allergies. This condition is called allergy-induced asthma.

How allergies are related to asthma

Allergies can be caused by several triggers such as food, dust mites, pet dander, and pollen among a few. There are other triggers such as stress, exercise, and certain infections. These triggers can also cause asthma attacks which can be uncomfortable nonetheless.

People with a history of allergy have a higher risk of having allergic asthma. While some of these triggers can cause allergic reactions such as runny nose and skin breakout, others experience coughing and frequent sneezing.

In worse cases, affected individuals may experience shortness of breath and difficulty in breathing. When these symptoms show up, it is best to consult an allergist to help you manage the condition.

Treating asthma and allergies

There are treatments meant to manage allergy or asthma symptoms. On the other hand, there are also those that can treat both conditions. Among these include the following:

Allergy shots

Also known as immunotherapy, it can help treat asthma symptoms by reducing your body’s reactions to allergic triggers. Allergy shots are applied through scheduled injections of small amounts of allergens which cause allergic reactions.

The entire treatment process will be done in a course of about three to five years. Doing so can help build tolerance from the said allergens. In effect, symptoms can eventually decrease and more manageable than before. The procedure should only be done by an allergy specialist doctor.

Montelukast

Also called Singulair or Leukotriene modifier, this comes in a pill form and is usually taken daily. This medication promises to provide relief from asthma and allergy symptoms. Likewise, it helps manage chemicals that are released in case of allergic reactions.

On the downside, it is said that montelukast causes suicidal and other psychological tendencies. Consult an asthma doctor first before taking this medication. If you are already taking this, seek medical help immediately if you notice the aforementioned symptoms.

Anti-immunoglobulin E immunotherapy

This type of allergy treatment aims to control and manage the chemicals that trigger allergic reactions. One of the most common anti-immunoglobulin E treatments is Xolair. This therapy is only used for patients with up to severe asthma symptoms.

Other treatments for allergy-induced asthma include:

Bronchodilators – helps you breathe easier
Anti-inflammatory medications – helps reduce swelling (ex. skin rashes due to allergic reactions) as well as relieve asthma symptoms
Other medications that block the chemicals causing the allergic reactions

Managing allergies and asthma symptoms

Asthma and allergies can greatly affect one’s quality of life. That is why it is important to identify what your triggers are so you can properly manage your condition. But sometimes, symptoms may change without warning. Nonetheless, you can still manage your allergy and asthma – along with medical help, of course.

First of all, it is important to know what triggers your allergic reactions so you can avoid it beforehand. For example, it may be wise not to have pets at home if you are allergic to pet dander. If you cannot imagine not having a pet, you can opt for “hypoallergenic” pets. However, it is still best to consult an allergy specialist near you if you want to have a pet at home.

People with asthma may have multiple triggers, which is why it is important to identify those symptoms as well. That way, you can easily manage them and be provided the right treatments for your condition. The adage, “Prevention is better than cure”, says true about this kind of situation.

You can still live a normal life despite having allergies

Having allergies and asthma can affect one’s daily life. That is why you should monitor your symptoms and consult the best allergist in Germantown MD. Contact one and avail of a free consultation today.

The Challenges of Smoking With Asthma, and Why You Should Quit Now!

Millions of people smoke, despite the potential health risk it brings. More so, it can be more dangerous for those with asthma. For those with asthma symptoms, it is best to take asthma treatments as prescribed by the best allergist in your area.

It is said that tobacco smoke is one of the most common asthma triggers, among a few. Tobacco smoke can irritate the airways and produce mucus in the lungs. It also weakens the power of cilia, tiny hairs found in the lungs that help get rid of the excess mucus out of our airways. A weakened cilium means the person can be more prone and at higher risk of asthma symptoms.

Facts about asthma and smoking

As mentioned, millions of people around the world smoke. It can be in a form of tobacco or vape. Surprisingly, more than 20 percent of people suffering from asthma still smoke cigarettes. This is even though smoking can worsen their asthma symptoms. An allergist would also strongly advise against smoking, more so if you have asthma.

Other facts about the link between smoking and asthma are the following.

Tobacco smoke is the second most common cause of asthma attacks. Symptoms can also be severe for smokers with severe asthma.
It is estimated that there are about 1,300 deaths that occur daily due to smoking.
Second-hand smoke is more dangerous than smoking first-hand.

So if you have asthma and still smoke, you might want to reconsider putting that tobacco in your mouth. Quitting is an option, but it will be a long journey. You can also consult an allergy doctor to help manage your asthma symptoms.

Is vaping a better choice than smoking tobacco?

More and more people are using vape as they believe it is a “lesser evil” smoking option. Also known as e-cigarettes, vaping involves inhaling and exhaling vapor through an electronic smoking device. Unlike regular smoking, vaping comes in different flavors or “juices”, which makes it irresistible among the younger demographics.

Vaping devices also come in different forms such as pens and even screwdrivers. These have refillable cartridges which turn into an aerosol that you can inhale and exhale. But is vaping a safer smoking option than tobacco smoking, you might ask?

Unfortunately, vaping is also no good, especially in the long term. For one, studies have shown that prolonged use of vape puts you at a higher risk of contracting chronic bronchitis and worsen your asthma. The risk is way higher if you smoke vape and tobacco cigarettes.

Another study by the American Academy of Pediatrics reveals that young teenagers who vape are most likely to shift to regular cigarettes later on. Using e-cigs can help you stay clean from tobacco cigarettes. However, experts including your allergy physician do not support these so-called claims.

E-cigarettes also contain nicotine which is addictive but highly dangerous to health in the long run. Some studies also reveal finding formaldehyde and acetaldehyde, which can cause cancer, in e-cigarettes. More so, it can trigger asthma and even make it worse.

Staying away from smoking

If you have asthma, it is best to stay away from all kinds of cigarettes. Secondhand smoke can also cause danger to your health – twice or thrice the danger, it is. Speaking of secondhand smoke, a lot of people often don’t mind being with a smoker. They think that it won’t harm them since they are not the one smoking in the first place.

However, secondhand smoking can be worse from regular smoking. More so, it can be more dangerous especially for small children. If you want to have a second lease in life and prevent asthma attacks, quit smoking. Here are ways to stay away from the dangers of smoking.

Lessen exposure to secondhand smoke as much as possible, or none at all.
If you have asthma and want to eat in restaurants, check if there is a “non-smoking” area. Better yet, avoid dining in restaurants that allow smoking.
Quit smoking for your children. Kids suffering from asthma are twice as more likely to end up in hospitals due to asthma attacks.

Conclusion

There are a lot of reasons to quit smoking. For one, it will improve your respiratory health. It will also lessen the risk of asthma attacks and other respiratory diseases. There are also other ways to de-stress, not just smoking. If experiencing asthma symptoms, make sure to get the asthma treatments that you need. Contact the best asthma doctor in Manassas VA

Healing in the Time of COVID-19: How the Pandemic Can Help Improve the Global Healthcare System

There is no doubt of the extent of COVID-19’s impact on our daily lives. For one, we were forced to stay at home and encouraged to practice social distancing. Those with compromised immune systems should take extra caution to avoid contracting the disease.

Asthmatics should also take care of their health more than ever. You can consult an asthma doctor to help manage your condition. You might also have to keep asthma treatments in stock especially at this time of COVID-19. In extreme cases, you may have to visit an allergy clinic to prevent any symptoms from worsening.

The impact of COVID-19 on our global healthcare system

The ongoing pandemic has indeed wreaked havoc to our usual lives. Countries are focused on flattening the curve, but at the expense of millions of businesses and people’s normal routines. So far, there are already more than a million total COVID-19 cases all over the world – and still counting.

A lot of businesses have no choice but to close either for time indefinite or for good. Even first-world countries like the US and Italy got overwhelmed with COVID-19 patients flocking their hospitals. These countries, which supposed to have world-class healthcare systems, have already thousands of deaths and seem to continue to increase.

But what about other countries that do not have the same quality of healthcare as the US and Italy? We can just imagine how overwhelming it could be. The lack of healthcare equipment and facilities is another thing. Nevertheless, one thing is for sure: no country is prepared for this global pandemic.

How COVID-19 can help improve our healthcare system

Despite all the chaos that is happening right now, there are some things that we can learn from it. First of all, we learned how to wash our hands. It seems simple, but so often we forget before this pandemic started.

We also learned to take care of our health more. As mentioned, those with compromised immune systems such as asthmatics should take extra care of their health. COVID-19 can make your asthma symptoms worse that can be potentially life-threatening. An allergist specialist can also help provide treatments in case your asthma symptoms flares up.

We also realize that there is no social status when it comes to this virus. Even those in higher government positions are not susceptible to this disease. Businesses, whether start-ups and multi-billion-dollar companies, are all affected with the impact of COVID-19.

We need our front liners more than ever: healthcare personnel, store cashier, pharmacists, and everyone else who serves people in these critical times. National governments have already realized how important they are during this ongoing pandemic. For example, the US government provided paid sick leaves for these front liners.

Online consultations are also readily available for those who need advice on their medical concerns. For example, you can contact an allergy doctor in case of allergy or asthma attacks. Electronic prescriptions are also given in case you need to buy medicines.

How the healthcare system can become more efficient

About 10 percent of health workers in many countries contracted the virus. Unfortunately, a lot of our health workers around the world already succumbed to the disease.

This means critical times especially that we need them more than ever to help treat COVID-19 patients. If this continues, our healthcare system will be greatly affected, cases will soar, and the situation can last until next year or so.

That is why we need not only protect ourselves but especially our front liners, including health workers. For one, our health workers need ample supply of personal protective equipment (PPEs).

Aside from that, health workers should have shifting periods so they can rest and take care of patients more efficiently. There should also be proper training for health workers in recognizing respiratory illnesses and especially COVID-19. There should also be a strong hospital surveillance system to help prevent the further spread of the virus.

Conclusion

We will never know when this pandemic will exactly end. In the meantime, we need to protect ourselves from contracting the disease. Wash hands frequently, stay at home and pray for our front liners. Utilize the use of technology to stay connected and get the help you need.

Save important contacts such as an allergy specialist doctor if you have asthma or allergies. An allergy physician in Manassas VA can help provide medication for your condition.

When Getting Fit Does Harm than Good: Ways to Manage Exercise-Induced Asthma

To have a healthy mind and body, we need to have some kind of regular physical activity to keep your health in check. There are many reasons why we need to exercise. For one, we need to have an exercise to aid in weight loss. Regular exercise can also help in better heart health and strengthen our bones and muscles. It can also help in making us feel and look better than our actual age.

However, there are some people who dread exercise not because they do not like getting sweaty. Rather, it is because of the occurrence of exercise-induced asthma. This situation occurs when a person engages in certain physical activities and then experience difficulty in breathing. If you are one of those who experience exercise-induced asthma, you should consult an allergy doctor immediately.

What is exercise-induced asthma?

Also known as exercise-induced bronchoconstriction (EIB), exercise-induced asthma can limit one’s physical capabilities. Like any other type of asthma, it can restrict one’s breathing that can cause complications if left untreated. It occurs when there is an obstruction in airflow, especially during exercise.

EIB does not occur immediately when you begin exercising. In fact, it usually manifests itself a couple of minutes after starting exercise and may begin to get worse about 5 minutes after you stop exercising. Some even experience another “wave” of EIB 12 hours after the last exercise. Once you feel breathing difficulties, it might be a good idea to visit an asthma doctor to help manage your condition.

What triggers exercise-induced asthma?

Contrary to popular belief, EIB does not happen due to exercise itself. Rather, it can be triggered by several factors. We tend to breathe harder, faster, and deeper when we do any intense physical activities.

Also, we tend to breathe more through the mouth when we exercise. In effect, breathing through the mouth can make the air cooler and dryer. In return, the cooler and dryer air can trigger bronchoconstriction or narrowing of the airways. Apparently, EIB can be more likely to be triggered when you are doing physical activities with dry and cold air.

In addition, EIB can also be triggered by other factors such as pollution (smoke and fumes), pollen and dust, or colds. EIB can be more likely to occur if you have a history of asthma that runs through your family. In such cases, you should get asthma treatments to avoid further complications that can worsen your condition.

Symptoms and treatment

If you experience the following symptoms, you need to consult an allergist specialist for proper treatment. If left untreated, the symptoms can last for about an hour or so. It can also lead to worse complications if you do not visit an allergy physician immediately. You should look out for the following symptoms if you think you’re having an EIB attack:

Difficulty in breathing
Fatigue especially after exercising
Chest pain or tightness
Coughing/wheezing
Poor physical performance

People with a history of asthma and even professional athletes can be prone to EIB. Likewise, frequent exposure to dry and cold air, pollution, intense physical activities, and even chlorine from swimming pools can trigger EIB as well. If you are already struggling to breathe and no signs of improvement even using an inhaler, it is best to rush to the nearest allergy clinic immediately.

However, it doesn’t mean that you are already doomed not doing any kind of exercise anymore. After all, exercise is still one of the best ways to become healthy and free from certain diseases. However, you need to consider your choices when it comes to physical activities especially if you are prone to EIB.

For example, you can do some jogging or a relaxing walk instead of doing long-distance running. You can also engage in other sports and exercises that won’t take a toll on your breathing such as golf, gymnastics, or yoga. However, you can still do other intense physical activities just as long as you get the go-signal from an allergy specialist.

Keeping the mind and body healthy

Suffering from EIB does not mean you cannot do any physical activities anymore. It’s just a matter of choosing the right kind of exercise that won’t cause stress in your breathing. After all, we all need to have some kind of physical activity to be healthy physically and mentally. If you are experiencing the abovementioned symptoms of EIB, you should visit the best allergist in Germantown MD for proper treatment.

Life with Asthma: What It Feels Like, and How to Live Life Despite the Condition

It is said that asthma affects almost 4 million people around the world. It is often associated with frequent coughing and breathing difficulties. In the worst cases, some people die due to severe asthma attacks. If you or someone you know suffer from asthma symptoms, it is best to consult an asthma doctor and take asthma treatments as per prescription.

What you need to know about asthma

Asthma can be a potentially life-threatening condition if not managed well. It is a long-term medical condition that affects the airways. When the airways become inflamed due to certain triggers, it will tighten and cause breathing difficulties and the other common asthma symptoms we are familiar with.

Speaking of triggers, asthma can be due to allergic and non-allergic triggers. The former can be due to the presence of pollen, dust mites, molds, and pet dander among others. On the other hand, the latter can refer to air pollutants, intense exercise routines, and even uncontrollable emotions.

We might feel pity for seeing people experience asthma attacks. A lot of people might also think that it’s the end of the world for people with asthma since it can be a lifetime condition. However, this doesn’t mean that they cannot live their lives to the fullest. For those who suffer from asthma, it is important to follow their asthma treatments religiously to help them manage their condition better.

How it feels like to have asthma

You cannot simply imagine what it feels like to have asthma until you experience it yourself. For one thing, it is said that no two people experience the same asthma symptoms. Each of them will experience varying symptoms – from mild to severe – depending on the gravity of the condition.

Nevertheless, you should not take asthma for granted. If you experience any asthma symptoms, you should visit an allergist immediately. As to what it feels like to experience asthma attacks, some of those who experienced it first-hand described it as gasping for air like a fish that has been out of water.

Others described having asthma as if a large object is sitting on their chest – it was definitely hard to breathe according to these asthma sufferers. Asthma is also associated with constant coughing once the triggers occur. As a result, you have a hard time catching your breath.

Some also compared asthma attacks like breathing into a squished straw and getting their chest squeezed too much. You will also hear wheezing, which is not a normal thing when you are breathing. Regardless of how one feels, it can be one of the scariest things that can happen to you. For asthma management, make sure to visit an allergy physician for proper treatment.

Living a normal life despite having asthma

Asthma can affect one’s quality of life especially if you get exposed to certain triggers. But as mentioned, this doesn’t mean you cannot already live a normal life as possible despite having this condition. Here are some ways that can help you live normally even if you experience asthma attacks from time to time.

Be aware of your triggers.

It is important to know and identify what usually triggers your asthma so you can manage it better. For example, you need to stay away from the outdoors if you are allergic to pollen or any air contaminants. If you are allergic to pet dander, it may be a good idea not to have furry pets to lessen the risk of having asthma attacks.

Always bring an inhaler.

Inhalers have saved a lot of asthmatics thanks to its quick relief effects. Inhalers are usually prescribed by an allergy physician to provide relief from asthma attacks.

Make sure to clean your house regularly.

Some people may be allergic to dust mites and pet dander. That is why it is important to ensure cleanliness inside your home at all times. Instead of wool carpets, you can use other types of flooring such as laminate, wood, or tiles. Use vacuum cleaners with HEPA filter and clean every nook and cranny of your home.

Living life to the fullest

Even if you have asthma, it is still possible to live a normal life as long as you know how to manage it. Aside from staying away from triggers, make sure to follow your prescribed medications and visit an allergy specialist doctor in Manassas VA. Contact one today if you or someone you know have asthma symptoms.